gclc1457,
I am sorry that you and I are both stuck in the same situation of losing the battle against the overly powerful and well funded insurance companies. Isn't is ironic that they are so well funded due to all the money they take from our pay checks each week!
If you're up to it post-op, please let me know how things go with the fusion. I have an appointment with my surgeon in two days and will be asking for the surgical codes for the hybrid and for a bi-level fusion to present to my insurance company to see what exactly they
are willing to actually cover!
Good luck to you, and quite literally, I believe I feel your pain!