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The Big File All issues not easily categorized in the above forums are here. Comments on general health, diet, "getting comfortable," and more are here.


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  #1  
Old 09-08-2005, 07:48 PM
cervie queen cervie  queen is offline
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I've waited five years for the technology so that I wouldn't have to have fusion on three levels. Now that my lumbar is too far gone for ADR I had scheduled fusion at one level with Dynesis on two adjacent levels. I scheduled that over three months ago and the surgery was to be Sept. 22. Today I got the call that Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles declined to accept me as a patient because I was a medicare Patient. Medicare won't pay for the BMP for the fusion and they don't pay enough for hospital stay. So I've cancelled.
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  #2  
Old 09-08-2005, 08:48 PM
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Harrison Harrison is offline
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Cervie, I am so sorry! How absurd and how ANGRY you must be!

So many people have tried to change the direction(s) some insurance companies are taking. Does your unfortunate plight relate to Amy's thread about CMS?!

Let us know how we can help.
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  #3  
Old 09-08-2005, 09:24 PM
cervie queen cervie  queen is offline
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Amy's thread about CMS deals with whether or not Medicare will pay for the ARtificial disk. My surgery was fusion and Dynesis and Dynsis is considered fusion, so Medicare will pay for it. It was the Hospital that is refusing to see a Medicare patient. We work our whole lives to qualify for retirement and Medicare. But if the hospitals and Doctors won't accept Medicare it is of little use. I have a secondary insurance company so I'll try to contact them, but I doubt if they will pick up the vast difference.
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  #4  
Old 09-08-2005, 11:49 PM
Justin Justin is offline
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Cervie,

Sorry to hear the news. I wish you the best with your secondary insurance. I hope your husband is feeling better too.

Justin
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  #5  
Old 09-08-2005, 11:59 PM
sahuaro sahuaro is offline
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Very upsetting news indeed--you've been through so much already. Does your surgeon work at any other hospital(s)?
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Old 09-09-2005, 12:04 AM
Fortitudine Fortitudine is offline
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Jeez, Hilary, what a bummer! After all your research and agonizing, to be dumped by the hospital. The stress! I hope you had a stiff shot of your favorite beverage.

We are so lucky in Canada - it's a lot simpler - you either takes what public health care offers you, or you cashes in your retirement plan and goes elsewhere!
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  #7  
Old 09-09-2005, 02:30 AM
djscal djscal is offline
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Cervie,

How about trying for the Century City Doctors hospital? Regan is going to be doing surgery there very shortly.

Dan
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  #8  
Old 09-09-2005, 03:00 PM
Dale S Dale S is offline
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Hilary,

How terribly disappointing although my feelings are closer to fury. I just read in this mornings paper that our brains are continuing to evolve and grow is size. It makes you wonder if those who decide on our health care aren't throw-backs to the neanderthal.

The Doctor's Hospital is now open but I don't know their policy on Medicare. I do know that they don't accept many insurances, including Blue Cross, because they don't pay enough. As a cash patient Cedars wanted $78,000 but the Doctor's Hospital wanted $90,000. I'm going to Germany!

Hilary, you don't deserve this and I'm very sorry. Good luck in trying a different direction.
Dale
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  #9  
Old 09-09-2005, 05:14 PM
Carmont Carmont is offline
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I recently heard from a friend and a patient of Dr. Regan's that he does not accept insurance of any kind. Does anyone know this to be true or not? Thanks, Carmont
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  #10  
Old 09-09-2005, 05:39 PM
letteski letteski is offline
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Cerve,

This is absolutely appalling and I can�t believe a hospital with such a reputation would not take Medicare. Have you spoken to Dr Bray? He has so many patients, he must of run across this before.

You do will certainly deserve gold and diamond hardware after this.

Hang in there. I will be praying for you. Keep us posted.
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