there may be hope yet

thanks to pat i have renewed hope...after finding out that i would have to go to atlanta for the surgery and more then likely for all the other appointments i was really depressed because i didnt have  a way to get there...but then i thought about the transportation part of medicaid..and pat told me that they would take me to my appointments..now only one more question.ya think i can take someone with me..i dont wanna go alone..lol...this whole thing scares me and i am not good with doing things like this alone...i wanna be a loser so bad but have no clue what to do...i think i have to go to a sieminar before anything...and i guess i will find out step two from there..but do they tell me what other docs to go to or do i have to figure that out on my own?? i would like to get all the tests out of the way now and just have to show up and get an approval from medicaid..i just see all the success on here and i am impatient.

You need a referral from your PCP and a medical necessity letter from them as well.  They also require a 6mth diet history on PCP letter head.  They also want a physical and med history from the PCP. Next step:  Cardiologyst clearance: EKG, Echocardiogram and then the Cardiologyst will determine if the Stress test is needed and schedule accordingly Pulmologyst: You will take a blood ox, blood gas if needed and blow into the tube.  You will also answer a questionaire to determine if a sleep study is needed for sleep apnea,  if needed they will schedule Nutrition and Dietition:  You can schedule with Dr Duncans nutr.,Stacy.  Candy and I went to Holly Dobson at Dekalb Medical.  Peachstate covered it.  I wish I would have paid the $100.00 out of pocket and went to Stacy instead.  I met her at the support meeting Tuesday and she was great.  I learned a lot! Psych Clearance:  There is a psyc in Gwinnett County that takes Peachstate.  This was a hard one to find.  A lot of the Drs that take Peachstate/ Medicaid try to charge for the clearance and this should be part of the actual visit: (Comprehensive report)  Make sure the psych states cleared for surgery. You need to attend 1 seminar and 1 support group meeting... You will also need a full length picture of yourself 3x5.... Oh, before i forget the Dr PCP will complete a panel of blood work... Make sure the H pylori is included in that! You can start obtaining your clearances before the seminar.  This will move things faster. I started on my clearances on May 10th and now have all but the comprehensive report from the psych.  She told me about a week or 2. 

I taught Nicole well.  LOl.  Thank you for all of that Nicole.  You should save that to a file you can just copy it to all the newbies looking into this stuff.  I wish I had thought of that.   As for taking someone with you.  I think if you tell them you have a "personal assistant" that has to come with you because of your health they will allow it.  I am not really sure if they would let just a regular person come.  I would not be above telling medicaid van personal that the person was needed.  They don't need to know it is only for emotional support.  If you let me know when your seminar and appointments are I may be able to meet you there to help if you need it.  I have attanded a few seminars just to help ease people into this "adventure". 

I HAVE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TELL THEM YOU NEED AN ESCORT WHEN ARRANGING TRANSPORTATION. THE DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS WILL BE NO PROBLEM, BUT MEDICAID TRANSPORTATION GETS "FUNNY" WHEN IT IS NOT A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT, BUT A SEMINAR OR SUPPORT GROUP. THEY ONLY TRANSPORT TO MEDICAID COVERED SERVICES, MEANING ONE ON ONE VISITS WITH A DOCTOR, NURSE OR THERAPIST. THERE IS A SUPPORT GROUP ON THE 3RD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 12:00 THAT CAN BE MADE BY YOU TO LOOK LIKE A REGULAR APPOINTMENT TO ATLANTA MEDICAL CENTER...IF THEY ASK FOR A DOCTOR'S NAME, JUST GIVE THEM THE NAME OF DR. DUNCAN OR SOMETHING, THEY WON'T REALLY CHECK. HOWEVER, THE SEMINAR WILL BE RED FLAGGED. THEY WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE SUSPICIOUS BECAUSE IT IS ON A SATURDAY AND WILL NOT TAKE YOU BECAUSE IT IS NOT A MEDICAID COVERED SERVICE. I RECENTLY WAS CONTACTED BY APS HEALTHCARE 770-996-5799 AND THEY HAVE A NEW PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON GETTING MEDICAID CLIENTS TO SUPPORT GROUPS. THEY ASSIGN YOU A NURSE AND A CASEWORKER. THIS IS A NEW PROGRAM THAT RECENTLY WAS REOPENED...IT HAD BEEN CLOSED IN THE PAST. THAT MIGHT BE A WAY TO GET YOU TO THE THURSDAY SUPPORT GROUPS FROM 6-8, WHICH WOULD NORMALLY BE RED FLAGGED AS AFTER HOURS AND THE SATURDAY SUPPORT GROUPS ALL ON THE THIRD WEEK OF THE MONTH. THE SATURDAY SUPPORT GROUPS ARE FROM 9-11 AND THE NUTRITIONAL/EXERCISE CLASS FOLLOWS THAT. MEDICAID IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE...TRY TO GET AROUND THEIR BEAUROCRATIC RED TAPE CRAP! GOOD LUCK, GIRL! I KNOW HOW IT FEELS...I AM IN A WHEELCHAIR AND SO I NEED TO GET TO MY MEETINGS AND I CAN'T DRIVE MYSELF. YOU WILL FIND A WAY! STAY ENCOURAGED AND YOU WILL MAKE IT!