Has anyone gotten approval from Medicaid?

Hi..Im new to the boards..Ive been coming to the website for a long time I just have never posted..I live In WV and I have WV Mediciad. I came down to UVA in Feb 06 and saw Dr Schimmer and also went to the seminar. I had My phys Evaluation here in WV and I have also completed the 6mth Dr supervised diet back in Dec 06. The problem was that I lost My Medicaid in April 06 and just got it back a few weeks ago but I only have it for 6mths. I spoke to Mike Miller at Dr Schirmmers office and he said that they are still having troulble getting WV Medicaid to cover the surgery.He said that it would be much easier if I had Virginia Medicaid because they were alot easier to get approval through.. My main problem is that I dont have diabeties and WV tells me that I have to have Diabetes and be so obese that I have to use a walker or be in a wheel chair to get approved..CRAZY I know.. I have several medical conditions that my weight affects GREATLY..My PCP is very much in favor of the gastric bypass for me because of my co morbidities.. MS Fibromyalgia IBS TMJ Several herniated discs in my back Arthritis in my spine degenerative disc GERD..acid reflux really bad and, a Hietal Hernia "need surgery but Dr's wont because of my weight. I have severe bilaeral carpel tunnel syndrome"both hands"need surgery for both hands.."I know this is not weight related" My BMI is  57 I have a 12 yr old son and a 10 mth old grandbaby that I have been caring for since her birth ,She lives with me full time...and I DESPERATLY need this surgery..I need to be able to care for my family and with my weight and health problems its VERY difficult and getting harder every day. Im sorry for such a long post but I am Desperate to know if anyone out there has been approved in Va or WV for the Gastric Bypass and does NOT have diabetes or have to use a walker or wheel chair..I posted on the WV board but got no replys..PLEASE if anyone out there can help me or give me any suggestions on how to get approved by WV Medicaid..PLEASE let me know..Every day seems to get harder to get through..I hve a lot of pain with some of my health conditions..and I know if I could get this surgery I would have a NEW lease on life..and I would be able to take care of My Son and Grandbaby alot better..Thank You for listening..again sorry for the long post..Im just feeling frustrated and so hopless right now..Thanks Tammie..If anyone would could help You can email me at [email protected] just post here..

Hi Tammie, I'm sorry  you are having such a tough time. Don't give up! Keep fighting the fight . I don't have any experience with Medicaid. You may want to post this on the insurance board too. Good luck to you

How do I post on the insurance board? I dont see it listed anywhere?..Thanks for the encouragement.. Tammie

Here ya go sweetie :  http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/insurance/a,messageboard/b oard_id,5363/ PS: If you go to the top header on here there is a FORUMS catagory. Did you know you can also bookmark your favorite places on here?

Hi Tammie I have VA medicaid and was approved in two days for RNY surgery.  I did however had type 2 diabetes, regurgitating heart valves, fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, IBS and GERD.  My bmi at the time of approval was 56.  I am not sure of WV rules with medicaid but this being said, it seems to me if it is deemed medically necessary they should cover it...However, even with the best insurances, most people are turned down even if the doc says it is medically necessary and their bmi's are above 50...60..70...SAD SAD SAD!  Dont give up though...fight fight fight!!! Be persistent with your surgeons office and keep calling medicaid..if one person don't help, tell them to transfer you to someone else..or keep calling until you get someone else.   Good luck

Hi.  I also have VA medicaid.  I am almost 22 and have had it since i was 18.  I was 260 lbs before surgery and my surgery scheduler said that she was almost certain that it would cover because my BMI was over 40.  She told me that if i didnt have problems related to obesity(GERD, diabetes....)then my BMI would have to be over 40 which it was.  But medicaid approved me in like 3 weeks.  i didnt need a supervised diet or anything...but WV medicaid is different, im sure.

I have VA medicaid, and yes it was VERY easy to get coverage for my surgery. Don't worry everything will be fine. My Dr's office told it me it would take up to 8 weeks to hear back from Medicaid, but I heard back in about 2 1/2 weeks after the request was put in. You are in my thoughts and prayers! Stacy