anyone have this insurance? I'm just starting out and was wondering how things ate going to go with this insurance.

I'm a nurse in Indiana and deal a lot with Medicaid, HIP, etc. a lot. HIP 2.0 (HIP Plus) does cover bariatric surgery. They may have specific requirements (certain BMI, 6 month pre-op classes, etc) before they will approve you for surgery. HIP (HIP Basic) does not cover bariatric surgery. You should be able to call the 1-800 # customer service # on your card and speak to someone to get the specifics. Your surgeon's office should have a benefit specialist that can navigate the process for you too.

Ty for replying. I called but they didn't really tell me much. I did go to a info seminar this weekend, so hopefully I'll find out more when they call me for the consultation with the surgeon.

Pam, I also have Hip and am trying to figure things out. I went to a seminar this weekend too at IU Health North, and am waiting on the call for the consultation. I'm so nervous, wondering if I'll get approved! I have MDWise, and when I called them they wouldn't tell me anything either, just that it requires prior authorization. I just hate not knowing! The sad thing is, I work for the Medicaid office and I still know nothing, but all we deal with is eligibility. If you find out anything, please post here and I'll do the same!

I was there too. Lol and have MDwise.

Lol. I wondered if we were at the same seminar! That's cool! So if I find out anything about the criteria before you do, I'll definitely make sure to post here and let you know! I'm finding so much conflicting information that it's got me really worried! I am hopeful because I read that if you have lost weight under a doctors care and then gained it back, that you might be able to skip the 6 month supervised diet. I lost 70 pounds and gained 80 back, but that's been a little over 2 years ago so I don't know if it will count. I also only have sleep apnea as a comorbidity so I'm worried that they won't think that it is a serious enough comorbidity to qualify me. Honestly I'm stressing over all these what-ifs so much right now, I can't wait to get some answers!

Oh i know i'm confused. Lol I've heard it was a 3 month diet then heard 6 months. I want answers now. Lol excited to get this started! Do you know what dr you are going too? I've got so many comorbidities...hbp, diabetic, sleep apnea, 50 bmi.....list goes on. I'm glad i "know" someone who is just starting out and going to the same place.

Yes, I'm glad too! I think it would be great to keep in contact and compare notes on the whole approval process,even though our situations are different. As I said, I only have sleep apnea as a comorbidity, although I am diagnosed also with high cholesterol but it does not require medication yet, and I also have depression. I'm hoping to use the depression as a way to help get approved, because I do believe that it is linked to my weight because when I lost weight before, i was able to come off the meds.

My biggest issue so far, is when I lost the weight and came off the meds, I was seeing a different doctor and she moved to another state, and supposedly left my records for other doctors but no one is able to locate them yet! I've called everywhere, and am waiting on a couple of places to call me back.

It's so frustrating. I'm just so tired of being overweight and I'm starting to notice the toll it is taking on my body with aching joints and back pain, and just being worn out all the time. I truly feel like i need this surgery. I have an 18 month old and I want to be a good mom to her, and I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up with her as she grows.

I know I'm all over the place here, lol, but I really haven't been able to talk to anyone about anything yet. I haven't told anyone about wanting the surgery, in fact i never talk about my weight because I'm so embarrassed by how big I have gotten! I don't want to live my life like this, and I always hoped that I would one day be able to lose the weight on my own and keep it off, but now I know I need help. I'm just so afraid I won't be able to get the help I need!

Hi again. Would love to keep in contact with you. I totally understand wanting to be able to keep up with your baby. My babies are grown, but i have g.babies that i want to be there for. My kids have such great memories of my mom playing with them and just doing things with them. My g.babies just know me as always being in pain (need knee replacements), tired and too big to "have fun". Too big to go anywhere, usually can't fit into seats. Im going to change that! Not only for them, but for me! As it is right now, i feel as if i don't have a life, only existing. I really don't have anyone to talk to as well. I do, but no one really understands the way i feel. I was so happy to have found this place. I tried adding you as a friend but not sure if i did it right. Lol

I don't know if you added me or not. I'm on my phone right now and I can't figure out a lot of the menus here on my phone. I'll check it out from my compute tomorrow and try to add you or accept it if you added me or however it works. Lol.

So I guess they still haven't called you yet to make your consultation appointment? Didn't they say they would call us by Wednesday? I haven't heard anything either. I hate this waiting game!

Edited January 21, 201610 yr by Ldybg8879

No call yet. ????

No call yet

Hey ladies! I'm in the St Vincent's program 5 months in...my last group visit is 2/8/16, then my Dr visit, then surgery date...I am also on HIP, it just switched to Hip 2.0 this month...before I even started I called HiP and made sure that my specific health plan covered WLS and she said yes just need prior authorization from surgeon. I am getting nervous that everything is going to go wrong and something will happen that will cause me to not have the surgery! Idk why just my anxiety! That's all the info I have on the insurance crap St Vs said they would take care of it all ???? if y'all hear of any info I would love to know as well! Good Luck Ladies!