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  #21  
Old 04-08-2015, 10:30 AM
JeffR JeffR is offline
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Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 356
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If I was in the US facing surgery without insurance IN ALL CASES then I would go to Europe in a heartbeat. The surgeons there have better discs available, the best have done more ADRs than US doctors and the cost would be less in most cases (at least it was WAYYY less for me), i.e. 75K in the US versus 43K in Europe (this was a while back though and I understand prices have gone up considerably).

I think the fear of lack of follow-up is overstated, you just need to find a sympathetic doctor which isn't that hard to find - many doctors will be very curious about your new device and would welcome the chance to learn something. The odds of something going south post surgery are VERY low and I don't think it really matters if you are here or there if that occurs, you still will have to pay out of pocket and likely travel.

-Jeff
__________________
Lifelong history of back issues from a young age, spasms etc.
1995 - Weightlifting injury
1997 - Hip Injury
2009 - Trampoline injury (just bounced down on my butt)
2009-2011 Physiotherapy and medication, progress but no lasting pain relief
2010 - X-Ray DDD L5-S1, L4-L5, L4-L3
2010 - MRI Herniation L5-S1, Bulges L4-L5, L4-L3
2011 - Epidurals - No relief
2012 - Facet Injections - No relief
2012 - Discogram TBI - positive L3-S1

L3-S1 ADR M6-L w Clavel 11/28/2012
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  #22  
Old 04-09-2015, 12:22 AM
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scoop302 scoop302 is offline
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Posts: 193
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I would have to agree with Jeff. My surgery in Spain was about $47,000 for everything. Three first class tickets (my brother and mother had a vacation) and that was at 1.43 dollar to euro. If I had the surgery done here, assuming that I could even have ADR, it would have been over $80,000. Most would not do it because of the previous fusion and the amount of damage consisting of bone spurs, narrowing in the foramen. I am currently seeing an orthopedic surgeon who would have done 2 mobi-c's. I didn't ask about price, since there was no point, but he said it would have been more. The only other doctor that would do it, uses either Bryan or pro disc which I would never do. I need to have two done in my back. Here it would be hybrid, fusion and pro disc. I know it will be more than overseas, but after going to Spain, when I need to do it, I know I will go back. You cannot put a price on experience and this isn't a hip or knee, there really are not any do overs. Plus, I know scars are cool and all, but I look like I tried to hang myself, I don't need to continue the scar all the way around. Although, this past halloween, I painted some stitches on it and gave candy to the kids and shocked their parents.
__________________
1979 car accident: rear ended
1980 ACDF C4-5
4/8/11 stopped, hit again
3 epidurals, PT, 2 MRI's,etc.
scheduled 3 times for C5-6, 6-7 fusion,
plus laminectomy at C3-4, and C 7, advised to do Bilateral lamino-foraminotomy C5-6, C6-7,a Percutaneous Discectomy L4 -L5
7/14 RFA on L3 to L5 (awake, local only)
C5-6,6-7 M-6 ADR with Dr. Clavel 9/17/14,
12/7/15 RFA L2-S1, Facet injections C2-7
6/3/16 RFA L2-S1, epidural L4,5, 8/26/16 RFA C1-7
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  #23  
Old 04-09-2015, 08:25 AM
Romakis's Avatar
Romakis Romakis is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 197
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scoop302 View Post
Although, this past halloween, I painted some stitches on it and gave candy to the kids and shocked their parents.
Only Spinies can be so cool
__________________
46yo, DDD of L4-S1. Microdiscectomy L5-L4 in 2014. L4-L5-S1 M6 ADR with Dr. Clavel - June 2015.
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  #24  
Old 04-09-2015, 11:10 PM
NJ Gene NJ Gene is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 376
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffR View Post
If I was in the US facing surgery without insurance IN ALL CASES then I would go to Europe in a heartbeat. The surgeons there have better discs available, the best have done more ADRs than US doctors and the cost would be less in most cases (at least it was WAYYY less for me), i.e. 75K in the US versus 43K in Europe (this was a while back though and I understand prices have gone up considerably).

I think the fear of lack of follow-up is overstated, you just need to find a sympathetic doctor which isn't that hard to find - many doctors will be very curious about your new device and would welcome the chance to learn something. The odds of something going south post surgery are VERY low and I don't think it really matters if you are here or there if that occurs, you still will have to pay out of pocket and likely travel.

-Jeff
Jeff, I might be the exception to the rule. I'm having one level done at TBI for $22,375. That covers the surgery, anesthesia, one night in hospital, follow-up, etc. It does not include travel and lodging, but that's obviously much less staying domestic vs overseas. I will of course take a nice tax deduction when I prepare my 2015 taxes.

Gene
__________________
Car Accident 2002 - Small Herniated Disc C3/C4
1998 Larger Herniation and Cervical Fusion C3/C4
2005 Herniation C4/C5 - 40 epidural steroid injections from Oct 2005, - Oct, 2007
2008 - Foraminotomy at C6/C7 on left side
Feb, 2010 - Cervical Fusion C4/C5
Dec, 2010 - Lumbar Fusion L3/L5
2013 - Bulge on C5/C6; herniation C6/C7 right side
Mar 26, 2013 - Foraminotomy at C6/C7 on right side
May 5, 2015 - ADR with Dr Blumenthal of TBI for C5/C6 using Mobi-C
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  #25  
Old 04-10-2015, 12:14 PM
JeffR JeffR is offline
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Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 356
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That's a very good price from what I know. To put that in perspective when I had a discogram through TBI the company they subcontracted to tried to tried to fleece me for 18K saying that was the standard rate for discograms. I had it in writing that the whole procedure was going to cost 3K so they eventually relented, but it took a while.

-Jeff
__________________
Lifelong history of back issues from a young age, spasms etc.
1995 - Weightlifting injury
1997 - Hip Injury
2009 - Trampoline injury (just bounced down on my butt)
2009-2011 Physiotherapy and medication, progress but no lasting pain relief
2010 - X-Ray DDD L5-S1, L4-L5, L4-L3
2010 - MRI Herniation L5-S1, Bulges L4-L5, L4-L3
2011 - Epidurals - No relief
2012 - Facet Injections - No relief
2012 - Discogram TBI - positive L3-S1

L3-S1 ADR M6-L w Clavel 11/28/2012
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  #26  
Old 04-12-2015, 07:33 PM
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Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 666
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Colorado Babe, I just saw the link you posted to your interview! I'm so happy the two procedures restored your life. That is just truly amazing! Thanks for sharing
__________________
2006: epidural shots did nothing; 2 surgeons recommended 2 level fusion, I declined.
2007 - 2010 4 foraminotomy and cord decompression cervical surgeries and 2 endoscopic discectomy T7-T8 surgeries; total 6 with Dr. Jho (Pittsburgh,PA) My C6/C7 autofused around 2009.
2013 - 2015: epidurals 3 times (again did nothing) and 4 Radiofrequency ablation (or RFA) procedures.
2016 more RFAs, hit the 10 year mark of this insanity and pain, 3 level M6-C ADR with Dr. Clavel May 19, 2016
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  #27  
Old 04-12-2015, 07:39 PM
Cynlite's Avatar
Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 666
Default Private pay prices

Thanks to everyone who shared their surgery prices! If I get enough of them on here, I'll put together a spreadsheet to post both here and on my international thread. Here's what I need:

Date
Cost
Procedure including type of disc
Surgeon
Location
Hospital

I think that will cover all the important info to share.
__________________
2006: epidural shots did nothing; 2 surgeons recommended 2 level fusion, I declined.
2007 - 2010 4 foraminotomy and cord decompression cervical surgeries and 2 endoscopic discectomy T7-T8 surgeries; total 6 with Dr. Jho (Pittsburgh,PA) My C6/C7 autofused around 2009.
2013 - 2015: epidurals 3 times (again did nothing) and 4 Radiofrequency ablation (or RFA) procedures.
2016 more RFAs, hit the 10 year mark of this insanity and pain, 3 level M6-C ADR with Dr. Clavel May 19, 2016
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  #28  
Old 04-12-2015, 09:02 PM
Cynlite's Avatar
Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 666
Default ADR Costs I have so far

__________________
2006: epidural shots did nothing; 2 surgeons recommended 2 level fusion, I declined.
2007 - 2010 4 foraminotomy and cord decompression cervical surgeries and 2 endoscopic discectomy T7-T8 surgeries; total 6 with Dr. Jho (Pittsburgh,PA) My C6/C7 autofused around 2009.
2013 - 2015: epidurals 3 times (again did nothing) and 4 Radiofrequency ablation (or RFA) procedures.
2016 more RFAs, hit the 10 year mark of this insanity and pain, 3 level M6-C ADR with Dr. Clavel May 19, 2016

Last edited by Cynlite; 04-13-2015 at 11:49 PM.
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  #29  
Old 04-13-2015, 12:08 PM
colorado babe's Avatar
colorado babe colorado babe is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 345
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I can give you the breakdown for my two-level cervical Mobi-C (C5-7) and fusion at L5-S1. Sorry but I had two procedures done. I'll include what was billed and how much UHC allowed.

Northern CO Anesthesia Professional's: $2, 646.00 Allowed: $521.41
Northern CO Surgical Association: $3,835 Allowed: $889.61
Rocky Mountain Associates and Ortho MED PC (Assistant Surgeon): $2880 Allowed$244.97
Poudre Valley Hospital: $110, 259.65, Allowed: $21,786.27
Rocky Mountain Associate & Ortho MED PC: 15, 589.00 Allowed: $2,420

Total paid by insurance: $25,861.85

I was in the hospital for 2 nights.
__________________
1998- Injured neck and back in USAF
2011 - Started experiencing Severe Symptoms, Migranes, numbness, spasms in legs and feet and sciatica.
Feb 2014 - Received upper Lumbar Injection - Severe Allergy to injection
Mar 2014 - MRI of Cervical and Lumbar, protruding disc in C3-7, Herniated Disc in L5/S1, placed on STD and FMLA )
July 2014 - Stem Cell Procedure performed
Oct 20, 2014 - ADR (MOBI-C) at C5-7 and Anterior Fusion at L5/S1 by Dr. Pettine and Dr. Techy

Last edited by colorado babe; 04-13-2015 at 05:41 PM.
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  #30  
Old 04-13-2015, 12:25 PM
Cynlite's Avatar
Cynlite Cynlite is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 666
Default ADR Costs I have so far

Thanks Colorado Babe for your input. Here's the revised spreadsheet:

__________________
2006: epidural shots did nothing; 2 surgeons recommended 2 level fusion, I declined.
2007 - 2010 4 foraminotomy and cord decompression cervical surgeries and 2 endoscopic discectomy T7-T8 surgeries; total 6 with Dr. Jho (Pittsburgh,PA) My C6/C7 autofused around 2009.
2013 - 2015: epidurals 3 times (again did nothing) and 4 Radiofrequency ablation (or RFA) procedures.
2016 more RFAs, hit the 10 year mark of this insanity and pain, 3 level M6-C ADR with Dr. Clavel May 19, 2016

Last edited by Cynlite; 04-13-2015 at 11:50 PM.
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