Re: CHELLE, thankyou dear

[Guest guest]

Thank you Chelle, you are the greatest.

I have several things I can do to try to get the spinal cord

stimulator in spite of my insurance turning it down 3 (three!!) times.

I could not stand to even think about the topic for a while. Today I

finally started taking some steps again.

1. I called the UNC Anesthesia Research department. I got Dr.

Zolnoun's nurse to get me a referral to them. They do research with

SCS. If I could get into a research trial I would not need insurance.

Unfortunately they said they could not promise to call me back during

the next six months!!!

2. I found out that the cost of the trial stimulator it is $11,000. I

have that much in savings. I can go ahead and take the money out of my

savings and pay for the trial and see if the darn thing is going to

even work.

3. I can appeal the insurance decision to the NC Dept of Insurance.

That is unlikely to succeed but I can at least try it. I don't know

about gathering all the paperwork again but I can at least send in the

appeal form.

4. I can look into some new insurance. NC has a new 80/20 plan. (my

current insurance is HMO) This plan accepts you as long as you don't

have a break in your coverage. You can have pre-existing conditions.

It is only $700 per month. I can call them and see if I can get the

procedure covered.

5. I can speak with a doctor who has done SCS for VV sufferers and see

what he/she phrased the diagnosis on the authorization request! That

is why i want to talk to Dr. Conway or Dr. Quesado.

I will probably try options 4 and 5 tomorrow, or at least leave

voicemail. Courage!

Love,

>

> , I'll send it on to her.  If her address didn't come through

it's millburytimes @ verizon . net

>

> Take Care,

> Chelle

>