Well I got a letter from my senator's office encouraging Regence Blue Shield to pay for my surgery. I am now going to attempt to contact all of the news stations again. Hoping a letter from the senator may get my foot in the door. Please wish me luck.

See below for the letter.

Way to go! I sure hope this is the key to open the insurance companys eyes. Keep us posted

Hi Nicole:

Could you post the text of the letter?

Thanks.

April 12, 2005
Gwen Mills
Regence Blue Shield
1800 9th Ave
Seattle, Washington 98111

RE:� Ms. Nichole
Dear Gwen:
My constituent, Ms. Nichole Slusser, has contacted my office for assistance with an issue within regarding Regence Blue Shield. Ms. Slusser has degenerative disc Disease, and has asked Regence Blue Shield to cover the cost of the Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery using the Charite Disc made by the Depuy Company, which she claims is the most appropriate medical solution to her problem. According to Ms. Slusser, Regence Blue Shield denied her request to reimburse her for the surgery, giving the reasoning that the Charite Disc is still in investigational stages.

Last October the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the Charite Disc. I encourage Regence Blue Shield to reexamine Ms. Slusser�s Claim and consider reimbursing her for the cost of the Charite Disc and the Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery. I surely can appreciate the difficulties that face today�s medical field, with rising costs and a multiplicity of patients and needs creating a huge challenge to running a profitable business. In this case, however, it appears that the Charite disc could potentially be the only solution to Ms. Slusser medical condition. This letter is only intended to encourage Regence Blue Shield to change their initial decision, and in no way constitutes any threat of Congressional action in any way whatsoever.

I look forward to any response you choose to send to my. If you do so please direct your
response to Isaac Castellano in my Seattle District Office at Jackson Federal Building, 915 2nd Avenue, Suite 3206 Seattle, Washington, 98174, Isaac Castellan can be pachecivii: phone:
206-220-6400, fax: 206-220-6404, or email: isaac_castel1anocantwel1.senate.gov.

If I can provide any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Sincerely,
Maria Cantwell
United States Senator

Hi Nicole:

Thanks for posting the text!
Powerful letter!

Gentle but effective observation of fact:

"According to Ms. Slusser, Regents Blue Shield denied her request to reimburse her for the surgery, giving the reasoning that the Charite Disc is still in investigational stages.

Last October the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the Charite Disc."

Yes!

This bit clarfication is instructive:

"This letter is only intended to encourage Regents Blue Shield to change their initial decision, and in no way constitutes any threat of Congressional action in any way whatsoever."

The mention of Congressional action is telling.

You are "lucky" to need only 1 lumbar level and that the Charite is FDA approved.

Good luck!

P.S. For your privacy you might want to delete your last name and home address.

That's too cool. Hope it works!

WOW!

I sure am glad this gal is on my side...I don't think she is gonna stop till they cave in out of fear http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common.../icon_wink.gif

Wow: that's standing up for yourself. http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif

Nichole,

You are unstoppable! Best of luck to you.

Jim