ObesityHelp

Hello, I know of an awesome doctor who will accept Medicare and I'm not sure about DSHS. I have Medicare and Dr. Jeffrey Hunter did my surgery Oct of 04. I don't have the number right here but he is at Virgina Mason Federalway.( Federalway, WA) Doctor Hunter is a great guy with an awesome personality!

I know the University of Washington Hospital bariatric surgeons take medicaid.  Sorry, I don't know the number.  I heard it through a friend.

How long did you have to wait to get it done. I have been waiting since Dec 2008 and still waiting. I have been there twice thay tell me that im a canadate for it but when I don't no. I have Dr.Oelschlager.

Dr. Oelschlager is no longer doing bariatric surgery at UW, he's in a different department now. I was scheduled to have surgery with him too and got lost in the shuffle, which is what it seems is happening to you. Give them a call and ask them where you stand, and ask to meet with a new surgeon. I suggest Dr. Wright. I've met with 2 surgeons since Dr. Oelschlager left and the first one I didn't like at all, while Dr Wright seems to be really helpful, and I have confidence in him.
Good luck!

To add to the list... Swedish Medical Center is supposed to start taking Medicaid around August! Check with them and they will put you on their waiting list and call once they are certified and able to take it.

I am on Medicare and in 2007 when I applied with Dr Srikanth, I recieved a letter saying they no longer accept Medicare.  However as stated above Dr Jeffery Hunter at Virgina Mason also in Federal Way does.

I'm not sure if they still do or not but I had open rny in 2005 by dr. simonowitz *****tired and has a replacement dr. They are in the Overlake Hospital in Bellevue in the Tower there. Mine was quick and scheduled and covered quickly and staff was great. I started at 278 been around 110 :)

I had a dshs medical coupon.  My surgery was 9-06 at OHSU in portland, or.. The University of Washington also has coverage however they have a very long waiting list...  There was also a surgeon in spokane but I cannot remember his name.  The key with dshs med coupon is to call and call and call until they tell you what you need to know.. many of the people you'll talk to have no idea what they are talking about... just keep calling bac****il you find one that does... then get their name and number so u can communicate directly with them throughout the entire process...

Hi, This is Joanne in Seattle. University of Washington now takes Medicare with Medicaid. They are especially set up for higher risk patients. Dr. Andy Wright spoke at last years Seattle Bash Conference and was talking about their program there that they were setting up. Good Luck.

May I suggest you post this on your state board?  No one is going to see  your post here unless they are coming here to add a surgeon. Take care, Kathy

Hello!  Yes, as of 5 mos. ago, Drs. Bright and Rawlins at Rockwood Clinic in Spokane were accepting Medicare.  Medicare will pay for LapBand, RNY or DS.  Rawlins and Bright do mostly RNY's.  Surgery is out of Sacred Heart Medical Center.