Question:
Should I continue with the process of approval?

I recently had a pre-op visit with Dr. Smith, Rocky Mountain Associates, Salt Lake City, and was told that unless I walked out of there and died the next day, Utah Medicaid would not pay for this surgery. After meeting with his insurance people I found out that Medicaid requires you to have either sleep apnea, uncontrolled hypertension, or uncontrolled diabetes along with other criteria. I meet all the other criteria except for the three listed above, but the think I should go ahead and get the pysch evaluation that Medicaid requires. I'm not so sure that I should continue. I feel I will get my hopes up only to be let down. What should I do? Thanks, Mahala    — Mahala V. (posted on October 18, 2000)

October 18, 2000
I would also request a sleep study, most of us 100 pounds or over weight have sleep apnea to some extent. I am only 150 over and have a bi-pap set at 20 and 14, 20 is as high as most models go. So unless you have had a recent sleep study try that and also ask for a gloucose tolorence test who knows maybe you will fail at least one of them and get this life saving surgury. I am still waiting but things a starting to fall into place, I hope to go under the knife before the year is out.
   — MARK N.