I am so depressed

I have Medicaid and am having no luck finding a doctor that takes that insurance for Lap Band, I called the University of Chicago and was told that there is a 2 year waiting list!  Loyola is waiting for approval or certification or something and has suspended surgery.  Dr. Shayani who's website leads you to believe that if your insurance covers it he'll take you as a patient, but I called and he also doesn't take medicaid.  What to do?  Where do I go from here?  Any advice Medicaid patients.  I live in the NW suburbs and going downstate is not an option for me.   Self pay is not an option, I have two little kids and my husband is the only one that works.  PLEASE HELP!!  Thanks!

Sorry to hear you are having problems finding a doctor. I don't know much about the medicaid card.  But I'll keep you in my prayers. Shelley

I am by know means an expert, but I thought that in the information I received from my program in Peoria it said the IL Medicaid doesn't cover the Lap-Band, only RNY.  I could be wrong, but it might be worth looking farther into.  I don't have medicaid, so I SAW the info, but then kind-of dismissed it.  Sorry, I hope you get the answers you need.

Illinois Medicaid does cover Lap Band and RNY, I confirmed that with the agency.  You just have to have a referral by your PCP and be able to find a Bariatric surgeon who accepts Medicaid.  Thanks for responding!  Good Luck to you too!

I, too, am trying to have surgery done.  My husband is off of work because of an injury, so we lost our medical insurance.  We now have Medicaid and Dr. Joyce in Joliet does not take it.  I was hoping that their office would have helped me find another surgeon, but they left me hanging.  I decided that I wanted the rny done instead of the lap band, but Peoria doesn't  take anybody from my zip code(60420).  Kankakee and Chicago have a 1 year waiting list.  Somebody at Dr. Nagle's office in Chicago told me that Mercy Hospital in Chicago is now doing lap band surgeries.   You might try calling them,  I don't know the number.  I am getting very depressed too.  I am ready to give it up.  My pcp is on vacation, but when he gets back, I'm going to see if he has any suggestions, because he really wants me to have the surgery.  Good  Luck!  Let me know what happens.

I am using medicaid as well, and they ONLY cover RNY! They no longer cover lap-band. I am at UIC, and I see my surgeon tommorrow morning. Hope this helps!!!

Shana, they do cover Lap Band, I called a few days ago.  Your surgeon may not accept medicaid for Lap Band, but they do cover it.  I spoke with many people at HFS to make sure, and even if you look at the insurance page here on OH.com you will see all the approvals that Public Aid gave for lap band and RYN.  Lap Band is a safer bet for Public Aid because there are far fewer risks and complications than with RYN and that is one of the major reasons they cover the surgery.  As you know you have to pick a medical home and a PCP and a health plan with medicaid, who did you pick?  If you picked Illinois Health Connect call this number 1-877-912-1999 and they will confirm that they cover lap band.  I hope this helps! Good Luck and God Bless!!!

MEDICAID COVERS BOTH... AND MY DOCTOR DOES BOTH... AND THE RNY IS JUST AS EASY TO GET PAID FOR IT ONLY TOOK ME 9 DAYS TO BE APPROVED.. I CHOSE THE RNY BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT I NEEDED TO LOOSE.. AND DR GIBSON SAID HE AGREED... ALSO MY PCP HAD THE LAP BAND WITH NOT THE BEST RESULTS BUT IT IS COVERED AND HE WILL TAKE MEDICAID... ALSO YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO A 6 MTH DIET PRIOR TO SURGERY... ....HIS WEBSITE I BELIEVE IS LAKE COUNTY SURGEONS .COM

Denise - Thank you so much for the information!!!  I am waiting to be called for a seminar!  They said that Mercy does take medicaid but that I would have to go to the seminar to make sure.  Thanks again and God Bless!  Your message was truly one of those God winks moments!