Mark,
I would recommend getting at least three opinions with experienced, well known ADR docs,as I did. Not one of them matched exactly but I felt I was able to make the best decision. I even traveled to Munich just to have a consult with Dr. Zeegars at the Alphaklinik as I would rather pay a little more upfront than pay for it after the fact.
As far as I know, UHC has not paid for ADR for anyone. Charite ADR was approved by the FDA in 04 and they are still not paying. I have UHC and had Charite ADR at two levels plus a fusion at L5/S1 this past September. With the fusion, UHC paid for all my expenses less the actual ADR fees. So, out of what was a 70K surgery, I had to pay 20K out of pocket. I believe my surgery was a bit more expensive than average though, it was in Manhattan, which might explain it.
Anyway, good luck!
__________________
Juli
DDD L3-L4 on down since 1990
Surgery 9/26/05 with Dr. Bitan in NYC to complete partial congenital fusion of L5-S1 and ADR at L3-L4 and L4-5.
Feeling great!
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