CCFour,
Like you, most of us are in the same predicament regardless of the policy. The insurance will generally pay for the standard procedure (usually fusion), but some will cover the FDA approved ADR's if it fits their ever-changing criteria. Since the more popular M6 is not FDA approved, you probably need to consider this as an out-of-pocket expense with hopes of some return on the medical portion of your taxes. There are a few cases of BCBS covering the procedure and I'm in the process myself.
Given your age, it would be well worth your while to address this issue. With your pain and health in control, you have the opportunity to work and easily gain back this "investment" in yourself. In perspective, people spend as much on a car and it depreciates or is cast aside within a relatively short time. The expense and quality of surgery in Europe is well worth the inquiry.
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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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