Video: Northeast Mississippi Family Not Giving Up On Trying To Get Insurance To Cover Surgery For Daughter

SMITHVILLE, MISS. (WCBI) – A northeast Mississippi family is waiting to see if insurance or medicaid will cover a much needed surgical procedure for their four year old daughter.
The specialized surgery means a life of independence for Amelia Moody, but getting through all of the red tape is challenging and frustrating for the family.

There is never a dull moment in Pastor Chris Moody’s household.

Moody is pastor of Smithville Freewill Baptist Church, and he is also a teacher at Columbus Middle School.   Chris and his wife Heather have five children; four daughters, and one son.   Their youngest two, Kaitlyn and Amelia, were adopted.  The twins were born premature, and abandoned by their natural parents.  Although other pre existing medical conditions were corrected, Amelia was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.   It affects her mobility, and she must use a walker , but that doesn’t stop her.

Amelia is scheduled next week for selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery at St Louis Children’s Hospital.  The surgery is the most common and effective way to treat cerebral palsy symptoms. And best results are seen in patients Amelia’s age. Without it, doctors say she will eventually be wheelchair bound.  However,  the Moodys have been told insurance won’t cover the procedure, because the hospital is not in the network.

“I just know this, for the last month, I’ve been on the phone, everyday, it’s been someone different I’ve talked to and they’ve never connected me with the person I talked to before and they’ve always told me I can’t talk to anybody above them, only my doctor could,” said Pastor Moody.

Now, they’re hoping Medicaid will cover the surgery.  During the surgery, the nerves in the spinal cord are cut, that cause muscle tightness in the legs.   After therapy, Amelia should be able to walk.

“That will give her the opportunity to start using all the muscles in her legs, instead of just the ones that are spastic,” he said.

Now, the family is leaning on prayer, and they are not giving up hope that the surgery will take place.

“We know God has his own timing, for everything, we have a peace , if this is not the time, but we are not going to stop fighting, if we have to reschedule, our hope is not to,” Heather said.

As the family’s bags are packed for St Louis, the Moodys’ will keep praying, and making those phone calls, hoping for a breakthrough.
So far, the Moody’s have not received word from Medicaid. We have not heard from the Moody’s insurance provider about their case. To learn more about Amelia’s story and keep updated on her progress, go to “Amelia’s Journey” on Facebook.