Guest guest Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Vicki, I have no experience with going at it with an insurance company for an out of network doc, but members have done it sucessfully, hopefully they will chime in. As to doc's in San Francisco, the doc's at UCSF, and their spine center are go to's on the WEST coast. I had my Harrington Rod placed there back in 1973. Dr. Sigurd Berven 415-353-2739 Dr. Serena Hu 866-817-7463 Dr. Hu has many patients in our group, and a member here just had surgery and works in the Spine center there, and she swears by Dr. Berven. A good jumping off point. Let us know what city back east you have relatives by, and we will send you opinion doc's out their too. Getting info together for a insurance fight might be good, go to the FILES section on the site, read, and print off information. Be armed with information. Just any local ortho isn't up to the task. Also look at the Scoliosis Research Society website, www.srs.org , and there is a doc locator there by city and state, look for aging spine in their description. Hawaii may have someone, but I'd ask pointed questions about their experience with Flatback and revision surgery, if they hum and haw around, move on. Probably will have to go to the mainland. Welcome to the group and posting, and we look forward to hearing more from you. Colorado Springs On Tue, Feb 1, 2011 at 2:52 PM, vschne <vschne@...> wrote: I am brand new to this site; I am so happy to have found it. I have a Harrington Rod in which was placed in 1978 to L4 and now have flat back...am scared (terrified?) of surgery, like everyone else!! But despite yoga and exercise the pain with walking is getting pretty severe. I live in Hawaii, and am trying to find which surgeons out there have the most success with the surgery--I don't think that any are in Hawaii. Ideally would like to go to either San Francisco or the east coast, since I have family there. I have to advocate for my insurance to cover the cost of going out of state. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Vicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Hi Vicky... I'm a little biased, but I don't think you can do any better than Drs. Sig Berven or Serena Hu at UCSF. I happen to work there, but I'm also a patient, having just had surgery on 1/20/11. Most of the surgeries performed by the referenced doctors is revision work referred by other doctors. Regards, > > I am brand new to this site; I am so happy to have found it. I have a Harrington Rod in which was placed in 1978 to L4 and now have flat back...am scared (terrified?) of surgery, like everyone else!! But despite yoga and exercise the pain with walking is getting pretty severe. > > I live in Hawaii, and am trying to find which surgeons out there have the most success with the surgery--I don't think that any are in Hawaii. Ideally would like to go to either San Francisco or the east coast, since I have family there. I have to advocate for my insurance to cover the cost of going out of state. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. > Vicky > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2011 Report Share Posted February 2, 2011 Many thanks --will keep you posted. What a comfort to have found this group; I have felt very alone for the last 2 years! Vicky Re: [ ] Referral help please! Vicki, I have no experience with going at it with an insurance company for an out of network doc, but members have done it sucessfully, hopefully they will chime in. As to doc's in San Francisco, the doc's at UCSF, and their spine center are go to's on the WEST coast. I had my Harrington Rod placed there back in 1973. Dr. Sigurd Berven 415-353-2739 Dr. Serena Hu 866-817-7463 Dr. Hu has many patients in our group, and a member here just had surgery and works in the Spine center there, and she swears by Dr. Berven. A good jumping off point. Let us know what city back east you have relatives by, and we will send you opinion doc's out their too. Getting info together for a insurance fight might be good, go to the FILES section on the site, read, and print off information. Be armed with information. Just any local ortho isn't up to the task. Also look at the Scoliosis Research Society website, www.srs.org , and there is a doc locator there by city and state, look for aging spine in their description. Hawaii may have someone, but I'd ask pointed questions about their experience with Flatback and revision surgery, if they hum and haw around, move on. Probably will have to go to the mainland. Welcome to the group and posting, and we look forward to hearing more from you. Colorado Springs On Tue, Feb 1, 2011 at 2:52 PM, vschne <vschne@...> wrote: I am brand new to this site; I am so happy to have found it. I have a Harrington Rod in which was placed in 1978 to L4 and now have flat back...am scared (terrified?) of surgery, like everyone else!! But despite yoga and exercise the pain with walking is getting pretty severe. I live in Hawaii, and am trying to find which surgeons out there have the most success with the surgery--I don't think that any are in Hawaii. Ideally would like to go to either San Francisco or the east coast, since I have family there. I have to advocate for my insurance to cover the cost of going out of state. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Vicky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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