Doctors not taking worker's comp patients

[Carol]

I am a candidate for two level ADR and was scheduled May 26, 2005, but last week my doc called and said that the hospitals here were not approved to do the two levels. Since then, I have contacted Texas Back Inst and Dr. Bray in LA and both have said that they no longer take any workers comp. Any idea why WC is not wanted by these doctors? I am on Fed WC. Anyone out there having two levels done on workers comp, especially Federal WC?

Thanks.....Carol

[Dano]

Carol, I'm sorry that you are having such a hard time esp. since I'm a two level and Dr. Bray did my surg.
There has been a crisis looming in WC medical care for quite some time. Doctors have been required to fill out more and more paper work. Many Drs. inc. Bray hired staff that all they did was fill out and deal with WC rules and regulations. Then along came Arnold the (govenator) he was able to SLASH payments to healthcare providers by more than half. Benift's to workers by 50% but refused to put price controlls on the WC insurance co's! Then some bright people went to the Fair Political Practices Comission and got his campain statements. Gess what they found? The single largest contributers by group were in WC Insurance Companies! Then they looked at WC Insurance Costs and they went up 18% on the year! Then they looked at WC Insurance company profit's--- record highs 4 billion $$$$$$ yes that is a BIG "B" and several of them. Some will say that less WC patients return to work than non wc pts. Although, that has not been Bray's experience, his problem is he is moving his office and the extra staff is not being paid for by the incrediably low payments from WC. + he is booking appts. in July. I'm not saying it is right, just what is causing the best Doc's to say they have had enough! You cant really blame them. Send Arnold a letter and tell him how you feel. Or better yet send a ltr to Maria S. she seems to be concernd with her husbands low popularity and the public's perception of him. I hope I have answerd your question. PS. What starts in CA spreds west!! Take care, Dano

[Carol]

Thanks Dano.....it is not a good trend. Injured workers need the same health care as the private sector, as you know. I am glad that you got the surgery before he decided not to take on any more wc. Mine is a bit different, in that it is federal workers comp, but my own doctor here doesn't want anymore wc patients. I think they are slow in paying or don't pay for as much.
Carol

[mmglobal]

Cops, nurses, firefighters, teachers... ask about our governator and you'll get an ear full. If you don't like what Arnold is doing in CA, you are in the company of some of the best people our society has to offer....

Mark

[Mariaa]

Uh oh...guess I should have had the surgery already~
I'm so disgusted with the Govenator. Here I thought he would bring about some "good changes" and he's attacking all WC not really looking closely for fraud, but rather trying to shut everything down in one fell swoop by cutting bennies so drastically. As if that would stop people from getting hurt on the job.

And I'm displeased with his stance with ratio staffing w/Nurses.

Also teachers. Of course younger more energetic teachers are going to be a bit more productive, but does that mean do away with tenured positions? And salaries.. the beginner makes as much or more than someone that's been in the system for 20 years?? And what about people with health problems that need the jobs, and are productive but not as productive as a healthy younger person??

What's happening here? I want Rob Reiner/Meathead as Gov~

Back to WC...hmmm, may have to go out of the country for surgery now.. wondering if Dr.Bertagnoli and Zeegers will take WC $$$~

[ans]

Wonder if the same w/go for fusion.

Back to the future: http://tinyurl.com/8rppb

[Carol]

I have been offered fusion by my doc here. In a weak moment, I said yes, go ahead and get Fed WC approval. The date is the original date that I was to have had ADR...May 26. I do not want fusion, but I am wondering if getting approval for the fusion will ultimately help me get approval for the ADR at a later date??? Anyone ever do this. I really do not want to fuse after waiting so long for the ADRs.
Carol

[ans]

What if you had a great fusion doctor who used the latest technologies, e.g. a flexible cage - whatever.

I know this doesn't sound good; sorry.

[cervie queen]

All you WC patients, don't feel so all alone. Many of the Docs aren't taking Medicare patients either.