Does Louisiana Medicaid Pay For Weight Loss Surgery

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Whats The Process Of Weight Loss Surgery Approval By Medicaid

Medicaid covers weight loss surgery | Crystals Life

Does Medicaid Cover Weight Loss Surgery Diet Consultation

If your state Medicaid covers weight loss surgery, the first step you should take so that you can get approval for surgery is scheduling a meeting with a doctor.

During the meeting, the surgeon will go over the nitty-gritty of the surgery and discuss your possibilities.

Once you have made a decision, the surgeon can run several tests to check your medical health, and if the doctor agrees youre okay, you can request a surgery pre-approval from the state Medicaid office.

The entire procedure can take quite some time, so you will have to be patient.

If Medicaid approves the operation, the doctor will have to confirm your readiness to undergo surgery at the time.

This could mean checking your blood, some x-rays, and other surgery preparation procedures.

Its a bit complicated to determine which part of your operation will be covered by Medicaid in your state. But you can confirm with your local state Medicaid office to see whether this information is available for you.

These procedures are by no means cheap, and you might be wondering if you qualify for this procedure.

Read on to find out which bariatric procedures are covered by Medicaid and the criteria used in covering enrollees for weight-loss surgeries.

How Much Is Gastric Sleeve In Louisiana

Dr. Thomas Borlands gastric sleeve surgery costs $11,300, which is a reasonable price. This is less than the national average of $16,800 and less than the average of $15,400 in Louisiana, both of which are below the national average. There are a variety of financing solutions available to assist you in paying for bariatric surgery.

Which Weight Loss Surgeries Does Medicaid Cover

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass is a type of weight loss surgery during which a surgeon operates on your gut and small intestines to make changes to how they digest and absorb food, respectively.

Gastric bypass enables weight loss by:

  • Restricting the amount of food that your gut can hold
  • Limiting the number of nutrients and calories absorbed by your small intestine
  • Transforming your gastrointestinal hormones which help to suppress your appetite and make you fuller for longer

Lap Band Revision

Lap band revision is a bariatric procedure whereby an adjustable silicone band is installed on your stomach to create a small gut section above the band, and the rest of the gut remains below the band. This limits the quantity of food or beverages that you can take in one sitting.

The band is adjustable, and the procedure is reversible. Lap band revision is done laparoscopically, and its not as intrusive as other gut procedures.

Gastric Sleeve

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy or gastric sleeve is a type of weight loss surgery that removes about 75% of the stomach. Today this is the most common bariatric procedure done in the United States of America.

Medicaid coverage is not 100% there are some things you need to pay for, such as

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Surgical Weight Loss Designed For Results

We offer preoperative education as well as post-operative support for patients looking for healthier options. Not only will we guide you through the steps necessary to have bariatric surgery, but we also provide the necessary tools that are fundamental to your post-operative success for many years to come after your surgery. Nutrition, exercise, behavior modification counseling and support groups, are among the resources offered to ensure your success after surgery.

Our goal is to offer a personalized program that will help you lose weight and succeed in reaching your goals. There are many different types of weight loss surgeries, and Ochsner Lafayette General has the most comprehensive choices on the market.

Other Considerations For Medicaid

Bariatric Surgeons That Accept Medicaid In Louisiana

One of the requirements for Medicaid to pay for your surgery coverage is that you need to have your weight loss surgery done through a Center for Excellence. Bariatric Center for Excellence accreditation is designed to indicate which bariatric surgery centers have achieved a level of excellence when it comes to administering bariatric surgery. Medicaid requires that you visit one of these specific centers to guarantee that you get the best possible treatment.

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If you have questions about your Medicaid coverage and whether or not your coverage will pay for weight loss surgery, the best thing to do is to contact the people at Medicaid directly to discuss your coverage. There are many types of surgery that you can undergo weight loss, but Medicaid only covers the most common ones.

If youre looking to have a different type of weight loss surgery aside from gastric bypass, lap gastric banding, or gastric sleeve surgery, then you will need to look for a different type of insurance coverage or you will need to pay out-of-pocket for the procedure.

*Medicaid will not pay for weight loss surgery in Mexico

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Is Weight Loss Surgery Right For You

Knowing your weight loss surgery options is important. There is not a single solution, but rather a combination of methods to treat obesity. These tools are part of a comprehensive approach to help you reach and maintain a healthy weight, while improving your health. The right combination of tools and lifestyle changes are essential to a successful obesity treatment plan.

Bariatric surgical procedures cause weight loss by restricting the amount of food the stomach can hold, causing malabsorption of nutrients, or by a combination of both gastric restriction and malabsorption. The most common bariatric surgery procedures are gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric band, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. Each surgery has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Does Medicaid Cover Weight Loss Pills

The cost of weight loss therapies, education, and counseling intended to promote healthy eating and exercise will be covered by some state Medicaid programmes. Medicaid may in some cases pay for prescriptions for weight loss tablets. As well as drugs for conditions like diabetes and heart disease that are frequently prescribed to obese patients.

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How To Get Medicaid Approval For Weight Loss Surgery

If the Medicaid provided by your state covers bariatric surgery, you must consult your physician. Medicaid accepts coverage when there is a medical need for the surgery. It is vital to have a physician who can share relevant information for the medical necessity of bariatric surgery for the patient. Further, to assess the situation, a physician can recommend the patient to approved surgeons.

Approved surgeons help you understand the surgerys basics and different options you may have. After you make a decision, you need to go through some tests and then consult the Medicaid office for pre-approval of the surgery. The process is time-consuming and requires patience as well as perseverance.Before approval, you may have to attend classes to understand the surgery, nutritional requirements, lifestyle changes, and exercises, which are mandatory post the operation. This ensures that the patient understands all implications of the surgery and whats essential to make it successful.

With necessary provisions, you may get approval from Medicaid. These provisions can further include additional classes or further testing. After approval from Medicaid, your surgeon needs to determine your ability to undergo the procedure. This can include medical preparation, blood work, and X-rays. Finally, the surgery is booked. Hence, you get a step closer to a healthier lifestyle and your weight goals.

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If You Live In Louisiana And Need A Surgeon That Accepts Medicaid Read Below

YES! MEDICAID PAYS FOR WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY · HOW TO GET APPROVED

Members Who Like This Post

Hi All!

After years of trying to find a surgeon to do a revision for me and will accept Medicaid. I found one. Dr. Ducoin in New Orleans Affliated with Tulane Medical Center. Now heres the catch. You have to contact University medical center because thats where he does all the surgeries at but the killer part is you have to attend the informational first and there is a waiting list? other than that, he qualified to do Sleeves, Gastric Bypass, and Revisions. Here is the number to university medical center 504-962-6262. From there you will be placed on a waiting list. Good Luck!

Im so happy right now I can scream!!! I gave up my job and benefits to persue a better position but without benefits. And its been a struggle to find someone who would take it. I had my surgery in 2005 Im long overdue for a revision as I have gained weight again and need a reset.

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Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss In New Orleans

If youve struggled to lose excess weight, bariatric surgery may be the first step in a journey toward a new chapter of your life. Bariatric surgery, also called weight loss surgery, changes the size of the stomach, small intestine, or both to assist with weight loss.

Numerous scientific studies have shown that bariatric surgery, combined with lifestyle modification, leads to significantly better and longer lasting weight loss when compared to lifestyle modifications alone.

The Center for Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery at University Medical Center is supported by a multi-disciplinary team that includes bariatric surgeons, dietitians, behavioral therapists and nurse practitioners dedicated to helping our patients achieve their weight loss goals.

Weight Loss Surgery At Umc For Medicaid Patients

Recently, doctors at University Medical Center have been telling potential patients about a new weight loss program.

So many people are interested in this new opportunity, that Wednesdayâs class filled up instantly, but the new clinic will have future classes that you can go to.

For years, Weight Loss Wednesday has highlighted the many success stories with bariatric surgery. Studies show surgery to make the stomach smaller, and alter hunger hormones, is more effective for long-term weight loss and health than diet and exercise alone.

However, for people in Louisiana who could not afford the more than $20,000 price tag, or whose private insurance would not pay, this often life-saving procedure was off limits. Now, for the first time, itâs available for people with Medicaid.

âI really believe weâre going to change the health care landscape in Louisiana by offering this service to this patient population,â said Dr. Christopher DuCoin, Director of Bariatric Surgery at UMC and Chief of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at Tulane.

Already more than 600 people are waiting for the doors of the new clinic and operating room to open.

âItâs amazing. Thereâs literally nothing that weight loss surgery doesnât help,â Dr. DuCoin added.

And lives are saved, as people live longer and better.

The program at UMC can also advocate for people who have private insurance, that wonât pay for the surgery.

Free Seminar Dates through the end of 2018 are below:

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What Questions Should I Ask My Bariatric Surgeon

The initial consultation is the ideal opportunity to ask many questions and learn more about which procedure or procedures you should consider, what the surgeons practice philosophy is, and much more. Some of the questions we advise our patients to ask a prospective weight loss doctor include:

Where did you receive your medical degree?What kind of additional training have you received?How long have you been performing these procedures?Have you had any complications?What medical organizations are you a member of?Are you board-certified in bariatric surgery?What weight loss procedures do you offer?Which procedure do you recommend for me based on my needs?Are there any alternatives to consider?Do you offer nutrition and fitness counseling?How can I achieve the optimal outcome?How often will I be returning for visits after my operation?How much weight loss can I expect?Will medical insurance help cover the cost of my treatment?Do you offer medical financing?

You may have a number of additional questions you wish to ask, and a prospective surgeon will want to answer your questions to the best of their ability.

If you would like more information on the biography and credentials of our bariatric surgeon, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. James Parrish, please contact us today.

Our Medically Supervised Weight Loss Program

Medicaid coverage in Louisiana for Gastric Sleeve

Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Centers Bariatric Surgery program also offers a comprehensive program for people who want to lose weight, but surgery is not a desire or option. The Medically Supervised Weight Loss Program is an ideal avenue for patients who may exceed the weight limit for surgery, do not have insurance to cover the cost of surgery or may just be interested in losing only 20 to 30 pounds. The program, underway since November 2012, helps people make realistic dietary changes under the continuous guidance of a physician, dietitian and lifestyle counselor.

Benjamin Doga, MD, oversees the program at Acadiana Weight Loss Surgery, located at Ochsner Lafayette General Surgical Hospital An Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center Campus. Scheduled visits occur every Tuesday and include sessions with a dietitian. The goal is to help people safely lose weight and keep it off by learning new food choices and habits. It is essentially a lifestyle modification program that pursues the best course for each individual.

Participants can choose a three-month or six-month plan. Dr. Doga will evaluate patients to help determine their best options, which can include a customized diet and/or pharmaceutical assistance to help suppress appetite and participants will receive constant support from professionals throughout the program.

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Do I Qualify For Weight Loss Surgery

It takes a lot of courage to pursue weight loss surgery. We will make every effort to make sure it is the best option for you. There are a number of criteria for weight loss surgery we consider in order to ensure a safe and medically appropriate procedure. Some of these bariatric surgery requirements include information about your overall health as well as your insurance coverage and mindset.

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Learn More About Medicare

Join our email series to receive your free Medicare guide and the latest information about Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

Medicaid coverage for weight loss surgery will differ by state, and the above requirements represent just an example of the type of standards that might have to be met for a procedure to be covered under Medicaid. For information about weight loss surgery benefits specific to where you live, contact your state Medicaid program.

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Does Medicaid Pay For Gastric Sleeve In Louisiana

Bariatric Surgery is a type of surgery that helps people lose weight. Louisiana Only until a complete and prolonged program of diet and exercise, with or without the use of pharmaceutical treatments, has proven to be ineffective over time will Medicaid fund bariatric or weight reduction surgery as an option.

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A Team Dedicated To Your Weight Loss Journey

11 THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY & GASTRIC BYPASS

Lindsey Poe, PsyD

Dr. Lindsey Poe is a licensed clinical psychologist who earned her doctorate at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center with a focus on the connection between physical health conditions and mental wellness. Dr. Poe is a member of the American Psychological Association and specializes in psychological assessment and group therapy. As part of the bariatric surgery team, Dr. Poe will conduct psychosocial evaluations and group therapy as individuals prepare for the next step in achieving their weight loss goal.

Emily Alker, RD, LDN

Emily Alker is a licensed dietitian/nutritionist and an integrated health member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Emily has been a bariatric dietitian since 2015, and a weight management dietetic practice group member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Emily graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor in Nutritional Sciences. She is passionate about partnering with her patients about their nutritional choices to help them improve their lifestyles and overall well-being.

Bariatric surgery is a tool designed to help you achieve your weight loss goals, but it cannot and will not happen without your cooperation.

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Medicaid May Cover Weight Loss Surgery In Some States

Medicaid coverage can vary a lot by state, but weight loss surgery may be covered by many state Medicaid programs under the following conditions:

  • Males are over the age of 15 and females are over the age of 13.
  • Body Mass Index is over 35 with at least one comorbidity such as sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.
  • A psychological exam is taken and passed.
  • There is documentation that the beneficiary was unsuccessful at managing comorbidities with standard treatment.
  • Nutritional and psychological services are available before and after surgery.
  • There is a note from a doctor stating the surgery is medically necessary to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
  • The beneficiary has a clear understanding that diet and lifestyle changes will be necessary after the procedure.
  • The beneficiary participates in a medically supervised weight loss program for six months within one year of the surgery.

In addition, the weight loss surgery must typically be performed at a facility that has achieved a Bariatric Center for Excellence designation, which is awarded to facilities that have demonstrated a history of excellence in bariatric surgery.

Weight Loss Surgery Now Available To Medicaid Patients

  • Posted on: Jun 14, 2018

On July 1st, University Medical Center will open the only clinic in the state for weight loss surgery for Medicaid patients. Louisiana has one of the highest obesity rates in the U.S. Its more than 35 percent.

I really believe were going to change the health care landscape in Louisiana by offering this service to this patient population, said Dr. Christopher DuCoin, Director of Bariatric Surgery at UMC and Chief of Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at Tulane.

> > To read more and to view the report on WWL TV,

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