Medicaid patients: Please Read 1 and all

[Guest guest]

In reference to the recent Medicaid posting and Dr. Rutledge's attitude:

I read the post too, several times. From my understanding her insurance

denied her the MGB/WLS. Then she was referred to Medicaid. Medicaid is

secondary to her insurance. And besides, what does it matter as to whether

it is Medicaid or not? Should Medicaid, Medicare, and Vocational Rehab

patients not get same treatment as others? Is there something that would

make them less important or less creditable? I have also to question the

fact that Doctor's have a choice as to whether or not to accept Medicaid

patients once they are so far into the process. Why advertise that you

accept them, tell them they are approved, tell them the pay rate will be

accepted, then tell them suddenly at the time of scheduling surgery, that he

has decided not to do them? He plainly states that he would do the surgery

for nothing because of how it helps people and makes them happy. Why would

he say that in clinic in Jan of 2000? Then have the attitude in May of 2000

that Medicaid doesn't pay enough for him. That is very contradictory, and

very disconcerting to me.

Let me pose a hypothetical situation:

single mother of two, no support from ex-husband who is nowhere to be found

for three years going on four, works in an office, has no benefits, takes

every penny she can to raise her children and keep from being sucked into

nothingness -

So, as a last resort, they become Medicaid recipients. Is this person any

less deserving of an MGB than the rest of the group?

Are they to be faulted because they went through the MGB process and

requirements understanding that they have Dr. R's approval and then to get

the point of scheduling the surgery, being treated by the office staff as if

a surgery date is within the next two weeks, only to be told instead that Dr.

Rutledge is not going to do anymore Medicaid for 6 to 9 months because it

doesn't pay him enough and he has patients with 'real' insurance that are

more important.

I really want to know is this person not as good as the rest of you? Should

their approval go to waste while the good Dr. R tends to his more important

patients with 'real ' insurance? What if Medicaid will not issue a stay on

the approval to hold it, for the length of time that this person is

unimportant or they will not issue a second approval because the first went

unused, and therefore, disproved medical need for the patient? Where does

this person turn to now?

[Guest guest]

Thank you Sue. I am not trying to bash - I promise, but I feel very betrayed

by the very person that works so hard for all of you.

[Guest guest]

Allright O'Kelley!!! Well said! You go girl!!!!

Sue(Maine)

MGB Post-Op 4/17/00

[Guest guest]

OK, now I will flame a little!!! To the person who " scrimped and saved

instead of using taxpayers money " . I am happy that you were able to do

that. But, to a person who is in a catch 22 situation, such as can't

work alot because of weight and health problems relating to it, Medicaid

can save a life. ly I have worked since I was 16 years old and have

always had taxes taken out, so one way or the other I PAID my Medicaid

bill!!

Dee in NC

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