Disk Replacement at Stenum Hospital, Bremen, Deutschland

[Pattygo]

Hi Mark,
can you please tell me which one you think are the best centers in Europe and in US for disc replacement?

Thank you for your help

Patty

[Maria]

Patty,
You can get to Mark's website at GPN Artificial Disc Replacement ADR if you'd like to contact him.

[cp7959]

I went to Stenum, biggest mistake I ever made.

I would recommend seeking options in the States. You can get better pricing and better at home care. And there are many experienced surgeons who are more than qualified.

[dshobbies]

CP,

True, there are better surgeons worldwide but the cost in the US is still double that (if not more) than other countries. Personally, I recommend Dr. Bertagnoli and Zeegers in Germany - where I paid less than half what it would have cost with Dr. Regan, an excellent surgeon in Beverly Hills.

If insurance companies would come around, I agree, staying here would be better as we now have our own top doctors.

Dale

[cp7959]

I paid 46K for a 2 level ADR at Stenum (C4/5, C5/6).

In April I paid 17K all inclusive for Prestige Cervical Disk at C3/C4 in the States. My Dr. talked to the hospital, Disk rep., to reduce their fee's and also reduced his own fee.

I believe there are many Dr.'s that will work with patients because of insurance coverage issues. I have BCBS, denied coverage for ADR.

[dshobbies]

Maybe things have changed in the last 5 years. As a 'cash' patient, Cedars was willing to charge me 75k for the discs and 3 day hospital stay - including surgical center. The now defunct Doctor's Hospital, eager for patients as they were just opening, wanted more and wouldn't budge. Doctors would not lower their fees either.

My surgery at the time was supposed to by hybrid with a fusion at
s1/L5. I asked if why they wouldn't bill the ins co for that covered surgery or at least give me the BC rate. I'm still running around at their answer.

Glad you had more luck