I've waited five years for the technology so that I wouldn't have to have fusion on three levels. Now that my lumbar is too far gone for ADR I had scheduled fusion at one level with Dynesis on two adjacent levels. I scheduled that over three months ago and the surgery was to be Sept. 22. Today I got the call that Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles declined to accept me as a patient because I was a medicare Patient. Medicare won't pay for the BMP for the fusion and they don't pay enough for hospital stay. So I've cancelled.

Cervie, I am so sorry! How absurd and how ANGRY you must be! http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...s/icon_mad.gif

So many people have tried to change the direction(s) some insurance companies are taking. Does your unfortunate plight relate to Amy's thread about CMS?!

Let us know how we can help. http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...n_confused.gif

Amy's thread about CMS deals with whether or not Medicare will pay for the ARtificial disk. My surgery was fusion and Dynesis and Dynsis is considered fusion, so Medicare will pay for it. It was the Hospital that is refusing to see a Medicare patient. We work our whole lives to qualify for retirement and Medicare. But if the hospitals and Doctors won't accept Medicare it is of little use. I have a secondary insurance company so I'll try to contact them, but I doubt if they will pick up the vast difference.

Cervie,

Sorry to hear the news. I wish you the best with your secondary insurance. I hope your husband is feeling better too.

Justin

Very upsetting news indeed--you've been through so much already. Does your surgeon work at any other hospital(s)?

Jeez, Hilary, what a bummer! After all your research and agonizing, to be dumped by the hospital. The stress! I hope you had a stiff shot of your favorite beverage.

We are so lucky in Canada - it's a lot simpler - you either takes what public health care offers you, or you cashes in your retirement plan and goes elsewhere!

Cervie,

How about trying for the Century City Doctors hospital? Regan is going to be doing surgery there very shortly.

Dan

Hilary,

How terribly disappointing although my feelings are closer to fury. I just read in this mornings paper that our brains are continuing to evolve and grow is size. It makes you wonder if those who decide on our health care aren't throw-backs to the neanderthal.

The Doctor's Hospital is now open but I don't know their policy on Medicare. I do know that they don't accept many insurances, including Blue Cross, because they don't pay enough. As a cash patient Cedars wanted $78,000 but the Doctor's Hospital wanted $90,000. I'm going to Germany!

Hilary, you don't deserve this and I'm very sorry. Good luck in trying a different direction.
Dale

I recently heard from a friend and a patient of Dr. Regan's that he does not accept insurance of any kind. Does anyone know this to be true or not? Thanks, Carmont

Cerve,

This is absolutely appalling and I can�t believe a hospital with such a reputation would not take Medicare. Have you spoken to Dr Bray? He has so many patients, he must of run across this before.

You do will certainly deserve gold and diamond hardware after this.

Hang in there. I will be praying for you. Keep us posted.

Not only did I get kicked out of Cedars Sinai, have my surgery cancelled and now the administrator saw fit to move this thread to the big waste bucket. I feel this issue is important to all as whether goes Medicare, the rest of the insurers are sure to follow. Thanks for making me feel even lousyier.

Cervie, it breaks my heart when I read threads like yours. You may have seen my earlier post in this topic to you, so when I am criticized for moving the post as an insurance related topic in The Big Bucket, it makes me even more discouraged.

Cervie, I am doing my best here, pls try to understand. If you have complaints or questions, pls email me anytime -- I am usually very responsive.

Hilary,

In my opinion this issue and YOU are very important and no matter where it is on the forum people will find you and be here for you. You have been through so much and don�t deserve to feel let down. Not even by a bulletin board.

I do know how you feel to have a thread moved, its like you did something wrong or your topic is not important. But I do understand where Harrison is coming from. He just wants things to be filed in the best place for the future of the forum. If he didn�t keep thing in proper order the forum would be a mess.

Would they consider the BMP if you add bone chips to it. I read somewhere that BMP takes even better when you add bone chips to it. Don�t know if you can use donor bone. Your hipbones must have taken a beating from the past.

Will be very interested on how your secondary insurance steps up to the plate. Hang in there.

PS: I have a letter that an attorney helped me write to my insurance if you would like to see it PM me. It asked them to explain why they came up to their decision not to pay for certain things in that legal jargon.

Amy, Paulette -- thanks. Ditto on all fronts!