UHC Changes Policy?

[izodzim]

I've been recommended to have a cervical discectomy and fusion, and was considering asking for ADR, instead. When I started looking into whether United would cover it, I came across this recently updated policy document.

"Cervical artificial total disc replacement is proven for the treatment of single level
degenerative disc disease in skeletally mature patients when used with FDA approved
implants."

Can I assume this is a massive change in standpoint from before?

[SpineInSecurity]

It sure is. Before last October, they did not cover cervical or lumbar ADR. Somewhere around Oct 5, I was calling my doctor to tell them that ADR was a sudden new option for me.

[vimish]

Link/study from UHC dated Oct 2011 that explains their position,


"Cervical artificial total disc replacement is proven for the treatment of single level degenerative disc disease in skeletally mature patients when used with FDA approved implants"

"Cervical artificial total disc replacement is unproven for the treatment of multiple level degenerative disc disease in skeletally mature patients."

"Lumbar artificial total disc replacement is unproven for the treatment of single or multiple level degenerative disc disease in skeletally mature patients."

https://www.unitedhealthcareonline.c..._the_Spine.pdf