Question:
How to get on Medicaid in the 1st place?

How do you get on Medicaid in the first place to be able to get them to pay for WLS?? please email me at [email protected] or [email protected] if you know the answer and can help me out. I have insurance with First Health but do have a written exclusion for obesity treatment. thanks Tabitha    — Tabitha A. (posted on August 1, 2003)

August 1, 2003
I e-mail Tabitha, but I thought others might want to know. Medicaid is different in every state but should be handled by your county's welfare department...in Ohio it's now called Job and Family Services. If your weight makes you unable to work or even to work full-time, I would suggest applying for disability through the Social Security Administration. If you are disabled you're more likely to be able to receive Medicaid. There is a lot of paperwork and time involved, but for those who truly need help these services can be a life saver.
   — Sarahlicious

August 1, 2003
Contact your local department of social services...they will have you come in and fill out an application to see if you qualify for medicaid, or other low-income health coverage. It is possible to have health insurance and medicaid (I do) but I've found it extrememly difficult to use the medicaid, as it keeps refusing to cover anything if my insurance denied it... (which is exactly why I thought I was supposed to have it) oh well!! Perhaps you'll have better luck.
   — Kelly B.