Posted on: Wed, 07/23/2008 - 07:45
lost bc/bs ins. appeal-I don't know what to do
Hi , My name is Lynn, this is my first time ever doing this. I need a two-level ADR at L4-L5 & L5-S1. I have annular tears in the discs, along with DDD, and the discs are all protruding.
This has been going on over four yrs now. I am at the end of my rope. I cannot believe all the pain you can be in, even being on pain meds.
I lost my appeals with the ins. co. I dont know where to go from here. I have Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield. What ins. covers this? 

I also have Anthem BC/BS. You may wanna check the Insurance section of the forum. Maybe they still consider the ADR thing to be experimental or something? Good luck--Mazy
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Cervical DDD,cervical stenosis, cervical anterolisthesis, osteopenia, kyphosis
I have the same insurance... thought it was the best around. Can you appeal again? What about emergency government benefits?
Hope this all works out for you...
Amanda
My name is Amanda. I am 27 years old, married, and mother to a wonderful 2yr old boy =)
Fractured vertebrae 1989, lumbar area
Disc desiccation and intervertebral disc space narrowing at L4-L5 and L5-S1
L3-L4 mild bilateral facet hpertrophic degenerative change. Subchondral cysts adjacent to the left facet joint
Diffuse disc bulge at L4-L5 with an annular tear and displacement of the left L5 nerve root.
Central disc herniation L5-S1 with impingement upon both exiting S1 nerve roots.
Diagnosed with arthritis August 12, 2008
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We have a section devoted to Insurance items. Please take a look there, there might be more information available. I have found over the years that you did not to 'talk' with the insurance companies several times. I have treatments tnat my current Insurance carrier has rejected. This is being gone on for almost two years now. I keep writing lettings, get doctor memos to back up , look for articles in papers, magazines, etc to back up my claim.... They still say no. I am on about my 3rd time... DONT Give UP!
Ron DiLauro ....... New Milford,CT

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We changed to BC/BS for my recent surgery because hubby's insurance, which we had been covered under for several years and covered first back surgery, no longer had my NS in thier network. Thank goodness hubby works for a big company with good group coverage with 3 different insurance options. We now pay more out of pocket expense, but my NS was covered, so it was worth the change to me.
I have heard that sometimes surgeries get denied the first and sometimes second time, but then are approved. So keep trying for approval, or if it's possible, look into changng insurances, if you are lucky enough to be in a big group coverage siuation like I was.
Good luck!
Laminectomy 2003 at L6-S1 (Six lumbar vertebrea) Herniated disc at L5-6 in 2006. Worsening symptoms last few months with surgery scheduled July 2008. (Update) July 9, had another laminectomy at L5-6. Getting better slowly.
Lynn, I am so sorry to hear about you losing the insurance appeal. I hope you would try the appeal again. I have read that it sometimes takes up to 5 appeals before it will be approved. Darn insurance companies--most of them only care about the bottom line, which is the "almight dollar". Maybe your Dr would change your pain meds to something stronger to help you out until you can get the surgery done. I am sorry you are in so much pain. Hang in there.
There was a post on the old SH that somebody had the same insurance as you and finally got it (ADR) approved. If I can remember who it was, I will let you know.
DDD, Facet Arthropathy, DJD, Sleep Apnea
PT, Epidurals, Facet Blocks,Medial Branch Block, Rhizotomy,Discogram,Annular Tare L3/L4 Endoscopic Microdiscectomy,Laser Surgery
Methadone, Percocet, Soma, Cymbalta
hi and welcome.
i also have anthem they have been great.
personally i am going to think its the ADR also.
alot of insurance companies have a issue with this.
have you discussed with your dr using your own bone as a graft???
thats what my surgeries were with.
they were approved the day the surgical scheduler called them.
keep up checking this out.
don't give up hope!!!
let us know
terri
2 c-sections,R kidney removal, cervical fusion, r. lumbar hernia repair, appendix out, L5/S1 fusion 9/2007, proximal row carpectomy (3 bones removed out of wrist)1 epidural injection, 1 SI joint injection, fibromyalgia, osteo-arthritis, IBS, chronic kidney stones, T1-T2 large herniation with severe thecal sac compression. mild cord compression. Upcoming Surgery Sept 17 2008 PLIF L4-S1 for non-fusion of lumbar L5-S1. Gotta keep going!!
MEDS: tylenol 3, lortab,valium, soma.
Lynn,
Seems to me there have been a few posts on here that say insurance will not cover 2 level ADRs in the US. You might want to do a search. I also vaguely remember seeing that it took some preserverence to get authorization for one level ADR as well. Try looking in the insurance section. Sorry I'm not more help.
Teri
DDD, cervical spondylosis, radiculopathy, lumbar disc protrusion and lumbar spinal stenosis at L4-5, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, double crush syndrome.
MRI's, EMG, NCV, X-rays.
Physical Therapy, anti-inflammatories, heat, traction, lots of walking, weight loss.
http://www.anthem.com/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw_a053354.htm
Currently, 3 intervertebral devices have FDA approval. The Charité™ and PRODISC-L® devices are used for lumbar disc replacement. The PRESTIGE® device is used for cervical disc replacement.
Artificial intervertebral discs such as the BRYAN® (cervical), Maverick™ and FlexiCore™ (lumbar) have been developed. At this time, these devices have not received FDA approval.
Non-specific LBP 19 yrs, constant pain for last 7+, no end in sight.