Question:
I have mass health in boston, Ma and want to know of a wait to be approved

I have did my research on my insurance which is mass health. They require a 6month supervised diet program in order to get the gastric bypass. I am going for my 4 month visit Jan 10 2007. I will be finish March 14 2007. I just want to know if anybody else have mass health and long did they take to approved you? If you was denied and why cause I want to made sure I have everything in the first cause april 7-10 is a very good time for me.    — griffith (posted on December 27, 2006)

December 27, 2006
Gastric Bypass is not necessarily the answer.,.. I had it in Aug 2004. Started out at 400 lbs and lost 150. Have gained back almost 50 lbs and have constant abdominal pain. Please research greatly before choosing to have this surgery...don't listen to the cheerleaders...I sometimes think I would have been better off in the long run without having surgery... email me at [email protected]
   — gerardlovesjoy

December 28, 2006
Then Joy was not following the Dr's instructions to the letter, or just not exercising. This surgery is a VERY useful tool but will NOT do all the work for you.
   — KathleenW

December 28, 2006
Kathie, If your insurance doesn't require a referral to a surgeon's office; check Mass Health website to see if they have certified any bariatric clinics. Then, if you don't require a referral, contact the surgeon's office to set up an appointment. By the time you have completed your 6 months supervised program, you'll have your first visit with the surgeon. If the surgeons office is already familiar with your insurance company requirements, they will ask if you have completed the 6 months Most clinics require the patient to attend an informative seminar prior to meeting with the surgeon. If the clinic is associated with a hospital, there is usually information on the website. So by the time you attend the seminar and get an appt with the surgeon you will have completed your six month program. After you have had chest x-rays, blood work and psyche eval, the surgeon will then submit the paperwork for approval. I was approved 2-3 weeks after all of my prelim test results where submitted. I wasn't in a big hurry though. So if you are desiring to have the surgery in April, I'd suggest contacting the surgeon now to get in their system.
   — the7thdean