[gymnast1981]

If I understood it correctly... PAL is a part of Synthes (Pro Disc-L) My doctor's office knew that UHC would deny the claim, so they started the process with PAL as soon as I decided that I wanted to have the surgery. We got all the info together to get ready to fight the appeal. (denial was upheld so we are starting with an independent reviewer to make the final decision). Again if I understand it correctly Synthes (Pro Disc) has a hotline to help patients get the procedure covered. I look at it as its considered "new" and "un proven" so if Synthes can help people that need the procedure then they get paid so it benefits them and the patient. (but then again I'm not exactly sure)

Since I wanted to have ADR I wanted to get the process rolling and a few days after my doctor filed his surgery orders to UHC all my info was sent to PAL and with in a day or two a representative called me to get my approval to have PAL represent me. They have been nothing but great. I work with Amy from PAL and I shoot her an email and by the end of the day she gets back to me, even if it "I'm not sure but ill get back to you asap."

PAL gets the info ready to go towards the advocacy (in my case it is LindstromAdvocy) I did some research on him and his company and he graduated from law school and advocates for people that are fighting insurance companies to cover procedures that are considered "experimental' or "unproven"

here is the link that I found that gives more of a description on what PAL is and how it works

http://www.synthes.com/MediaBin/US%2...cC-LJ8699B.pdf