Not sure but perhaps he is mis-understanding your timeline. Some doctors won't take you within a certain "time frame" of a previous surgery.

For example, my microdiscectomy, I was considered under care for 90-days post op which meant another doctor would not treat me or take me on as a new patient. However, once I got outside of that 90-day period it was ok.

I think you mean MD as in microdiscectomy.
I would visit your current surgeon from 2009 and get an opinnion. Then I would have him send you for a 2nd opinion and ask this doctor for a 2nd opinion.

I would also call them back and get more information. Thank them for reviewing your case and ask them if he would see you as a 2nd opinion after you review finding with your existing surgeon?

In my situation (not unlike you), I opted "out-of-network" on 1st MicroD. So when my 90-days were up, I had the MRI which showed rehernation, got a consult from my surgeon who told me to go get a 2nd opinion to confirm his recommendation.

At that time I used the I can't afford my out-of-network doctor and need to switch.

Is the MD a microdiscectomy?

If all else fails, I would contact your insurance company and ask why an in-network doctor is turning you away and see if they can help.

Ok, so here's my recommendation.
Go see your original doctor. Get his prognosis. Yes you'll have dual co-pay or have to pay more toward your deductable. But it's worth it. Then contact this desired surgeon for a 2nd opinion.

Since you will want 2 opinions anyhow, why not speak to your existing surgeon and then contact this one to say I want a 2nd opinion (not necessarily treatment but another opinion).

Another idea is to leverage your PCP to get you a referral over to this surgeon.

Good luck!

ps. I edited this b/c it was wordy (I'm exhausted as I had an night of insomnia and literally slept 1 hour this morning). Please feel free to PM and I can walk you through how I handled it. I blew out L5-S1 and reherniated within 3 months. I've had 2 surgeries in 6 months so completely understand your concern about being continuously cut open.

Did you explain that you thought you needed a fusion and that this doctor had been your first choice originally but back then you had an insurance problem and couldn't see him?

If that doesn't work, I would suggest finding a fellowship-trained orthopedic spinal surgeon.

Neurosurgeons can be more persnickety about operating on someone else's work. Some tend to be more ambivalent about doing revision work etc. That would be my suggestion if you can't convince the surgeon you want....

There may be more reason behind it than what you were told. I recently had a fusion denied and I am going to be posting about it in a bit. I get the feeling that recently insurance companies are really cracking down on authorizing fusions unless the patient meets fairly narrow criteria. I'll send you a link after I write about my experience in case you are interested.

Gwennie

I had similar experience with a Neurosurgeon, once I had my lumbar lmainectomy, I ended up in is office with reherniation and he wanted nothing to do with me and sent me to an Orthopaedic Surgeon(huge money making practice) They stopped taking my insurance and I wasn't going out of network due to cost so I found my current fellowship trained spinal reconstrustion specialist, I GOT lucky and I love him. So, if a certain Dr doesn't want to see you, it may be a blessing in disguise.

Just my 2 cents and best of luck,

Traci