We be going to England!

[Shay]

Love that you love your STALIF!
Yes, I guess that would make sense. Plan for the ADR and depending what happens...
Once I get confirmation on the date, we'll make plans to meet up!
Thanks for reminding me to put some trust in Boeree. After not trusting ANYONE thru this whole process, it's difficult to use that muscle again!
Shay

[srajan0929]

from the impression i had so far, boree is probably the one guy who worries more about your health rather than the process of getting money from you. i cant wait to talk wtih him. i am scheduled for an mri next wednesday. after that, i will send in my mris through the computer and send it over to him and hear what hes got to say...

[Shay]

January 18th!

Haven't booked the flight so don't know exactly when we will be in town, but YEAH!
A light at the end of the very long tunnel.
We had our 4th and final level appeal yesterday with AWC board (our insurance bargaining group) meeting.
We enter a conference room with 18 people,6 of them Regence reps and a DR. Manly on the phone as a regence doc (who by the way is not a spinal surgeon and been out of practice for 21 years.)
We sit at this tiny little table in the center of the room. Yona wrote a speech for me and I broke down in the middle and started crying, damn it!
Other than the intimidation factor it went well. The AWC board asked intelligent questions and seemed genuinely concerned.
This is the first time I feel heard! (other than here.)
I didn't realize how important that was to my state of mind. Just to be heard by a group of people, interact and have an opportunity to share the injustice and consequences for my life and job if no action is taken.
Yona was with me as my medical advocate and fielded most of the questions actually, she was great at pointing out that the doctor they were listening to as an expert was not a peer of a any currently practicing spinal surgeon. So many people believe that if Regence says its so, then it must be! Such baloney. I really don't have much hope that AWC will overturn the denial, but hoping this will open their eyes to the larger issues here and who the players are in the insurance industry (Milliman), and how Milliman, (an actuarial) is writing our U.S. insurance policies. AWC said this was the first time they ever had a 4th level appeal. I am floored by that.
In case you wondering, an approval would not change my plans for traveling overseas. It would allow us to submit for reimbursement however. I do believe all this happened for a reason. Now that we are educated on surgical technique and devices and such, I do think it is in my best interest to stick with my current plan.
Shay

[ouch2]

Shay, Congrats on getting your date set! So exciting. Sounds like you have been through soo much, so good for you that things are moving forward now.
I am looking at having my adr in February...but no firm date set yet. Can't wait !
Wishing you all the best!
Karen

[Jstuckey]

Wow. Thanks for going through that on behalf of all of us, and future spinal patients! I am thankful I ended up in Mr Boeree's hands, but hopefully there will be a multitude of skilled surgeons using the best equipment someday on our own soil because of people fighting the fight like you did.

[back2lifeplease]

Looks like I will be there a week before you. Look forward to seeing you over there.

Originally Posted by Shay

January 18th!

Haven't booked the flight so don't know exactly when we will be in town, but YEAH!
A light at the end of the very long tunnel.
We had our 4th and final level appeal yesterday with AWC board (our insurance bargaining group) meeting.
We enter a conference room with 18 people,6 of them Regence reps and a DR. Manly on the phone as a regence doc (who by the way is not a spinal surgeon and been out of practice for 21 years.)
We sit at this tiny little table in the center of the room. Yona wrote a speech for me and I broke down in the middle and started crying, damn it!
Other than the intimidation factor it went well. The AWC board asked intelligent questions and seemed genuinely concerned.
This is the first time I feel heard! (other than here.)
I didn't realize how important that was to my state of mind. Just to be heard by a group of people, interact and have an opportunity to share the injustice and consequences for my life and job if no action is taken.
Yona was with me as my medical advocate and fielded most of the questions actually, she was great at pointing out that the doctor they were listening to as an expert was not a peer of a any currently practicing spinal surgeon. So many people believe that if Regence says its so, then it must be! Such baloney. I really don't have much hope that AWC will overturn the denial, but hoping this will open their eyes to the larger issues here and who the players are in the insurance industry (Milliman), and how Milliman, (an actuarial) is writing our U.S. insurance policies. AWC said this was the first time they ever had a 4th level appeal. I am floored by that.
In case you wondering, an approval would not change my plans for traveling overseas. It would allow us to submit for reimbursement however. I do believe all this happened for a reason. Now that we are educated on surgical technique and devices and such, I do think it is in my best interest to stick with my current plan.
Shay