Re: Cost?

[Guest guest]

a, I think cost depends on what you need to have done. I went to

a different doctor than you, but I think mine cost about $6600. My

insurance didn't cover it, because they only cover explant if the

implants were put in because of cancer - however that doesn't mean

that your insurance won't. Speak to Dr. Kolb about that when you

visit her, I've heard some of her patients have been able to get their

insurance to pay based on the diagnosis. I didn't need anything other

than the explant - some people need a breast lift and that costs

more. I know it can be frightening when you have to have surgery, but

honestly the explant was much less painful for me than the

implants.

Good luck.

Sis

>

> I am going for consult to Dr Knolb fri for my explant. Does anyone

> know around how much explant costs now? I'm not sure if my ins.

> will cover it. I'm trying to get ready to have funds available. I

> want to be able to set up surgery date, etc. Fri.

> Very nervous-anxious, a

>

[Guest guest]

Hi a,

I can understand you are nervous, but I have read a lot of great

things about dr. Kolb. She's on my list too. It's great that you're

seeing her the day after tomorrow - that means your explant date is

sooner than later; which is for the best!

Make sure you ask all the questions you can think of (or write them

down if you're afraid you might forget something) and that you feel

comfy with her personally. That's what I am going to look for when my

time comes.

Good Luck!!

Audrey

[Guest guest]

a,

Check your insurance papers . . . They may

specifically say they don't pay for implant removal,

or from " complications of cosmetic surgery " . .

But . . . It's cheaper for them to remove your

implants than to continue paying for all your doctors

visits/tests/medications if you don't. Read your

policy, then talk to them. It may take a letter from

your doctor - but after talking to Dr. Kolb, your

doctor will probably sign off on it if necessary.

One of our ladies got coverage AFTER surgery. She sent

her implants to Dr. Blais in Canada . .. He found

something like 12 organisms in them - any one of them

could have made her sick!

Hugs and prayers,

Rogene

[Guest guest]

$920 each cast, but insurance covers most of it.

~Lora

Mom to Marielle in 3rd cast

In a message dated 9/9/2011 4:17:38 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, juliechafin2005@... writes:

I am just wondering does anyone know how much having a mehta cast applied would cost for someone who didn't go to Shriner's and get it for free? My little girl gets hers at Shriner's and we don't have to worry about the cost. I am just wondering how much it costs for others though? Anyone know? I am just so thankful for Shriner's!!- , mom of Abby (2 years) 8* down from 48* in 4th cast

[Guest guest]

Looking at the most recent claim (date of service 7/8/11) that Shriners submitted to my insurance (Aetna), the breakdown is as follows:

Anesthesia $3,431.00

Application of body cast $12948.93

Recovery room $1,597.00

Pharmacy $15.80

X-ray exam of spine $470.56

Total bill $18,463.29

My insurance paid $15,014.63 (luckily I have out-of-network benefits since Shriners is out-of-network for me).

When shopping online, use this linkhttp://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=uQZMsFDxy5I%3Dand help me earn my referral bonuswhich will get donated tothe Infantile Scoliosis Outreach Program(a 501c3 organization) that is helpingme since my 3 year old has been diagnosed withINFANTILE IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS.You will also earn CASH BACK.SUZY ºOºsuzy3333

In a message dated 9/9/2011 4:17:38 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, juliechafin2005@... writes:

I am just wondering does anyone know how much having a mehta cast applied would cost for someone who didn't go to Shriner's and get it for free? My little girl gets hers at Shriner's and we don't have to worry about the cost. I am just wondering how much it costs for others though? Anyone know? I am just so thankful for Shriner's!!- , mom of Abby (2 years) 8* down from 48* in 4th cast

[Guest guest]

Now, I looked at our first casting claim (date of service 1/11/11) at Stanley Children's Hospital @ Columbia-Presbyterian in NYC. That breakdown for them is as follows:

Anesthesia $1,900.00

Application of body cast $7,090.48

Recovery room $1301.21

Pharmacy $10.40

X-ray $545.48

Total bill $10,847.57

My insurance paid $5,034.55 (this hospital was in-network so they have a contracted rate with my insurance company and they are required to take what is sent to them and not allowed to bill me for the balance).

When shopping online, use this linkhttp://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=uQZMsFDxy5I%3Dand help me earn my referral bonuswhich will get donated tothe Infantile Scoliosis Outreach Program(a 501c3 organization) that is helpingme since my 3 year old has been diagnosed withINFANTILE IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS.You will also earn CASH BACK.SUZY ºOºsuzy3333

In a message dated 9/9/2011 8:48:18 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, suzy3333@... writes:

Looking at the most recent claim (date of service 7/8/11) that Shriners submitted to my insurance (Aetna), the breakdown is as follows:

Anesthesia $3,431.00

Application of body cast $12948.93

Recovery room $1,597.00

Pharmacy $15.80

X-ray exam of spine $470.56

Total bill $18,463.29

My insurance paid $15,014.63 (luckily I have out-of-network benefits since Shriners is out-of-network for me).

When shopping online, use this linkhttp://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=uQZMsFDxy5I%3Dand help me earn my referral bonuswhich will get donated tothe Infantile Scoliosis Outreach Program(a 501c3 organization) that is helpingme since my 3 year old has been diagnosed withINFANTILE IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS.You will also earn CASH BACK.SUZY ºOºsuzy3333

In a message dated 9/9/2011 4:17:38 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, juliechafin2005@... writes:

I am just wondering does anyone know how much having a mehta cast applied would cost for someone who didn't go to Shriner's and get it for free? My little girl gets hers at Shriner's and we don't have to worry about the cost. I am just wondering how much it costs for others though? Anyone know? I am just so thankful for Shriner's!!- , mom of Abby (2 years) 8* down from 48* in 4th cast

[Guest guest]

Hi! We have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama through the school system of Alabama. We also have our on Shutter Business...we could not really afford private health care when we started the business in 2008. My husband gets up at 4:45 am. to drive a school bus & then returns in the afternoon to also drive. Sierra was born perfectly normal and full term in April of 2009. I noticed her 34 degree curve around 9 mo. Dec. of 2009. I took her to her Ped. pointed out the curve.. (Family Friend)...asked what the heck??? She freaked sent us for X-rays...they determined Sierra indeed had scoliosis, but NO one in this area had ever seen a Baby with scoliosis. We live on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. They did not even know how to measure her curve. They scheduled us to go to South Alabama Hospital in Mobile Alabama but wanted us to wait 3 weeks to see this Ped. Ortho over there. I had already heard he was “OLD SCHOOL†so I immediately hit the internet & found Hyatt, ISOP, C.A.S.T.... directed me to the only casting Dr. in the South East...Dr. K at Children's’ Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. We use to live in that area & have family but it is still a 4 to 5 hr. drive. I was like GREAT we do not have to travel out of state or fly or worry about Shriners b/c we have this GREAT insurance.....Well Bull S. Dr. k was trained by Dr. Mehta & I felt like we were very lucky! We were in to see Dr. k the following week and so we started are casting journey in April 2010...Sierra was 12 mo. and the day after the oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. We got our 1st cast, Spine MRI, and Brain MRI bc I wanted it all. Sierra’s was indeed IDIOPATHIC Progressive Infantile Scoliosis! Everything I though was covered untill I got the bill from the hospital. Our insurance refused to pay for the Mehta Casting...said it was “INVESTIGATIONAL†and they had never heard of it! The cost of the casting procedure is a little over $9,000.00 or atleast that is what the bill said! I knew I had a fight on my hands but, I was gonna win for the sake of my Daughter and our whole Family. With the help of Dr. K & his nurse and A LOT of documentation and a Great friend who dealt with some upper BC/BS insurance people the Insurance company finally agreed to pay for EVERYTHING....Thank U Jesus!!!! So they started paying around the 3 rd. casting & we stopped receiving ugly threatening letters/bills from the hospital. We are now on our 8th cast...Sierra just got it Sept. 2nd. Sierra has a very stiff spine...so we are out of cast at 16 degrees & ZERO in cast! Sorry so long winded...it is just good 4 me sometimes to VENT it out! So, anyone without Insurance or no help from Shriner’s is looking at $9,000.00 or more for each Mehta Casting!!!! UGH!!!! Thanks!

Kristi Mommy to Sierra 2 1/2 yrs. old been casting since April of 2010. On 8th cast. Started with 34 degree curve..now down to ZERO in cast! May go to bracing....NOT TO SURE ABOUT THAT JUST YET! DR. K said it was Called a PROVIDENCE NIGHT time brace. Has anyone dealt with this PROVIDENCE BRACE?????

From: juliechafin2005

Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 3:17 AM

infantile scoliosis treatment

Subject: Cost?

I am just wondering does anyone know how much having a mehta cast applied would cost for someone who didn't go to Shriner's and get it for free? My little girl gets hers at Shriner's and we don't have to worry about the cost. I am just wondering how much it costs for others though? Anyone know? I am just so thankful for Shriner's!!- , mom of Abby (2 years) 8* down from 48* in 4th cast

[Guest guest]

Hi Kristi,

What was Sierra's RVAD? Our Dr. had said he wouldn't cast below 50 degrees " and

no one else would sign off on that either " . iel's curve is only 29

degrees currently but in case it increases we'd like some options other than

just waiting until it hits 50 degrees.

Thanks,

>

> Hi! We have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama through the school system of

Alabama. We also have our on Shutter Business...we could not really afford

private health care when we started the business in 2008. My husband gets up at

4:45 am. to drive a school bus & then returns in the afternoon to also drive.

Sierra was born perfectly normal and full term in April of 2009. I noticed her

34 degree curve around 9 mo. Dec. of 2009. I took her to her Ped. pointed out

the curve.. (Family Friend)...asked what the heck??? She freaked sent us for

X-rays...they determined Sierra indeed had scoliosis, but NO one in this area

had ever seen a Baby with scoliosis. We live on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. They

did not even know how to measure her curve. They scheduled us to go to South

Alabama Hospital in Mobile Alabama but wanted us to wait 3 weeks to see this

Ped. Ortho over there. I had already heard he was “OLD SCHOOL†so I

immediately hit the internet & found Hyatt, ISOP, C.A.S.T....

directed me to the only casting Dr. in the South East...Dr. K at Children's’

Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. We use to live in that area & have family but

it is still a 4 to 5 hr. drive. I was like GREAT we do not have to travel out of

state or fly or worry about Shriners b/c we have this GREAT insurance.....Well

Bull S. Dr. k was trained by Dr. Mehta & I felt like we were very lucky! We were

in to see Dr. k the following week and so we started are casting journey in

April 2010...Sierra was 12 mo. and the day after the oil rig explosion in the

Gulf of Mexico. We got our 1st cast, Spine MRI, and Brain MRI bc I wanted it

all. Sierra’s was indeed IDIOPATHIC Progressive Infantile Scoliosis!

Everything I though was covered untill I got the bill from the hospital. Our

insurance refused to pay for the Mehta Casting...said it was

“INVESTIGATIONAL†and they had never heard of it! The cost of the casting

procedure is a little over $9,000.00 or atleast that is what the bill said! I

knew I had a fight on my hands but, I was gonna win for the sake of my Daughter

and our whole Family. With the help of Dr. K & his nurse and A LOT of

documentation and a Great friend who dealt with some upper BC/BS insurance

people the Insurance company finally agreed to pay for EVERYTHING....Thank U

Jesus!!!! So they started paying around the 3 rd. casting & we stopped receiving

ugly threatening letters/bills from the hospital. We are now on our 8th

cast...Sierra just got it Sept. 2nd. Sierra has a very stiff spine...so we are

out of cast at 16 degrees & ZERO in cast! Sorry so long winded...it is just good

4 me sometimes to VENT it out! So, anyone without Insurance or no help from

Shriner’s is looking at $9,000.00 or more for each Mehta Casting!!!! UGH!!!!

Thanks!

> Kristi Mommy to Sierra 2 1/2 yrs. old been casting since April of 2010. On 8th

cast. Started with 34 degree curve..now down to ZERO in cast! May go to

bracing....NOT TO SURE ABOUT THAT JUST YET! DR. K said it was Called a

PROVIDENCE NIGHT time brace. Has anyone dealt with this PROVIDENCE BRACE?????

>

> From: juliechafin2005

> Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 3:17 AM

> infantile scoliosis treatment

> Subject: Cost?

>

>

> I am just wondering does anyone know how much having a mehta cast applied

would cost for someone who didn't go to Shriner's and get it for free? My little

girl gets hers at Shriner's and we don't have to worry about the cost. I am just

wondering how much it costs for others though? Anyone know? I am just so

thankful for Shriner's!!

>

> - , mom of Abby (2 years) 8* down from 48* in 4th cast

>

[Guest guest]

As far as I know it's always best to cast BEFORE your child reaches 50 degrees

in order to achieve the best results.

T

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 9, 2011, at 11:31 PM, " torrieric " <torrieric@...> wrote:

Hi Kristi,

What was Sierra's RVAD? Our Dr. had said he wouldn't cast below 50 degrees " and

no one else would sign off on that either " . iel's curve is only 29

degrees currently but in case it increases we'd like some options other than

just waiting until it hits 50 degrees.

Thanks,

Hi! We have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama through the school system of

Alabama. We also have our on Shutter Business...we could not really afford

private health care when we started the business in 2008. My husband gets up at

4:45 am. to drive a school bus & then returns in the afternoon to also drive.

Sierra was born perfectly normal and full term in April of 2009. I noticed her

34 degree curve around 9 mo. Dec. of 2009. I took her to her Ped. pointed out

the curve.. (Family Friend)...asked what the heck??? She freaked sent us for

X-rays...they determined Sierra indeed had scoliosis, but NO one in this area

had ever seen a Baby with scoliosis. We live on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. They

did not even know how to measure her curve. They scheduled us to go to South

Alabama Hospital in Mobile Alabama but wanted us to wait 3 weeks to see this

Ped. Ortho over there. I had already heard he was “OLD SCHOOL†so I

immediately hit the internet & found

Hyatt, ISOP, C.A.S.T.... directed me to the only casting Dr. in

the South East...Dr. K at Children's’ Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. We use

to live in that area & have family but it is still a 4 to 5 hr. drive. I was

like GREAT we do not have to travel out of state or fly or worry about Shriners

b/c we have this GREAT insurance.....Well Bull S. Dr. k was trained by Dr. Mehta

& I felt like we were very lucky! We were in to see Dr. k the following week and

so we started are casting journey in April 2010...Sierra was 12 mo. and the day

after the oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. We got our 1st cast, Spine

MRI, and Brain MRI bc I wanted it all. Sierra’s was indeed IDIOPATHIC

Progressive Infantile Scoliosis! Everything I though was covered untill I got

the bill from the hospital. Our insurance refused to pay for the Mehta

Casting...said it was “INVESTIGATIONAL†and they had never heard of it! The

cost of the casting procedure

is a little over $9,000.00 or atleast that is what the bill said! I knew I had

a fight on my hands but, I was gonna win for the sake of my Daughter and our

whole Family. With the help of Dr. K & his nurse and A LOT of documentation and

a Great friend who dealt with some upper BC/BS insurance people the Insurance

company finally agreed to pay for EVERYTHING....Thank U Jesus!!!! So they

started paying around the 3 rd. casting & we stopped receiving ugly threatening

letters/bills from the hospital. We are now on our 8th cast...Sierra just got it

Sept. 2nd. Sierra has a very stiff spine...so we are out of cast at 16 degrees &

ZERO in cast! Sorry so long winded...it is just good 4 me sometimes to VENT it

out! So, anyone without Insurance or no help from Shriner’s is looking at

$9,000.00 or more for each Mehta Casting!!!! UGH!!!! Thanks!

Kristi Mommy to Sierra 2 1/2 yrs. old been casting since April of 2010. On 8th

cast. Started with 34 degree curve..now down to ZERO in cast! May go to

bracing....NOT TO SURE ABOUT THAT JUST YET! DR. K said it was Called a

PROVIDENCE NIGHT time brace. Has anyone dealt with this PROVIDENCE BRACE?????

From: juliechafin2005

Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 3:17 AM

infantile scoliosis treatment

Subject: Cost?

I am just wondering does anyone know how much having a mehta cast applied would

cost for someone who didn't go to Shriner's and get it for free? My little girl

gets hers at Shriner's and we don't have to worry about the cost. I am just

wondering how much it costs for others though? Anyone know? I am just so

thankful for Shriner's!!

- , mom of Abby (2 years) 8* down from 48* in 4th cast

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hey ! It has been so long..April 2010 I cannot remember exactly. I need to look back at my notes, but I believe Sierra’s RVAD was 25! I use to ask Dr. K about it all the time & he said as her Curvature comes down & straightens so will the RVAD! I just asked him this last casting (#8) on Sept. 2nd 2011 about the RVAD since he has had Sierra at ZERO or even negative 1 or 2 degrees in cast since June 2011 (7th) cast & he said there was almost no RVAD now! It is like a smoke & mirrors game when we there for casting...It gets on my nerves...Dr. k comes in for a few min. before & after casting! I try to ask everything, but a nurse comes in and the anesthesiologists are in & out. I get distracted with everything! Plus, I am so keyed up & on guard..plus emotional I do not get the Info. I need! That is why I’m scheduling a conference call with Dr. K! Maybe we can do Skype...so I can talk to him face to face!!! I just feel like b/c they screwed up on that I believe 6th cast he is just kinda blowing us OFF now! Sierra is only 2 1/2 yrs. old! I am just NOT ready to go to a brace with her at 16 degrees out of cast.....maybe I am wrong, but I just feel it in my Gut! I will ask him about the RVAD when I talk to him next week! Thanks! Kristi

From: torrieric

Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 11:31 PM

infantile scoliosis treatment

Subject: Re: Cost?

Hi Kristi,What was Sierra's RVAD? Our Dr. had said he wouldn't cast below 50 degrees "and no one else would sign off on that either". iel's curve is only 29 degrees currently but in case it increases we'd like some options other than just waiting until it hits 50 degrees.Thanks,>> Hi! We have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama through the school system of Alabama. We also have our on Shutter Business...we could not really afford private health care when we started the business in 2008. My husband gets up at 4:45 am. to drive a school bus & then returns in the afternoon to also drive. Sierra was born perfectly normal and full term in April of 2009. I noticed her 34 degree curve around 9 mo. Dec. of 2009. I took her to her Ped. pointed out the curve.. (Family Friend)...asked what the heck??? She freaked sent us for X-rays...they determined Sierra indeed had scoliosis, but NO one in this area had ever seen a Baby with scoliosis. We live on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. They did not even know how to measure her curve. They scheduled us to go to South Alabama Hospital in Mobile Alabama but wanted us to wait 3 weeks to see this Ped. Ortho over there. I had already heard he was “OLD SCHOOL†so I immediately hit the internet & found Hyatt, ISOP, C.A.S.T.... directed me to the only casting Dr. in the South East...Dr. K at Children's’ Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. We use to live in that area & have family but it is still a 4 to 5 hr. drive. I was like GREAT we do not have to travel out of state or fly or worry about Shriners b/c we have this GREAT insurance.....Well Bull S. Dr. k was trained by Dr. Mehta & I felt like we were very lucky! We were in to see Dr. k the following week and so we started are casting journey in April 2010...Sierra was 12 mo. and the day after the oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. We got our 1st cast, Spine MRI, and Brain MRI bc I wanted it all. Sierra’s was indeed IDIOPATHIC Progressive Infantile Scoliosis! Everything I though was covered untill I got the bill from the hospital. Our insurance refused to pay for the Mehta Casting...said it was “INVESTIGATIONAL†and they had never heard of it! The cost of the casting procedure is a little over $9,000.00 or atleast that is what the bill said! I knew I had a fight on my hands but, I was gonna win for the sake of my Daughter and our whole Family. With the help of Dr. K & his nurse and A LOT of documentation and a Great friend who dealt with some upper BC/BS insurance people the Insurance company finally agreed to pay for EVERYTHING....Thank U Jesus!!!! So they started paying around the 3 rd. casting & we stopped receiving ugly threatening letters/bills from the hospital. We are now on our 8th cast...Sierra just got it Sept. 2nd. Sierra has a very stiff spine...so we are out of cast at 16 degrees & ZERO in cast! Sorry so long winded...it is just good 4 me sometimes to VENT it out! So, anyone without Insurance or no help from Shriner’s is looking at $9,000.00 or more for each Mehta Casting!!!! UGH!!!! Thanks!> Kristi Mommy to Sierra 2 1/2 yrs. old been casting since April of 2010. On 8th cast. Started with 34 degree curve..now down to ZERO in cast! May go to bracing....NOT TO SURE ABOUT THAT JUST YET! DR. K said it was Called a PROVIDENCE NIGHT time brace. Has anyone dealt with this PROVIDENCE BRACE????? > > From: juliechafin2005 > Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 3:17 AM> mailto:infantile scoliosis treatment%40 > Subject: Cost?> > > I am just wondering does anyone know how much having a mehta cast applied would cost for someone who didn't go to Shriner's and get it for free? My little girl gets hers at Shriner's and we don't have to worry about the cost. I am just wondering how much it costs for others though? Anyone know? I am just so thankful for Shriner's!!> > - , mom of Abby (2 years) 8* down from 48* in 4th cast >