RE: ortho vent

[Guest guest]

I love that!

-Heidi

From: NIck Guthe <nickgutheyahoo (DOT) com>Subject: [infantile_scoliosi s] ortho ventTo: infantile_scoliosis @yahoogroups. comDate: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 4:12 PM

Hi everyone,

We got a phone call this morning from a major hospital here in L.A. that we owe a bill for an ortho, "second opinion" doc visit- one 10 minute visit- for 550 dollars. This ortho saw Bex only once for around 10 minutes, there were no x-rays taken, he didn't even remove his clothes for an exam.

He also suggested an unneeded 3rd MRI, when we had 2 ones done already, and almost caused us not to take the cancellation slot we got from Shriners in SLC- which would have been a vital mistake for our child's health- as his curve progressed from 34 to 61 degrees in 6 weeks. We would have lost more weeks of precious time, as his condition worsened, had we taken this highly respected ortho's advice.

We wouldn't have gotten Bex into the first cast as soon as we did if we took this doc's suggestion of the 3rd MRI, which I'm pretty convinced he only suggested because he thought we had the time (the cancellation slot had not opened yet at SLC), and he personally asked us about our insurance in the room, so he knew we could cover it.

We will be looking into what we really should pay through our insurance co., but wanted to make the point to always check if a doc you are seeing is "in network", if you're using your insurance. We just asked if his office took Blue Cross, and they said yes. That means yes, they'll take whatever 100+ dollars Blue Cross will pay, and then we are responsible for the rest.

Had we gone to him for multiple visits, we would've been quite surprised to get bills for thousands of dollars, so do ask what their basic office fee is, if it's not a Shriners type hospital! We are so grateful to be at Shriners.

Also, just a friendly reminder that just because a doc is highly respected, does not mean his or her opinion is right for your child. It kind of steams us to pay for a wrong and even dangerous opinion.

And on that note, is it not a crime that some (most) orthos suggest only years of bracing and surgeries for our kids, when casting can be an early cure? They are not cars, they are HUMAN BEINGS! It seems like they're willfully milking the insurance cos and families for years of payments- when many children could be cured by pre-school, with non-surgical EDF casting. Unless there is no better alternative to surgery, it's a crime and it's morally wrong.

Best to all-

Heidi (Bexon's Mom, 23 months old, in 2nd cast from SLC)

My biggest point here

[Guest guest]

Ours dedicated one sentence to casting. He said, " Well, there's also serial casting, but I think a night time brace is the best option." Well, yeah. IF it meant it would improve the curve. Heck, we would be LUCKY if it even held it! (Current doc said he didn't think it would have.) He had just seen another patient a month earlier who told him they were going to do the casting. They are currently at 2 degrees and in a brace now. CURED! Shameful for sure. And sad.

From: NIck Guthe <nickgutheyahoo (DOT) com>Subject: [infantile_scoliosi s] ortho ventTo: infantile_scoliosis @yahoogroups. comDate: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 4:12 PM

Hi everyone,

We got a phone call this morning from a major hospital here in L.A. that we owe a bill for an ortho, "second opinion" doc visit- one 10 minute visit- for 550 dollars. This ortho saw Bex only once for around 10 minutes, there were no x-rays taken, he didn't even remove his clothes for an exam.

He also suggested an unneeded 3rd MRI, when we had 2 ones done already, and almost caused us not to take the cancellation slot we got from Shriners in SLC- which would have been a vital mistake for our child's health- as his curve progressed from 34 to 61 degrees in 6 weeks. We would have lost more weeks of precious time, as his condition worsened, had we taken this highly respected ortho's advice.

We wouldn't have gotten Bex into the first cast as soon as we did if we took this doc's suggestion of the 3rd MRI, which I'm pretty convinced he only suggested because he thought we had the time (the cancellation slot had not opened yet at SLC), and he personally asked us about our insurance in the room, so he knew we could cover it.

We will be looking into what we really should pay through our insurance co., but wanted to make the point to always check if a doc you are seeing is "in network", if you're using your insurance. We just asked if his office took Blue Cross, and they said yes. That means yes, they'll take whatever 100+ dollars Blue Cross will pay, and then we are responsible for the rest.

Had we gone to him for multiple visits, we would've been quite surprised to get bills for thousands of dollars, so do ask what their basic office fee is, if it's not a Shriners type hospital! We are so grateful to be at Shriners.

Also, just a friendly reminder that just because a doc is highly respected, does not mean his or her opinion is right for your child. It kind of steams us to pay for a wrong and even dangerous opinion.

And on that note, is it not a crime that some (most) orthos suggest only years of bracing and surgeries for our kids, when casting can be an early cure? They are not cars, they are HUMAN BEINGS! It seems like they're willfully milking the insurance cos and families for years of payments- when many children could be cured by pre-school, with non-surgical EDF casting. Unless there is no better alternative to surgery, it's a crime and it's morally wrong.

Best to all-

Heidi (Bexon's Mom, 23 months old, in 2nd cast from SLC)

My biggest point here

[Guest guest]

If the surgeon knows about the

effectiveness of ET w/ Mehtas modified EDF and isn’t doing everything in

his/her power to offer it correctly in their hospital, then YES it’s a crime

and morally wrong.

I think most surgeons are still stuck in

believing that all casting is the same. They really do believe that

casting will only hold a curve (not correct it) and just cant imagine applying

casts to their infant patients for the next 10 years. That’s why

referring to this treatment modality as “Mehtas Early Treatment Method w/

EDF casting,” is so important. If new parents refer to ET as “casting,”

that exactly what they’ll be offered….. the wait and watch

approach, followed by an old fashioned Risser cast. An unacceptable

approach to progressive infantile scoliosis. Mehtas Earky Treatment

Method is the GOLD STANDARD of treatment for infants/children with progressive

infantile scoliosis. Wait and watch, followed by ineffective bracing, old

fashioned casting as a last ditch effort at maintenance, then hardware and repeated

surgeries til’ skeletal maturity is not GOLD STANDARD, its last resort.

Heres my vent to add to the mix!

HRH

From: infantile_scoliosis [mailto:infantile_scoliosis ] On Behalf Of NIck Guthe

Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 2:13

PM

To: infantile_scoliosis

Subject:

ortho vent

Hi everyone,

We got a phone call this morning from a major

hospital here in L.A. that we owe a bill for an ortho, " second

opinion " doc visit- one 10 minute visit- for 550 dollars. This

ortho saw Bex only once for around 10 minutes, there were no x-rays

taken, he didn't even remove his clothes for an exam.

He also suggested an unneeded 3rd MRI, when we

had 2 ones done already, and almost caused us not to take the cancellation

slot we got from Shriners in SLC- which would have been a vital

mistake for our child's health- as his curve progressed from 34 to 61

degrees in 6 weeks. We would have lost more weeks of precious time, as

his condition worsened, had we taken this highly respected ortho's advice.

We wouldn't have gotten Bex into the first

cast as soon as we did if we took this doc's suggestion

of the 3rd MRI, which I'm pretty convinced he only suggested

because he thought we had the time (the cancellation slot had not opened yet

at SLC), and he personally asked us about our insurance in the room, so

he knew we could cover it.

We will be looking into what we really should pay

through our insurance co., but wanted to make the point to always check if a

doc you are seeing is " in network " , if you're using your insurance.

We just asked if his office took Blue Cross, and they said

yes. That means yes, they'll take whatever 100+ dollars Blue Cross will

pay, and then we are responsible for the rest.

Had we gone to him for multiple visits, we would've

been quite surprised to get bills for thousands of dollars, so do ask what

their basic office fee is, if it's not a Shriners type

hospital! We are so grateful to be at Shriners.

Also, just a friendly reminder that just because a

doc is highly respected, does not mean his or her opinion is right for your

child. It kind of steams us to pay for a wrong and even dangerous opinion.

And on that note, is it not a crime that some (most)

orthos suggest only years of bracing and surgeries for our kids, when casting

can be an early cure? They are not cars, they are HUMAN BEINGS! It seems

like they're willfully milking the insurance cos and families for years of

payments- when many children could be cured by pre-school, with

non-surgical EDF casting. Unless there is no better alternative to surgery,

it's a crime and it's morally wrong.

Best to all-

Heidi (Bexon's Mom, 23 months old, in 2nd cast from

SLC)

My biggest point here

[Guest guest]

Our health care system is so broken………Something

must be done.

Unacceptable. (my most used word)

HRH

From: infantile_scoliosis [mailto:infantile_scoliosis ] On Behalf Of Tasha Fontenot

Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 2:39

PM

To: infantile_scoliosis

Subject: Re:

ortho vent

Heidi,

That is awful and makes me sick how much they charged for that 10 minute

visit!

Health Insurance is a joke and most of the doctors are milking it for all

they can.

I hope you do not have to pay that amount.

My husband owns his own business so insurance for us is SKY HIGH! We

had to end up dropping he and I last year and just keep the boys on. Each

year it went up anywhere from $50-100 dollars and then every time we had a

birthday it went up $35! BS!!!!

I am here to tell you it is cheaper for me to go to the doctor and pay out of

pocket than it is for me to pay a monthly insurance premium and an office

visit.

My mammogram this year I got a 55% discount because I DID NOT have

insurance.

So I am all with you sister. It is morally wrong and yes I feel it is a

crime.

Tasha

Mommy of 4 year old twin boys- and

Fort Worth, Texas

is currently in a brace at night.

Casting 14 months.

From: NIck Guthe <nickguthe>

Subject: ortho vent

To: infantile_scoliosis

Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 3:12 PM

Hi everyone,

We got a phone call this morning from a major hospital

here in L.A. that we owe a bill for an ortho, " second opinion " doc

visit- one 10 minute visit- for 550 dollars. This ortho saw Bex only once

for around 10 minutes, there were no x-rays taken, he didn't even

remove his clothes for an exam.

He also suggested an unneeded 3rd MRI, when we

had 2 ones done already, and almost caused us not to take the cancellation

slot we got from Shriners in SLC- which would have been a vital mistake for

our child's health- as his curve progressed from 34 to 61 degrees in 6

weeks. We would have lost more weeks of precious time, as his condition

worsened, had we taken this highly respected ortho's advice.

We wouldn't have gotten Bex into the first

cast as soon as we did if we took this doc's suggestion of the 3rd

MRI, which I'm pretty convinced he only suggested because he thought we had

the time (the cancellation slot had not opened yet at SLC), and he personally

asked us about our insurance in the room, so he knew we could cover it.

We will be looking into what we really should pay

through our insurance co., but wanted to make the point to always check if

a doc you are seeing is " in network " , if you're using your

insurance. We just asked if his office took Blue Cross, and they

said yes. That means yes, they'll take whatever 100+ dollars Blue Cross

will pay, and then we are responsible for the rest.

Had we gone to him for multiple visits, we would've

been quite surprised to get bills for thousands of dollars, so do ask what

their basic office fee is, if it's not a Shriners type hospital! We

are so grateful to be at Shriners.

Also, just a friendly reminder that just because a doc

is highly respected, does not mean his or her opinion is right for your

child. It kind of steams us to pay for a wrong and even dangerous opinion.

And on that note, is it not a crime that some (most)

orthos suggest only years of bracing and surgeries for our kids, when

casting can be an early cure? They are not cars, they are HUMAN

BEINGS! It seems like they're willfully milking the insurance cos and

families for years of payments- when many children could be cured

by pre-school, with non-surgical EDF casting. Unless there is no better

alternative to surgery, it's a crime and it's morally wrong.

Best to all-

Heidi (Bexon's Mom, 23 months old, in 2nd cast from

SLC)

My biggest point here

[Guest guest]

I feel the same way and I know we are not

alone!

HRH

From: infantile_scoliosis [mailto:infantile_scoliosis ] On Behalf Of Tasha Fontenot

Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 2:42

PM

To: infantile_scoliosis

Subject: Re:

ortho vent

OK sorry I went off on insurance when I don't think

you were.

I just went back and read your post again.

Oh well I guess you all know how I feel about insurance now.

Tasha

Mommy of 4 year old twin boys- and

Fort Worth, Texas

is currently in a brace at night.

Casting 14 months.

From: NIck Guthe <nickgutheyahoo (DOT) com>

Subject: [infantile_scoliosi s] ortho vent

To: infantile_scoliosis @yahoogroups. com

Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 3:12 PM

Hi everyone,

We got a phone call this morning from a major

hospital here in L.A. that we owe a bill for an ortho, " second

opinion " doc visit- one 10 minute visit- for 550 dollars. This

ortho saw Bex only once for around 10 minutes, there were no x-rays

taken, he didn't even remove his clothes for an exam.

He also suggested an unneeded 3rd MRI, when we

had 2 ones done already, and almost caused us not to take the

cancellation slot we got from Shriners in SLC- which would have been a

vital mistake for our child's health- as his curve progressed from

34 to 61 degrees in 6 weeks. We would have lost more weeks of

precious time, as his condition worsened, had we taken this highly

respected ortho's advice.

We wouldn't have gotten Bex into the first

cast as soon as we did if we took this doc's suggestion of the 3rd

MRI, which I'm pretty convinced he only suggested because he thought we

had the time (the cancellation slot had not opened yet at SLC), and he personally

asked us about our insurance in the room, so he knew we could cover it.

We will be looking into what we really should pay

through our insurance co., but wanted to make the point to always check

if a doc you are seeing is " in network " , if you're using your

insurance. We just asked if his office took Blue Cross, and

they said yes. That means yes, they'll take whatever 100+ dollars

Blue Cross will pay, and then we are responsible for the rest.

Had we gone to him for multiple visits, we would've

been quite surprised to get bills for thousands of dollars, so do ask what

their basic office fee is, if it's not a Shriners type hospital! We

are so grateful to be at Shriners.

Also, just a friendly reminder that just because a

doc is highly respected, does not mean his or her opinion is right for

your child. It kind of steams us to pay for a wrong and even dangerous

opinion.

And on that note, is it not a crime that some (most)

orthos suggest only years of bracing and surgeries for our kids, when

casting can be an early cure? They are not cars, they are HUMAN

BEINGS! It seems like they're willfully milking the insurance cos and

families for years of payments- when many children could be

cured by pre-school, with non-surgical EDF casting. Unless there is no

better alternative to surgery, it's a crime and it's morally wrong.

Best to all-

Heidi (Bexon's Mom, 23 months old, in 2nd cast from

SLC)

My biggest point here

[Guest guest]

A crying shame for all the children with

prog. i.s. that go through his office.

HRH

From: infantile_scoliosis [mailto:infantile_scoliosis ] On Behalf Of jill wienke

Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 3:38

PM

To: infantile_scoliosis

Subject: Re:

ortho vent

I agree. Our otho here KNEW ABOUT ET and

didn't discuss it. I want to yell at him, " Shame on

you! " UGHHHHH

From: NIck Guthe <nickguthe>

Subject: ortho vent

To: infantile_scoliosis

Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 4:12 PM

Hi everyone,

We got a phone call this morning from a major

hospital here in L.A. that we owe a bill for an ortho, " second

opinion " doc visit- one 10 minute visit- for 550 dollars. This

ortho saw Bex only once for around 10 minutes, there were no x-rays

taken, he didn't even remove his clothes for an exam.

He also suggested an unneeded 3rd MRI, when

we had 2 ones done already, and almost caused us not to take the

cancellation slot we got from Shriners in SLC- which would have been a

vital mistake for our child's health- as his curve progressed from 34

to 61 degrees in 6 weeks. We would have lost more weeks of precious

time, as his condition worsened, had we taken this highly respected ortho's

advice.

We wouldn't have gotten Bex into the

first cast as soon as we did if we took this doc's suggestion

of the 3rd MRI, which I'm pretty convinced he only suggested

because he thought we had the time (the cancellation slot had not opened

yet at SLC), and he personally asked us about our insurance in the

room, so he knew we could cover it.

We will be looking into what we really should pay

through our insurance co., but wanted to make the point to always check if

a doc you are seeing is " in network " , if you're using your

insurance. We just asked if his office took Blue Cross, and they

said yes. That means yes, they'll take whatever 100+ dollars Blue

Cross will pay, and then we are responsible for the rest.

Had we gone to him for multiple visits, we

would've been quite surprised to get bills for thousands of dollars, so do

ask what their basic office fee is, if it's not a Shriners type

hospital! We are so grateful to be at Shriners.

Also, just a friendly reminder that just because a

doc is highly respected, does not mean his or her opinion is right for your

child. It kind of steams us to pay for a wrong and even dangerous opinion.

And on that note, is it not a crime that some

(most) orthos suggest only years of bracing and surgeries for our kids,

when casting can be an early cure? They are not cars, they are HUMAN

BEINGS! It seems like they're willfully milking the insurance cos and

families for years of payments- when many children could be cured

by pre-school, with non-surgical EDF casting. Unless there is no better

alternative to surgery, it's a crime and it's morally wrong.

Best to all-

Heidi (Bexon's Mom, 23 months old, in 2nd cast

from SLC)

My biggest point here

[Guest guest]

I have had surgeons tell me that the

pioneer of ET fixed the children with potions and powders, that she airbrushed

the before and after x-rays and that ET was a lie and a hoax!

ET was dismissed 100% prior to the article

being published, but now the good guys are experiencing first hand what properly

applied ET can achieve for their young patients and ET can longer be swept

under the rug. Not with parents demanding it for their children. Parents

demanding properly applied ET is an essential ingredient to making ET available

to all who need it.

HRH

From: infantile_scoliosis [mailto:infantile_scoliosis ] On Behalf Of NIck Guthe

Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 3:56

PM

To: infantile_scoliosis

Subject: Re:

ortho vent

You know what, Jill, my last post was about

(technically) the 3rd ortho surgeon we saw- the 1st did not treat scoliosis

at all (kept us watching and waiting for 4 precious months)- and the

2nd ortho surgeon we saw knows about EDF casting and to be honest--

he was a very nice man, but he said he did not do it, we'd have to go

" out of state " for it, and that it was " kind of like religion,

you either believe in it or you don't " .

In other words, he made it sound like something

kooky, crazy parents do...which made us dismiss it, until, thank God, we

found ISOP. And this doc well knows about the treatment, we know

that for sure. Morally wrong, he cannot plead ignorance.

-Heidi

From: NIck Guthe <nickgutheyahoo (DOT) com>

Subject: [infantile_scoliosi s] ortho vent

To: infantile_scoliosis @yahoogroups. com

Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 4:12 PM

Hi everyone,

We got a phone call this morning from a major

hospital here in L.A. that we owe a bill for an ortho, " second

opinion " doc visit- one 10 minute visit- for 550 dollars. This

ortho saw Bex only once for around 10 minutes, there were no x-rays

taken, he didn't even remove his clothes for an exam.

He also suggested an unneeded 3rd MRI, when

we had 2 ones done already, and almost caused us not to take the

cancellation slot we got from Shriners in SLC- which would have been a

vital mistake for our child's health- as his curve progressed from

34 to 61 degrees in 6 weeks. We would have lost more weeks of

precious time, as his condition worsened, had we taken this highly

respected ortho's advice.

We wouldn't have gotten Bex into the

first cast as soon as we did if we took this doc's suggestion

of the 3rd MRI, which I'm pretty convinced he only suggested

because he thought we had the time (the cancellation slot had not opened

yet at SLC), and he personally asked us about our insurance in the

room, so he knew we could cover it.

We will be looking into what we really should

pay through our insurance co., but wanted to make the point to always

check if a doc you are seeing is " in network " , if you're using

your insurance. We just asked if his office took Blue Cross,

and they said yes. That means yes, they'll take whatever 100+

dollars Blue Cross will pay, and then we are responsible for

the rest.

Had we gone to him for multiple visits, we

would've been quite surprised to get bills for thousands of dollars, so

do ask what their basic office fee is, if it's not a Shriners type

hospital! We are so grateful to be at Shriners.

Also, just a friendly reminder that just because

a doc is highly respected, does not mean his or her opinion is right for

your child. It kind of steams us to pay for a wrong and even dangerous

opinion.

And on that note, is it not a crime that some

(most) orthos suggest only years of bracing and surgeries for our kids,

when casting can be an early cure? They are not cars, they are HUMAN

BEINGS! It seems like they're willfully milking the insurance cos and

families for years of payments- when many children could be

cured by pre-school, with non-surgical EDF casting. Unless there is no

better alternative to surgery, it's a crime and it's morally wrong.

Best to all-

Heidi (Bexon's Mom, 23 months old, in 2nd cast

from SLC)

My biggest point here

[Guest guest]

There is no turning back once your child

has had surgery. Surgery should be offered ONLY as a last resort, after all

other non surgical options have been exhausted.

I bet his response would have been

different if it was his child. He would already be on his way to SLC or England to get a properly applied EDF cast. No doubt about it!

HRH

From: infantile_scoliosis [mailto:infantile_scoliosis ] On Behalf Of Krista Sloan

Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 4:07

PM

To: infantile_scoliosis

Subject: Re:

ortho vent

I got that...vibe from a San Francisco MD. He said to me.. " Why would you want to do months of casting when I can

just do the surgery " ?? Gee...maybe because my baby was 15

months old at the time, and spinal fusion on a baby sounds really

scary!! So frustrating. ~Krista

From: NIck Guthe <nickgutheyahoo (DOT) com>

Subject: [infantile_scoliosi s] ortho vent

To: infantile_scoliosis @yahoogroups. com

Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 4:12 PM

Hi everyone,

We got a phone call this morning from a major

hospital here in L.A. that we owe a bill for an ortho, " second

opinion " doc visit- one 10 minute visit- for 550 dollars.

This ortho saw Bex only once for around 10 minutes, there were no

x-rays taken, he didn't even remove his clothes for an exam.

He also suggested an unneeded 3rd MRI,

when we had 2 ones done already, and almost caused us not to take the

cancellation slot we got from Shriners in SLC- which would have been a

vital mistake for our child's health- as his curve progressed from

34 to 61 degrees in 6 weeks. We would have lost more weeks of

precious time, as his condition worsened, had we taken this highly

respected ortho's advice.

We wouldn't have gotten Bex into the

first cast as soon as we did if we took this doc's suggestion

of the 3rd MRI, which I'm pretty convinced he only suggested

because he thought we had the time (the cancellation slot had not

opened yet at SLC), and he personally asked us about our insurance

in the room, so he knew we could cover it.

We will be looking into what we really should

pay through our insurance co., but wanted to make the point to always

check if a doc you are seeing is " in network " , if you're

using your insurance. We just asked if his office took Blue

Cross, and they said yes. That means yes, they'll take whatever

100+ dollars Blue Cross will pay, and then we are responsible for

the rest.

Had we gone to him for multiple visits, we

would've been quite surprised to get bills for thousands of dollars, so

do ask what their basic office fee is, if it's not a Shriners type

hospital! We are so grateful to be at Shriners.

Also, just a friendly reminder that just

because a doc is highly respected, does not mean his or her opinion is

right for your child. It kind of steams us to pay for a wrong and even

dangerous opinion.

And on that note, is it not a crime that some

(most) orthos suggest only years of bracing and surgeries for our kids,

when casting can be an early cure? They are not cars, they are

HUMAN BEINGS! It seems like they're willfully milking the insurance cos

and families for years of payments- when many children could

be cured by pre-school, with non-surgical EDF casting. Unless there is

no better alternative to surgery, it's a crime and it's morally wrong.

Best to all-

Heidi (Bexon's Mom, 23 months old, in 2nd cast

from SLC)

My biggest point here

[Guest guest]

Very well said….

I think the biggest factor of all is lack

of education.

HRH

From: infantile_scoliosis [mailto:infantile_scoliosis ] On Behalf Of NIck Guthe

Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 4:36

PM

To: infantile_scoliosis

Subject: Re:

ortho vent

WORSE than sounds scary, it has a 100 percent

complication rate, requires surgical adjustments every 6 months if there are

no complications- but with a 100 percent complication rate, how often does

that happen? This is info I have thanks to .

AND, the complications are metal staples being lost

inside the child's body, requiring exploratory surgery, things fusing where

they should not be fused...deformity, pain, and the body cavity being too

small to support the child's growing organs, which can result in permanent

organ damage and/or death.

I would do the surgery if it were the best option

for my child, please let me be clear about that, but if there is an early

treatment, EDF casting option--

seriously. How could doctors not suggest and encourage

it? Because of the money, lack of knowledge, and because they want to

operate.

Surgeons want to operate like race car drivers want

to get on the track. No disrespect to surgeons, I have needed you in the past

and will surely need your brilliance and talent again, but not when there is

a better option for our kids!!!

-Heidi

From: NIck Guthe <nickgutheyahoo (DOT) com>

Subject: [infantile_scoliosi s] ortho vent

To: infantile_scoliosis @yahoogroups. com

Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 4:12 PM

Hi everyone,

We got a phone call this morning from a

major hospital here in L.A. that we owe a bill for an ortho,

" second opinion " doc visit- one 10 minute visit- for

550 dollars. This ortho saw Bex only once for around 10

minutes, there were no x-rays taken, he didn't even remove his

clothes for an exam.

He also suggested an unneeded 3rd MRI,

when we had 2 ones done already, and almost caused us not to take the

cancellation slot we got from Shriners in SLC- which would have been

a vital mistake for our child's health- as his curve progressed

from 34 to 61 degrees in 6 weeks. We would have lost more weeks

of precious time, as his condition worsened, had we taken this highly

respected ortho's advice.

We wouldn't have gotten Bex into

the first cast as soon as we did if we took this doc's

suggestion of the 3rd MRI, which I'm pretty convinced he

only suggested because he thought we had the time (the cancellation

slot had not opened yet at SLC), and he personally asked us

about our insurance in the room, so he knew we could cover it.

We will be looking into what we really

should pay through our insurance co., but wanted to make the point to

always check if a doc you are seeing is " in network " , if

you're using your insurance. We just asked if his

office took Blue Cross, and they said yes. That means yes,

they'll take whatever 100+ dollars Blue Cross will pay, and then we

are responsible for the rest.

Had we gone to him for multiple visits, we

would've been quite surprised to get bills for thousands of dollars,

so do ask what their basic office fee is, if it's not a Shriners type

hospital! We are so grateful to be at Shriners.

Also, just a friendly reminder that just

because a doc is highly respected, does not mean his or her opinion

is right for your child. It kind of steams us to pay for a wrong and

even dangerous opinion.

And on that note, is it not a crime that

some (most) orthos suggest only years of bracing and surgeries for

our kids, when casting can be an early cure? They are not cars,

they are HUMAN BEINGS! It seems like they're willfully milking the

insurance cos and families for years of payments- when many children could

be cured by pre-school, with non-surgical EDF casting. Unless there

is no better alternative to surgery, it's a crime and it's morally

wrong.

Best to all-

Heidi (Bexon's Mom, 23 months old, in 2nd

cast from SLC)

My biggest point here