The good news:

Got a surgeon experienced in ADR (Dr. Bradford Mullin [Columbus, OH], participated in original FDA study, has done about 100 ADR surgeries) that agrees that a Charite replacement is the best option for me.

The hard to categorize news:

Not really sure what UHC is going to do. I am presuming that they will deny. Guess I will find out in the near future. If they approve me, then so be it (unlikely). If they deny me (repeatedly), then I will at least consider Germany. If Germany is around $30k, and here in the U.S. is significantly more, and I have to foot the bill, then that is an easy decision.

The bad news:

I need to get *another* discogram (just had one done in February). Why? Short answer - previous surgeon didn't produce any films. Long answer - Previous forum post

At least my life is starting to move in the direction that I want it though.

David

David welcome to the ratrace we call the insurance appeals process. I just turned my first and only appeal with Tricare (military) insurance, so if you need any of the paper work that I have gathered from this site and on my own just let me know. Cathy

Thanks. I will definitely keep that in mind. It is highly likely that I will be taking you up on that offer eventually.

David

Good luck, I just got my final denial from my Benefits Committee today. Calling UHC to schedule fusion asap.

Sorry to hear that. I am pretty much presuming that the same *may* happen to me.

If I am fully denied, then I will probably just head to the AK in Germany.

[do you mind if I ask in general why they denied you? Of course, feel free to say that you mind]

David

Sorry John, I am right behind you with UHC here in VA. I should be submitting my first paperwork next month after I get back from the AK and having the tests done. I would also be very interested to know what their grounds were. This was now the appeal to your company as the "self insured" plan right?

You don't happen to work for a major telecom company do you?

"You don't happen to work for a major telecom company do you?"

Interesting question. Depends on how you define "major", but yes, I do work for a telecom company here in Ohio.

David

I was actually addressing that to John, because I know my company has a presence in Greensboro. But that is a coincidence as we all have UHC. Is your company's headquarters in Ashburn VA? I work at our headquarters building, but we have buildings in almost all of the states. I know we have a major center in Hilliard.

Wow. That is extremely ironic.

I am guessing that you work for MCI? (I drive past the Hilliard office twice a day)

I work for the telecom that attempted to buy MCI, but failed miserably http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common.../icon_wink.gif

David

Bingo and gotcha!