So I scheduled my surgery for March 17, 2009 and today i get a call from the hospital saying that since the ADR isn't covered by surgery I have to put a deposit of $18,000.00 down or I can't have surgery.. How is this fair I am 38 years old and at this rate living in continues pain and my numb leg I will be crippled... The doctor wants to do a L/5 S1 fusion and a L4-5 ADR... I already had to borrow money to pay my surgeon.. How can they put a price tag on my life.. Please help..
Feb. 2008, April 2008, July 2008, and October 2008 had laminectomy L/5 S/1 all the dates above.. Now I have a different surgeon..
AAnonymousUser
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It really sucks that a price can be put on our lives. It is exactly what it is though. I don't know what to tell you because I have not had positive experiences but I really hope you get something done. What kind of insurance do you have?
I wonder though...who the H### can come up with that kind of money??? Give me a break!
Medicaid never pays enough to cover the cost of anything, from xrays, surgeries, general care even. They barely cover the cost of the materials much less labor.
Is there any other surgeries you could have that would give similar results if you absolutely can not come up with $18,000?
Do you have any family, friends that could either loan it to you or cosign for a loan? Anything you can take a loan out against?
Living in back pain is horrible I know, If I would not had the surgery I had I would be truely disabled right now.
Have you talked to the hospital and explained your situation fully? Will they not do a payment plan of any sort?
I had to pay my surgeon $1200 beforehand, they insisted but if I had not had it I couldof talked to the surgeon and Im sure we couldof arranged something.
Please give more details must be a solution somewhere forya.
You might consider it a mixed blessing. My fusion surgery has so far left me WORSE, and I'm thinking I was better off not having it.
My hospital just dropped them as their insurer and went private, and their hoping other major corporations/businesses follow suit as BCBS is a huge monolopy in MANY areas of the US.
On another note ADR is def elective at best, and not covered by a lot of insurance plans as of this time.
Also realize back surgery is an iffy topic for all.
I had a PLIF L2-L5 (Fusion) with disectomy and lamenectomy L4-L5 as well, had a spacer placed titanium I believe.
I have no pre surgery pains, and no pain at all as of 1 month post op. Doing therapy and doing great.
It works for some and doesnt for others. Its a chance. take it or leave it, this is how I looked at it as I basically went to my spine surgeon and was told surgery was my fix, said ok 2 weeks later had the surgery.
I thought to myself, can I live in my current condition? And I knew instantly no.