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Insurance Hell All insurance-related matters are here: Medicare, worker's compensation, appeals, denials, insights, wins, losses. PRICING is here too. Note: This forum has posts from 2006 forward. Older ones are in the Big File. |
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Judge orders ins. To pay for ADR
LANDMARK RULING: JUDGE ORDERS INSURER TO PAY FOR ADR
Robin Young • Fri, August 23rd, 2013 “The Court concludes that CIGNA has failed to prove that two-level ADR is an experimental procedure excluded from the Plan’s coverage.” – U.S. District Court Judge Dolly M. Gee on July 31, 2013 Danica Dubaich was in agony. She had bilateral foot pain, low back pain, left arm and hand weakness, right thigh numbness, right hip pain and headaches. Her physician, Brian Rudin, M.D., diagnosed degenerative disc disease at L5-S1. To confirm his diagnosis Dr. Rudin performed a discogram of Ms. Dubaich’s spine which clearly showed an annular tear at L5-S1. The discogram was consistent with an earlier MRI image which also indicated that pain was emanating from L5-S1. Danica Dubaich was 44 years old when Dr. Rudin completed his diagnosis. Given her age and otherwise good health, Dr. Rudin thought Dubaich was a good candidate for a motion preserving implant—either Charité from DePuy or ProDisc-L from…well, DePuy/Synthes. Of course, Dubaich’s insurer (CIGNA) rejected Dr. Rudin’s request for a pre-authorization of the motion preservation implant as being “not medically necessary.” Such rejections are so common that the appeal letters are now free on Internet gaming sites or the corner of 16th and Broadway from Nigerian street vendors. (That may be a slight exaggeration.) CIGNA’s medical coverage policy document says that fusion is the reimbursable course of treatment for patients with Dubaich’s diagnosis. But Dubaich did not want fusion. Neither did her doctor, Dr. Rudin. So she fought back. Here’s how Dubaich and her lawyers beat one of the largest insurance companies in America. The Road to Justice Act I: DENY the Surgery CIGNA’s Medical Coverage Policy states “CIGNA covers the surgical implantation of Charité or ProDisc-L…as medically necessary” when the medical criteria are met. In 2011, after exhausting all conservative treatment, Dr. Rudin submitted a pre-authorization for a two level ADR [artificial disc replacement] at L5-L5 and L5-S1. CIGNA’s pre-authorization nurse denied Dr. Rudin’s request saying “documentation submitted does not confirm that disc degeneration has been confirmed on complex imaging studies such as magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography.” Then CIGNA assigned a urologist to review Dubaich’s file. The good urologist then opined that the treatment should be denied as experimental. Here’s his quote: “Based upon current available information, coverage cannot be approved because there is insufficient scientific evidence to demonstrate the safety and/or effectiveness of any of the following in treating degenerative disc disease: Charité or ProDisc-L lumbosacral intervertebral disc prosthesis when any of the following apply: the planned procedure includes the combined use of a prosthesis and spinal fusion simultaneous multi-level implantation is planned the implant will be inserted outside of the L4-S1 region (Charité) or outside of the L3-S 1 region (ProDisc-L-L) [sic] the individual has osteopenia or osteoporosis (T-score less than -1.0) –the individual has a history of a prior lumbar fusion there is evidence on imaging studies the spine [sic] of any of the following: degenerative spondylolisthesis of Grade 2 or greater infection multi-level degenerative disc disease nerve root compression or spinal stenosis pars interarticularis defect with either spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis scoliosis severe facet joint arthrosis spinal fracture tumor a lumbosacral disc prosthesis other than Charité or ProDisc-L. At the present time, each is considered non-standard therapy and falls under the category of experimental/investigational/unproven. Your benefit plan does not cover experimental/investigational/unproven services.” CIGNA issued its Initial Case Resolution Letter on July 11, 2011. Importantly, that letter did not state the reason for the denial nor anything about absence of medical necessity or lack of FDA approval. The Road to Justice ACT II: DENY the Science Two days after CIGNA’s rejection, Dr. Rudin appealed. He told CIGNA that he’d personally performed more than 200 disc replacements. He also cited several recent studies including the 2011 study by Delamarter et al., (The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery). Here it is: “The full title of this study is Prospective, Randomized, Multicenter Food and Drug Administration Investigational Device Exemption Study of the ProDisc-L Total Disc Replacement Compared with Circumferential Arthrodesis for the Treatment of Two-Level Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease. The study compared the efficacy of ProDisc-L ADR with that of spinal fusion for ‘the treatment of degenerative disc disease at two contiguous vertebral levels from L3 to S1.’ Using ‘a composite regulatory FDA-guided end point consisting of ten criteria,’ the study found that 58.8% of the two-level ADR patients ‘met all ten criteria and were considered a study success,’ as compared to 47.8% of the spinal fusion patients. It found that ‘the mean improvement [in back pain, as measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)] from baseline was 52.4% in the [ADR] group compared with 40.9% in the [fusion] group.’ According to the study, its ‘results suggest that the ProDisc-L total disc replacement is an appropriate alternate treatment to lumbar arthrodesis in [the two-level degenerative disc disease] patient population.’” Rudin also cited studies by Bertagnoli, Goldstein, Hannibal and others. CIGNA kicked Rudin’s appeal to another physician, an orthopedic surgeon named Dr. Mino. He upheld the urologist’s decision adding that the quality and quantity of data in the current peer-reviewed scientific literature was inadequate to establish the clinical utility, safety and efficacy of the use of an intervertebral disk prosthesis in any of these clinical presentations. (For other examples insurer bias, see “Lies, Damn Lies and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina”.) Road to Justice ACT III: APPEAL to a Higher Authority Rudin appealed again. This time CIGNA’s Benefit Appeals Committee responded saying that the matter had been previously reviewed and, relying solely on the urologist’s original evaluation while simultaneously ignoring Rudin’s studies, the committee ruled that ADR was experimental, investigational, etc. You know the drill. So Danica Dubaich walked into the law offices of Russell Petti and Lisa Kantor and asked if they would help her appeal these CIGNA rulings in district court. Fighting an insurer like CIGNA is expensive. If a patient can afford the litigation, they can afford the surgery—so no lawsuit. Petti and Kantor had to take the case on contingency. They get paid only if they win. At any point during the suit CIGNA can agree to reimburse, ending the suit, and Dubaich’s lawyers get nothing. Petti and Kantor decided to represent Danica Dubaich anyway and filed a lawsuit against CIGNA saying that CIGNA was violating the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974. Under ERISA, workers who have insurance are covered for medical expenses which are determined to be medically necessary by the Plan Administrator (ERISA). To be considered “medically necessary” under ERISA a treatment must: Be consistent with the diagnosis Meet quality medical practice standards Be the most appropriate level of service (for example, in the case of hospital inpatient care, care that could not be appropriately provided on an outpatient basis) Be recognized as an accepted medical practice and have received the required federal approval Not be primarily for the comfort and convenience of the patient The Plan excludes experimental and investigational treatments, listed under “General Medical Expenses Not Covered.” The specific language is as follows: Research, experimental, investigational and unproven procedures, supplies, drugs and devices (Federal Drug Administration [FDA] approval does not necessarily mean a procedure or supply has been removed from the experimental list), with the exception of pre-certified clinical trials. The term “experimental” is defined as follows: Any medical procedure, equipment, treatment or course of treatment, or drugs or medicines that are: limited to research not proven in an objective manner to have therapeutic value or benefit restricted to use by medical facilities capable of carrying out scientific studies of questionable medical effectiveness or would be considered inappropriate medical treatment The Road to Justice ACT IV: CIGNA Exits Stage Left Petti and Kantor filed the case in mid-2012 and over the course of the ensuing year fought it out. On July 31, 2013, United States District Court Judge Dolly M. Gee ruled. Here’s what Judge Gee said: “As a general matter, CIGNA has made no showing that multi-level ADR is experimental.” “CIGNA has not met its burden to show that multi-level ADR is limited to research. Dr. Rudin offered Dubaich the procedure and has personally performed approximately 200 multi-level disc replacements. Nothing in the record establishes that the procedure is limited to research. Therefore, on this record, it does not appear that multi-level ADR is limited to research.” “CIGNA has not met its burden to show that multi-level ADR lacks therapeutic benefit. The Delamarter Study found two-level ADR to have better reduced back pain than spinal fusion, and the Bertagnoli Study found that two-level ADR eliminated instances of severe back pain and improved ranges of motion.” “CIGNA has not met its burden to show that multi-level ADR is restricted to use by medical facilities capable of carrying out scientific studies.” “CIGNA has not met its burden to show that multi-level ADR is of questionable medical effectiveness. All the studies Dr. Rudin submitted found equal or better success in two-level ADR as single-level ADR. CIGNA does not dispute that single-level ADR is medically effective. CIGNA has not demonstrated that two-level ADR is not similarly effective.” “CIGNA has not met its burden to show that multi-level ADR would be considered inappropriate medical treatment. Dr. Rudin stated that Dubaich specifically is a good candidate for multi-level ADR. CIGNA has not rebutted Dr. Rudin’s assessment.” “The Court concludes that CIGNA has failed to prove that two-level ADR is an experimental procedure excluded from the Plan’s coverage. When confronted with Dr. Rudin’s evidence that two-level ADR is not experimental, CIGNA merely stated that the quality and quantity of such evidence is inadequate.” With that, Judge Gee ruled that Danica Dubaich was entitled to coverage for a multi-level ADR. She is now enjoying her two new Pro-Disc-Ls. Curtain Call Having persevered in this landmark case, Dubaich’s lawyers are now preparing to challenge other cases of rejection of proper medical care by healthcare insurers including rulings based on Milliman guidelines. We look forward to reporting on more patient, physician and scientifically sound rulings.
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50 year old female Rear-Ended in 2009 Disk rupture cervical 5-6 & 6-7 2 level M6 ADR, Dr. Clavel - Oct. 2012 Insurance paid Not a day goes by that without me whispering a silent "thank you" to Dr. Clavel Post Op 2+ years Cross Fit 3-5 times a week Running 5ks |
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Thanks for such great news!
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MRI shows C5/6 & 6/7 DDD along with lower cervical kyphosis Recent onset of some arm numbness 9/03/13 2 level M6 ADR's C5/6 6/7 |
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This judgment makes absolute perfect sense and definitely a step in the right direction. I've copied and added to my cumulative file of weapons for BCBS.
Thank you for sharing. Laura
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2006 C 5/6 discectomy and fusion 2008 Automobile Accident C3/4 leftward bulging of intervertebral disc mild narrowing of left lateral recess C4/5 central and rightward bulging of disc and osteophyte causing mild right neural foramen stenosis narrowing and right lateral recess narrowing C6/7 Central disc bulging and osteophyte and hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum canal stenosis and narrowing of bilateral neural foramina Sept 9, 2013 Scheduled with Dr. Bierstedt C4/5 & C6/7 M6 |
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Thank you.
Thank you,
This will be copied and will try my best to pass this along, it is amazing what the political winds will do. There is money in this and not to make waves, but this DePuy, is the only company 'two' discs that has approval here in the USA ?? |
#5
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Danica loves her new disks...I am awaiting the same surgery from the same surgeon with big A as my insurance company.
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#6
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I have just submitted all of my data to BlueCard Worldwide International for
my M6-C sandwich. I defy all FDA approval here in the U.S. (M6 device, and adjacent to a prior fusion), but am thinking positively that they will see the light. I will update as I await a response from the "powers that be."
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2006 C 5/6 discectomy and fusion 2008 Automobile Accident C3/4 leftward bulging of intervertebral disc mild narrowing of left lateral recess C4/5 central and rightward bulging of disc and osteophyte causing mild right neural foramen stenosis narrowing and right lateral recess narrowing C6/7 Central disc bulging and osteophyte and hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum canal stenosis and narrowing of bilateral neural foramina Sept 9, 2013 Scheduled with Dr. Bierstedt C4/5 & C6/7 M6 |
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LauraB,
My wife had a cervical fusion and cervical ADR (M6-C) this past Dec 2012. We have Federal BC/BS. We are Appealing their denial of coverage. Maybe we can compare notes. Gary (message sent 15 Oct 2013) |
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Gary,
I have been turned down by BC/BS of IL. Their response was that I had not undergone the non-invasive prerequisite treatments. I submitted five years of injections, physical therapy, traction, neurotomy, a discogram indicating radiculopathy. Apparently the thick packet intimidated them enough that they didn't both to read....just responded that once again that surgery wasn't necessary. I do believe that it may have been due to the request for ADR from a Chicago surgeon (?) I am more than pleased to share whatever response (hopefully positive) with the forum. I am anxiously awaiting to hear. (personal note - I did respond to your PM)
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2006 C 5/6 discectomy and fusion 2008 Automobile Accident C3/4 leftward bulging of intervertebral disc mild narrowing of left lateral recess C4/5 central and rightward bulging of disc and osteophyte causing mild right neural foramen stenosis narrowing and right lateral recess narrowing C6/7 Central disc bulging and osteophyte and hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum canal stenosis and narrowing of bilateral neural foramina Sept 9, 2013 Scheduled with Dr. Bierstedt C4/5 & C6/7 M6 |
#9
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Wow, Laura, I'm sorry to hear about your denial... Makes no sense. Why did BCBS reimburse me and deny others?? Seems there is no rhyme or reason to approvals and denials.
Hope you are doing well. We just got back from Spain and I'm trying to catch up. Have over a 1000 emails in my box - I bet 80% of them are junk! but I still have to wade through them. Let's catch up soon!
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50 year old female Rear-Ended in 2009 Disk rupture cervical 5-6 & 6-7 2 level M6 ADR, Dr. Clavel - Oct. 2012 Insurance paid Not a day goes by that without me whispering a silent "thank you" to Dr. Clavel Post Op 2+ years Cross Fit 3-5 times a week Running 5ks |
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Denial
Here I have VA/BCBS, they will not allow an out of country surgeon.
Gee I wonder why, next they will tell me I need a Fusion. Wrong Answer, I have another referral to the Physical, and a (another) referral to a NS, will see what happens, I will go for an ADR, actually more than one. This is unbelievable, the FDA in this country needs to be Disbanded. I wonder if some politician like Waxman, who was one of the authors of the ACA, are in charge of this, they have "NO" medical background. NONE. While they have Dr's as Commissioners, we can rest assured, that some politician is telling them what and to whom, the approvals are given. Jerry |
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