No-no's on fusion!

[annapurna]

Poncho,

I could not agree with you more!!! It's great that someone studying the business world agrees with what I've always felt to be true. I no longer trust my insurance company to do ANYTHING in my best interest. I pay around $1000 per year for my company-sponsored HMO and feel happy when they pay for anything at all. Since it's an HMO, they won't pay for ANY medical care I receive outside of the state of Utah - period. Additionally, they have gotten more and more reluctant to pay for my pain management, diagnostic imaging, and physical therapy.

At the same time, I understand their need to make a profit. They do have responsibilities to their share-holders. On the flip side, we as patients need to have some recourse when an insurance company prevents us from getting the "surgery we need" as Mark put it.

While few of us have the financial wherewithal to simply self-fund all of our spine care needs, there are ways we can excercise some degree of independence from the insurance companies:

1) Take charge of your back and your life and assess how much of your own money you're willing to spend on your spine. As long as we refuse to even consider paying for things on our own, we are totally at the mercy of the insurance companies.

2) Vote for state and federal legislators who support the rights of medical practitioners to give substantial cash discounts (like 50% or more) to uninsured or underinsured patients.

3) Take FULL advantage of tax-deferred medical savings plans available to both employees and the self-employed or retired. The IRS has several new types available to meet many different health-care needs.

4) Save money in the currency you will need. Since the US dollar seems to be on a never-ending slide, it may make sense to save money in Euros if you know you are likely to be going to Europe for surgery in the future. This approach may also result in lower currency exchange fees when you actually pay.

5) Read and understand EVERYTHING in your country's tax code the pertains to medical tax deductions. You would be amazed at the number of things that are deductible including travel, lodging, braces, computerized medical records transcription, and some patient advocacy services. It all adds up!

6) If travel will be necessary, start saving up airline miles to reduce flight costs. This can make a big difference if overseas business-class travel is required.

These are the little strategies that have worked for me - I'm sure that there are more. Best to all.

Laura

[dshobbies]

It's told that good ideas are born out of necessecity... and I have a good idea. There is too much wrong with our country today, medical care being only one concern, but most, if not all, have a common link. We live in this great free country that has become anything but of, by and for the people. Power and money are the only true influences of our politicians. Deep pockets hire lobbiests to push their agendas, tempting even the lowest level public servants to serve themselves.

HMOs and others wield control through campaign contributions as well as other 'legal' political stradegy maneuvering. My question is, if our government is supposed to represent people. why are businesses allowed to compete against us? My idea is to pass legislation (fat chance) to completely elliminate all political intervention by any and all businesses, effectively giving us back our government. Though some organizations represent groups that individually cannot effect change, en mass gives them the power to compete and definitions would need to be well defined. But as long as HMO's are allowed to dictate medical care and while I'm on the subject, oil companies are allowed to price gouge because the polititions are being effectively bought off through legal bribary, we the people are most definitely not being represented.

So while we're battling insurance companies, perhaps our energies should also be directed at getting businesses out of our government's pocket.

Thanks for letting me vent and I'll get off my soap box now!

[Tim]

Hi Dale and Mark
Sorry to steer you all away from money and politics but returning to the original post by Dale what exactly are the reported problems with fusion following previous spine surgery.. Are we talking increased risk of pseudarthrosis, nerve damage etc. - if so do you have any details on the figures?
many thanks
Tim

[dshobbies]

Sorry Tim,

I get very caught up... the article I read in the paper simply expressed both no relief from original symptoms as well as causing others. I think Mark is your man on this one.

Dale

[Tim]

Thanks Dale
As someone whose had 2 previous spinal surgeries including ADR and am still considering fusion as a solution to continuing problems this is relevant to me..
Al the best
Tim

[dshobbies]

Tim,
I am so sorry you've received no relief from your pain even after your adr, and Dr. Zeegers is the best. Has he shed any light as to why this procedure failed to relieve your symptoms? I'm sure you've explored all your alternatives but the reason I'm asking is for others who might find themselves in a similar situation.

I wish you all the best, Dale

[Tim]

Hi Dale
sorry I have'nt replied for a while. My story has been well publicised on various other forums but if it's of any help to others it can be found here:
http://adrsupport.org/eve/forums/a/t...1/m/5281042181
(fifth topic down - spineally challenged) - I hope it's OK to post external links, if not apologies to Mark..
All the best
Tim