Question:
Need help finding surgeon that accepts Fl medicaid

Do anyone know a surgeon that currently is performing gastric bypass surgery in FL and is accepting MEdicaid? Need a surgeon bad. Got approved for surgery already but currrently Dr. Cox is not performing any surgeries. Can you help?    — lakeebie75 (posted on February 17, 2006)

February 18, 2006
After a long year of promises that have fallen through with Dr Cox of Ft Lauderdale, FL, and 2 many to count phone calls to every surgeon listed on this site, I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that Medicaid/Medipass is no longer accepted by any Bariatric Surgeon in the State of Florida. I spoke to a wonderful woman yesterday at The Palms of Pasadena Hospital (813)341-7706, who explained to me that the surgeons play musical plans with Medipass and Medical HMO programs every year to see which plan will pay the the most. This year, she said that the Medicaid HMO's accepted by the bariatric programs at Palms of Pasadena are Amerigroup, Staywell, and Healthease. She also candidly told me that that arraingment could change at any time, as it had with Medipass last year. Another problem I can't personally for is the perception, if not fact, that the Medicaid program only has open enrollment in November of each year. I have asked Medicaid about this, but have not received a straight answer. Perhaps someone who knows can' post here. Thank you so much to everyone on this great site who have kindly helped me -- I hope this helps someone. Trish
   — trish_