Re: My gyno and PCP are jerks

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/21/2002 6:22:24 PM Pacific Standard Time,

redsshelti@... writes:

> My PCP laughs me

> out of his office, says no insurance would pay for an MRI for fibroids

> hahahahaahahaa.

That is so untrue. I've had two MRIs for my fibroids, and my insurance paid

for both of them. I have Cigna in Connecticut.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/21/2002 6:22:24 PM Pacific Standard Time,

redsshelti@... writes:

> My PCP laughs me

> out of his office, says no insurance would pay for an MRI for fibroids

> hahahahaahahaa.

That is so untrue. I've had two MRIs for my fibroids, and my insurance paid

for both of them. I have Cigna in Connecticut.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/21/2002 6:22:24 PM Pacific Standard Time,

redsshelti@... writes:

> My PCP laughs me

> out of his office, says no insurance would pay for an MRI for fibroids

> hahahahaahahaa.

That is so untrue. I've had two MRIs for my fibroids, and my insurance paid

for both of them. I have Cigna in Connecticut.

[Guest guest]

I know--I would have preferred an MRI too Deanna

[Guest guest]

I know--I would have preferred an MRI too Deanna

[Guest guest]

Are you not interested in treating the fibroids at this time? I am

aware of a clinical trial at UCLA involving UAE and myomectomy

patients. The UAE portion is completed, but they may still be

looking for myomectomy candidates. As a requirement for the same

study at the Cleveland Clinic, I had to undergo an MRI before

surgery, and will again six months after. The MRI's are paid for by

the study. For this study, your fibroids would have to be

symptomatic, though. You can search the web for other clinical

trials but I think most would require some kind of medical or

surgical treatment.

Therese

> My original message got eaten by AOL, so I'll make this short. My

fibroids

> are asymptomatic but I want to treat then thru diet exercise. I've

read all

> of the books, downloads, ets and this group. My gyno, because I

won't give

> her a H, sends me to my PCP for my reguest for a MRI. From what I

read only

> an MRI can tell you SIZE, PLACEMENT, QTY, and blood source. My PCP

laughs me

> out of his office, says no insurance would pay for an MRI for

fibroids

> hahahahaahahaa. I tell him to stick to flu shots and walk out.

Carla, or any

> of you. Why can't NUFF sign us all up and we will be your test

base for

> research. I'm going to do it anyway. I had an ultrasound, big

deal, I have a

> golf ball and some marbles, but it didn't tell me where there are!

How does

> one pay for this MRI when the insurance thinks archaic? Does

anyone have a

> suggestion? I live in Orange County, been thru 19 Gyno sec

opinions . I'd

> be a guinea pig in a New York minute. Robin

[Guest guest]

Are you not interested in treating the fibroids at this time? I am

aware of a clinical trial at UCLA involving UAE and myomectomy

patients. The UAE portion is completed, but they may still be

looking for myomectomy candidates. As a requirement for the same

study at the Cleveland Clinic, I had to undergo an MRI before

surgery, and will again six months after. The MRI's are paid for by

the study. For this study, your fibroids would have to be

symptomatic, though. You can search the web for other clinical

trials but I think most would require some kind of medical or

surgical treatment.

Therese

> My original message got eaten by AOL, so I'll make this short. My

fibroids

> are asymptomatic but I want to treat then thru diet exercise. I've

read all

> of the books, downloads, ets and this group. My gyno, because I

won't give

> her a H, sends me to my PCP for my reguest for a MRI. From what I

read only

> an MRI can tell you SIZE, PLACEMENT, QTY, and blood source. My PCP

laughs me

> out of his office, says no insurance would pay for an MRI for

fibroids

> hahahahaahahaa. I tell him to stick to flu shots and walk out.

Carla, or any

> of you. Why can't NUFF sign us all up and we will be your test

base for

> research. I'm going to do it anyway. I had an ultrasound, big

deal, I have a

> golf ball and some marbles, but it didn't tell me where there are!

How does

> one pay for this MRI when the insurance thinks archaic? Does

anyone have a

> suggestion? I live in Orange County, been thru 19 Gyno sec

opinions . I'd

> be a guinea pig in a New York minute. Robin

[Guest guest]

Are you not interested in treating the fibroids at this time? I am

aware of a clinical trial at UCLA involving UAE and myomectomy

patients. The UAE portion is completed, but they may still be

looking for myomectomy candidates. As a requirement for the same

study at the Cleveland Clinic, I had to undergo an MRI before

surgery, and will again six months after. The MRI's are paid for by

the study. For this study, your fibroids would have to be

symptomatic, though. You can search the web for other clinical

trials but I think most would require some kind of medical or

surgical treatment.

Therese

> My original message got eaten by AOL, so I'll make this short. My

fibroids

> are asymptomatic but I want to treat then thru diet exercise. I've

read all

> of the books, downloads, ets and this group. My gyno, because I

won't give

> her a H, sends me to my PCP for my reguest for a MRI. From what I

read only

> an MRI can tell you SIZE, PLACEMENT, QTY, and blood source. My PCP

laughs me

> out of his office, says no insurance would pay for an MRI for

fibroids

> hahahahaahahaa. I tell him to stick to flu shots and walk out.

Carla, or any

> of you. Why can't NUFF sign us all up and we will be your test

base for

> research. I'm going to do it anyway. I had an ultrasound, big

deal, I have a

> golf ball and some marbles, but it didn't tell me where there are!

How does

> one pay for this MRI when the insurance thinks archaic? Does

anyone have a

> suggestion? I live in Orange County, been thru 19 Gyno sec

opinions . I'd

> be a guinea pig in a New York minute. Robin

[Guest guest]

They closed the myo part of this study at the end of February.

--S

> I am

> aware of a clinical trial at UCLA involving UAE and

myomectomy

[Guest guest]

They closed the myo part of this study at the end of February.

--S

> I am

> aware of a clinical trial at UCLA involving UAE and

myomectomy

[Guest guest]

Thank you mary. I had to choose an HMO because Boeing refused our choice(s) of

CIGNA PPOs. Maybe I should speak directly to the insurance company?

Robin

[Guest guest]

Deanna, doesn't it seem strange how these Docs want to do surgery and they don't

even know where their target is!Thanks, Robin

[Guest guest]

I have Blue Choice (point of service plan) which requires referrals. They paid

for an MRI (the cost was around $1,200 on the explanation of benefits form I

received). The MRI can rule out several things (such as adenomyosis), other

non-GYN related tumors in the pelvic cavity.

You can get sizes and locations with Ultrasound, however, after reading various

posts here, I decided that I wanted an MRI so that there would be a clear

picture of what was going on. Some of the reasons were that several women had

posted as having US and then, during surgery, they wound up having more fibroids

than the US showed. Others stated that postions of fibroids blocked others on

the US, also not getting a clear picture. Also, the IR I was going to see (and

several others I checked into) stated they insisted on an MRI prior to

scheduling a UAE. Mine also stated that if I had not had one recently (within a

couple of months prior to the UAE) that the test would have to be repeated first

so that the results were current.

You might want to go the " back door approach " to finding a doctor that you can

work with. Try contacting an IR in your area (even if you DON'T want a UAE) and

ask for a recommendation for an OB/GYN that they have worked with. These folks

tend to know the Docs that are experienced with dealing with fibroids and could

recommend someone a little more knoweldgable.

I've noticed that on my referral forms (for Dr visits, tests...), my diagnosis

that they use is not just " fibroids " is it also a diagnosis of " menorrhagia "

(excessive bleeding during period in either number of days or amount of blood).

I don't remember your exact situation, but are you sure you are asymptomatic?

The reason I ask this is because I thought I was asymptomatic until I started

having the excessive bleeding. Then I started checking these fibroids out.

What I discovered is that I had been having symptoms, but most of them came on

gradually and I attributed them to " getting older " .

Things such as, increase in frequency of urination, increases in cramps with the

period, bowel changes (diarrhea farily often), feeling bloated more often (not

just during the period), changes in my period such as shortened # of days

between periods to 24, varied patterns in my period (it was always a 4-5 day

thing of regular bleeding, it changed to about 3 days for a while before the

heavy bleeding started some months later). I was not having these symptoms all

at the same time and, again, they started out very gradually.

Good Luck,

Ann

[Guest guest]

I have Blue Choice (point of service plan) which requires referrals. They paid

for an MRI (the cost was around $1,200 on the explanation of benefits form I

received). The MRI can rule out several things (such as adenomyosis), other

non-GYN related tumors in the pelvic cavity.

You can get sizes and locations with Ultrasound, however, after reading various

posts here, I decided that I wanted an MRI so that there would be a clear

picture of what was going on. Some of the reasons were that several women had

posted as having US and then, during surgery, they wound up having more fibroids

than the US showed. Others stated that postions of fibroids blocked others on

the US, also not getting a clear picture. Also, the IR I was going to see (and

several others I checked into) stated they insisted on an MRI prior to

scheduling a UAE. Mine also stated that if I had not had one recently (within a

couple of months prior to the UAE) that the test would have to be repeated first

so that the results were current.

You might want to go the " back door approach " to finding a doctor that you can

work with. Try contacting an IR in your area (even if you DON'T want a UAE) and

ask for a recommendation for an OB/GYN that they have worked with. These folks

tend to know the Docs that are experienced with dealing with fibroids and could

recommend someone a little more knoweldgable.

I've noticed that on my referral forms (for Dr visits, tests...), my diagnosis

that they use is not just " fibroids " is it also a diagnosis of " menorrhagia "

(excessive bleeding during period in either number of days or amount of blood).

I don't remember your exact situation, but are you sure you are asymptomatic?

The reason I ask this is because I thought I was asymptomatic until I started

having the excessive bleeding. Then I started checking these fibroids out.

What I discovered is that I had been having symptoms, but most of them came on

gradually and I attributed them to " getting older " .

Things such as, increase in frequency of urination, increases in cramps with the

period, bowel changes (diarrhea farily often), feeling bloated more often (not

just during the period), changes in my period such as shortened # of days

between periods to 24, varied patterns in my period (it was always a 4-5 day

thing of regular bleeding, it changed to about 3 days for a while before the

heavy bleeding started some months later). I was not having these symptoms all

at the same time and, again, they started out very gradually.

Good Luck,

Ann

[Guest guest]

I have Blue Choice (point of service plan) which requires referrals. They paid

for an MRI (the cost was around $1,200 on the explanation of benefits form I

received). The MRI can rule out several things (such as adenomyosis), other

non-GYN related tumors in the pelvic cavity.

You can get sizes and locations with Ultrasound, however, after reading various

posts here, I decided that I wanted an MRI so that there would be a clear

picture of what was going on. Some of the reasons were that several women had

posted as having US and then, during surgery, they wound up having more fibroids

than the US showed. Others stated that postions of fibroids blocked others on

the US, also not getting a clear picture. Also, the IR I was going to see (and

several others I checked into) stated they insisted on an MRI prior to

scheduling a UAE. Mine also stated that if I had not had one recently (within a

couple of months prior to the UAE) that the test would have to be repeated first

so that the results were current.

You might want to go the " back door approach " to finding a doctor that you can

work with. Try contacting an IR in your area (even if you DON'T want a UAE) and

ask for a recommendation for an OB/GYN that they have worked with. These folks

tend to know the Docs that are experienced with dealing with fibroids and could

recommend someone a little more knoweldgable.

I've noticed that on my referral forms (for Dr visits, tests...), my diagnosis

that they use is not just " fibroids " is it also a diagnosis of " menorrhagia "

(excessive bleeding during period in either number of days or amount of blood).

I don't remember your exact situation, but are you sure you are asymptomatic?

The reason I ask this is because I thought I was asymptomatic until I started

having the excessive bleeding. Then I started checking these fibroids out.

What I discovered is that I had been having symptoms, but most of them came on

gradually and I attributed them to " getting older " .

Things such as, increase in frequency of urination, increases in cramps with the

period, bowel changes (diarrhea farily often), feeling bloated more often (not

just during the period), changes in my period such as shortened # of days

between periods to 24, varied patterns in my period (it was always a 4-5 day

thing of regular bleeding, it changed to about 3 days for a while before the

heavy bleeding started some months later). I was not having these symptoms all

at the same time and, again, they started out very gradually.

Good Luck,

Ann

[Guest guest]

Thank you Ann. The back door approach is a good idea and I will try that too.

I called my Health Net HMO yesterday directly and Liz said that MRIs are

fairly standard for a lot of things. She said to call Dr. Cho back and asked

him to send in the request anyway. It will be considered by a panel of

doctors that meet every Thurs and I should expect an answer next Fri. If it

gets denied I can appeal and I get to state my case before the panel

personally. Better put on my suit! So I get this call from Dr. Cho as soon as

I stepped in the door, " Robin, I see here you have asked me to submit anyway.

You know I still don't agree, and you said that the insurance company would

probably OK it on appeal? " " Yes, Doc that is what I said. " I know he sits on

this board...I'll keep you posted. Robin

[Guest guest]

Thank you Ann. The back door approach is a good idea and I will try that too.

I called my Health Net HMO yesterday directly and Liz said that MRIs are

fairly standard for a lot of things. She said to call Dr. Cho back and asked

him to send in the request anyway. It will be considered by a panel of

doctors that meet every Thurs and I should expect an answer next Fri. If it

gets denied I can appeal and I get to state my case before the panel

personally. Better put on my suit! So I get this call from Dr. Cho as soon as

I stepped in the door, " Robin, I see here you have asked me to submit anyway.

You know I still don't agree, and you said that the insurance company would

probably OK it on appeal? " " Yes, Doc that is what I said. " I know he sits on

this board...I'll keep you posted. Robin

[Guest guest]

Thank you Ann. The back door approach is a good idea and I will try that too.

I called my Health Net HMO yesterday directly and Liz said that MRIs are

fairly standard for a lot of things. She said to call Dr. Cho back and asked

him to send in the request anyway. It will be considered by a panel of

doctors that meet every Thurs and I should expect an answer next Fri. If it

gets denied I can appeal and I get to state my case before the panel

personally. Better put on my suit! So I get this call from Dr. Cho as soon as

I stepped in the door, " Robin, I see here you have asked me to submit anyway.

You know I still don't agree, and you said that the insurance company would

probably OK it on appeal? " " Yes, Doc that is what I said. " I know he sits on

this board...I'll keep you posted. Robin

[Guest guest]

Good luck with your quest. It is a shame that we have to do these things to

get proper medical care, but this is NOT limited to fibroid specific issues.

Someone asked earlier what a good thing is about fibroids. I consider the

knowledge I've gained about navigating the insurance approval process a plus.

I would have hated trying to do this if I was in my 70's, or if I was having

a life threatening illness and having to try to figure this out.

Something to think about. If the panel does not " approve " your MRI and you

have to appeal the decision yourself, bring some evidence with you. Consider

doing the " back door approach " and getting a hold of a sympathetic Doc first.

That Doc might even be willing to attend the appeal (or at least provide a

written opinion to take with you). I've found that Docs respond better to

other Docs, than they do people outside their profession. Or you could even

call and IR in the area, tell them your plight and ask them to point you to

any published literature that would help " inform " the panel.

Ann

[Guest guest]

Good luck with your quest. It is a shame that we have to do these things to

get proper medical care, but this is NOT limited to fibroid specific issues.

Someone asked earlier what a good thing is about fibroids. I consider the

knowledge I've gained about navigating the insurance approval process a plus.

I would have hated trying to do this if I was in my 70's, or if I was having

a life threatening illness and having to try to figure this out.

Something to think about. If the panel does not " approve " your MRI and you

have to appeal the decision yourself, bring some evidence with you. Consider

doing the " back door approach " and getting a hold of a sympathetic Doc first.

That Doc might even be willing to attend the appeal (or at least provide a

written opinion to take with you). I've found that Docs respond better to

other Docs, than they do people outside their profession. Or you could even

call and IR in the area, tell them your plight and ask them to point you to

any published literature that would help " inform " the panel.

Ann

[Guest guest]

Thank you Ann, and I agree. However the last time I called the IR. department

of Fountain Valley Hospital and asked to speak to someone in R, that I had a

question about a procedure, I got, " You need your doctor to ask that

question.' " I said, " You don't understand, I am asking you to answer a

question, like, what imaging test is it that shows blood, tissue, and

formations? Is it a.b.c. or d.? " " I'm sorry you'll have to have your doctor

answer that question. " OK, duh, I look it up on the Internet. So much for the

human interaction bit. But Ann I will speak to the heads of these departments

soon as the appeal approaches. Good suggestion as always, Robin

[Guest guest]

Thank you Ann, and I agree. However the last time I called the IR. department

of Fountain Valley Hospital and asked to speak to someone in R, that I had a

question about a procedure, I got, " You need your doctor to ask that

question.' " I said, " You don't understand, I am asking you to answer a

question, like, what imaging test is it that shows blood, tissue, and

formations? Is it a.b.c. or d.? " " I'm sorry you'll have to have your doctor

answer that question. " OK, duh, I look it up on the Internet. So much for the

human interaction bit. But Ann I will speak to the heads of these departments

soon as the appeal approaches. Good suggestion as always, Robin

[Guest guest]

Thank you Ann, and I agree. However the last time I called the IR. department

of Fountain Valley Hospital and asked to speak to someone in R, that I had a

question about a procedure, I got, " You need your doctor to ask that

question.' " I said, " You don't understand, I am asking you to answer a

question, like, what imaging test is it that shows blood, tissue, and

formations? Is it a.b.c. or d.? " " I'm sorry you'll have to have your doctor

answer that question. " OK, duh, I look it up on the Internet. So much for the

human interaction bit. But Ann I will speak to the heads of these departments

soon as the appeal approaches. Good suggestion as always, Robin

[Guest guest]

Robin, one last suggestion, I went to the SCVIR web site and found an e-mail

address for the IR. That way I was able to e-mail him directly (this was

even before I had a referral to see him). This allows you to communicate

directly with the IR and can skip the " front desk " people in the department.

If you can't find the person on the SCVIR web site, sometimes you can go to

the specific hospital's web site and e-mail people from there.

Ann

[Guest guest]

Robin, one last suggestion, I went to the SCVIR web site and found an e-mail

address for the IR. That way I was able to e-mail him directly (this was

even before I had a referral to see him). This allows you to communicate

directly with the IR and can skip the " front desk " people in the department.

If you can't find the person on the SCVIR web site, sometimes you can go to

the specific hospital's web site and e-mail people from there.

Ann