Re: Does medicaid cover the DS? (Jean)

[Guest guest]

i use dr husted in nashville and medicare only covers like 8 or 900 dollars.

my tenncare covers everything i couldn't believe it. belinda dayton tn

[Guest guest]

Barbi,

I am sure Judie Hensel will pipe in with her experience with

Medicaid. I don't know the difference between Medicaid and Medicare

so I hope I am not mistaking the two! You are a true friend and your

girlfriend sure is lucky to have you! Invite her again and if she

would like to correspond with anyone, I would be willing to make her

feel welcome!

Hugs,

Theresa

> > Does your friend have a computer? If so, is she on any of

> > these lists? Maybe she might not mind the drive if she knew

> > of the advantages of DS over RNY by hearing it from real

> > people just like you.

> >

> > Is Medicaid going to cover her RNY? Would it cover a DS?

> >

> > Jean.

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much Theresa!

You know, I'm not sure about Medicaid vs Medicare either! LOL I

think " care " is what retired people get, " aid " is for those who

qualify for disability, aid to dependant children, etc. But I

wouldn't bet two cents on that! LOL

As for my girlfriend, she has been a wonderful friend to me. We met

in a size acceptance group and ended up being fast friends. We then

started our own SA group online where we discuss anything and

everything related to Self Acceptance. Three in the group have had

WLS, some are opposed to it, but it's a close friendly group that

accepts others and doesn't judge anyone.

It was through her experience of increased immobility, health

problems, and pain that I finally made my decision. She is ten years

older than I and I knew I would continue to gain weight and in ten

years be in the exact same shoes she is.

She has supported me from the moment I mentioned it, she's been my

cheerleader, my confidant, and my leaning post. She is more excited

for me than I am.

I am truly convinced that without WLS she only has a few years left,

and she is also sure of that. She just had to overcome her great

fear of surgery (any surgery) and get to a place where she could

begin this journey.

It's still very frightening and I am terrified something will happen

to her, that is why I don't push, I let her come in her own time, it

has to be her decision and hers alone. I can't handle the

responsibility. The phone call I made the other night asking her

about which surgery she'd pick, the 60% or 85% was the most assertive

I've been. I knew she'd listen to me, but I'm not sure if I want her

to do what I say! LOL Am I insane??

That was a kind offer Theresa, you are VERY sweet! She's on vacation

for the next week but I'm pasting the responses to my questions in an

e-mail for her so she will not only see how helpful everyone is, but

how warm and caring you all are as well.

Hugs,

Barbi

DS date 4/24/01

Pre-op BMI 61

Current BMI 40

120 pounds gone for good!!

> Barbi,

>

> I am sure Judie Hensel will pipe in with her experience with

> Medicaid. I don't know the difference between Medicaid and

Medicare

> so I hope I am not mistaking the two! You are a true friend and

your

> girlfriend sure is lucky to have you! Invite her again and if she

> would like to correspond with anyone, I would be willing to make

her

> feel welcome!

>

> Hugs,

> Theresa

[Guest guest]

Actually,

Medicare is offered to Social Security Disability Insurance people who have

at the time of their disability at least 37 work semesters and a history of

income. This happens one year after being disabled. Retired people get

medicare but need supplemental insurance too.

Medicaid is offered to those on Social Security Insurance. This is given

to people who end up disabled and do not have enough work history. They

get a set amount from SS of about $530 a month. Because of this amount of

money and their disability they qualify

for medicaid which is a state run program. That means that in every state

it can be different. In my state they have moved medicaid into PPOs and

HMOs that are run for " real " insurance coverage but have special areas for

the indigent left on medicaid.

Hope that helps.

i

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********

>Theresa....

>Medicare is for those who are retired or on disability whereas medicaid is

>state.

>

>Judie

>

>

>----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Retired people get

medicare but need supplemental insurance too.>>>

the disabled can also get supplemental in the form of an HMO or PPO but have

to pay that out of their own pockets however its alot less than if they had

to do it on their own without the benefit of medicare.

For example, I have medicare but I also had (at the time of my surgery)

Regence for an extra $65 a month and they cover what medicare doesnt cover

including the 20% medicare doesnt pay if you have surgery etc.....the only

thing medicare sucks in is medications......you have to pay for all of your

own our of your own pocket. I have no idea how the elderly can ever afford

that unless they are wealthy.

Judie