Re: important insurance and JRI information

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I read your email and felt a little bemused by the bit below............

There are a number of people who hit similiar experiences from surgeons

early days of Resurfacing in Australia.............. but I had to laugh

today when I was told that one of our local OS who was known to be anti

Resurface early on was recently reported visiting a collegue south to watch

his work doing resurfacing ops........ If all proceeds as usual human nature

you too can expect the good Dr. Dennis to be undertaking hip

resurfacing in due course........smile. As we are finding in Australia at

least, too many patients start avoiding them and like everyone else they

then don't want to be left behind in the reputation stakes...........

Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

>

> For those of you considering using JRI, I have a bit of additional

information.

>

> I have consulted with Dr. Amstutz and have been told that I am a candidate

for resurfacing. (Thus the insurance rejection.) Yesterday, I consulted

with one of the leading hip surgeons in my city -- Dr. Dennis. He

presented a compelling case against resurfacing. (Any of the veterans of

this group have heard it before, but if anyone else wants to hear it, I

would be happy to send around another email.) But he also told me that if I

decided to have the hip resurfacing done, I should have Harlan Amstutz do it

because there is no one who has done more of them and who is more qualified.

>

> on

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I read your email and felt a little bemused by the bit below............

There are a number of people who hit similiar experiences from surgeons

early days of Resurfacing in Australia.............. but I had to laugh

today when I was told that one of our local OS who was known to be anti

Resurface early on was recently reported visiting a collegue south to watch

his work doing resurfacing ops........ If all proceeds as usual human nature

you too can expect the good Dr. Dennis to be undertaking hip

resurfacing in due course........smile. As we are finding in Australia at

least, too many patients start avoiding them and like everyone else they

then don't want to be left behind in the reputation stakes...........

Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

>

> For those of you considering using JRI, I have a bit of additional

information.

>

> I have consulted with Dr. Amstutz and have been told that I am a candidate

for resurfacing. (Thus the insurance rejection.) Yesterday, I consulted

with one of the leading hip surgeons in my city -- Dr. Dennis. He

presented a compelling case against resurfacing. (Any of the veterans of

this group have heard it before, but if anyone else wants to hear it, I

would be happy to send around another email.) But he also told me that if I

decided to have the hip resurfacing done, I should have Harlan Amstutz do it

because there is no one who has done more of them and who is more qualified.

>

> on

[Guest guest]

,

I would challenge the assertion that no one has done more

resurfacings than Dr Amstutz. It may be true of the US but there are

surgeons in Europe who have done thousands.

Regards,

Vale

McMinn, Nov 1999

But he also told me that if I decided to have the hip resurfacing

done, I should have Harlan Amstutz do it because there is no one who

has done more of them and who is more qualified.

>

> on

[Guest guest]

Dear :

There comes a time when we need to make decisions based on what we believe is

best for us.

If I were in your shoes, I'd abandon the US health system, find the money,

and go to DeSmet if that's who you want to use as an alternative to a US doc.

You really don't want to miss the window of opportunity for a resurf.

I just made it under the wire with my first one because I waited 8 months to

get some personal stuff done that I thought was more important. If I'd

discovered too late that I couldn't resurf because I attended to my other

things, I

would never have forgiven myself.

I made damn sure that when I did the other side, I wasn't playing that close

to the edge.

Go for it.

Des Tuck

Bilateral - Treacy

In a message dated 2/12/2004 9:04:04 AM Pacific Standard Time,

lindap@... writes:

Am I the only one of the JRI's prospective patients who is really angry

that it has taken them so long to decide to code this procedure as a THR for

insurance purposes? Dr. Amstutz approved me as a suitable candidate for

resurfacing in mid-June of last year. He wanted to do the surgery within

4-6 weeks because I had several bone cysts. I've been fighting for

insurance coverage ever since. In the meantime, fearing that I was no

longer a suitable candidate, I had new x-rays taken last week. I FedExed

them to Dr. De Smet this past Friday, and he e-mailed me on Monday. He

feels that I have such significant damage to my hip that I need to have this

done very soon or not at all. I'll need a dysplasia cup with screws. Do

either of the US devices have this option? Lee at Dr. Gross's office told

me that Corin has a dysplasia cup with pegs, but Dr. Gross will not be back

in the office to see the x-rays I sent until next Tuesday. I specifically

asked Lee what code they use before sending my films, and she said they code

resurfacings as THRs. She explained that the code description for THR

stipulates replacement of both SURFACES of the joint, which clearly applies

to hip RESURFACING. In addition to using the " unlisted procedure " code to

enhance the chances of getting a new code for resurfacing, Chuck had

intimated back in June that using the THR code was somewhat unethical and

left me with the feeling that it might even be construed as insurance fraud.

Then suddenly last Friday Chuck calls to tell me that the JRI surgeons

had checked with other surgeons in the Conserve + study, that virtually all

of them use the THR code, and that effective immediately JHR would join the

crowd and start using the THR code for resurfacings. I should send my new

x-rays, JRI would resubmit my surgery as a THR, approval should be

immediate, and Dr. Amstutz would work me in for late Feb or early March

since I had been waiting so long. I was stunned. All this wasted time and

bone and needless pain because the JRI surgeons wanted a better chance of

higher reimbursement! This decision could (and should) have been made

months, if not years ago. At this point, I'll be lucky if I can still have

a hip resurfacing at all, it's going to be a much more difficult surgery,

and Dr. De Smet may be the only one with the proper devices and experience

to do it! I will be paying cash up front if I go to Belgium, and may or may

not get any reimbursement from insurance. I don't doubt that Dr. Amstutz is

an excellent surgeon, but I don't think he's had his patients' best

interests at heart here. Had my resurfacing been submitted with a THR code

initially, I would now be living a normal life 6 months post-op.

Feedback anyone?

[Guest guest]

> Am I the only one of the JRI's prospective patients who is

really angry

> that it has taken them so long to decide to code this procedure as a

THR for

> insurance purposes?

One assumes that they were concerned about being prosecuted for willfull

miscoding - a federal offense which can result in a 5 year prison term

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/18/parts/i/chapters/47/sections/s\

ection_1035.html)

Steve

[Guest guest]

They've raised it to a fine art, Edith. It's one of the joys of being

American.

Des Tuck

In a message dated 2/12/2004 6:33:43 PM Pacific Standard Time,

ecrow@... writes:

> do your insurance coys specialise

> in annoying their customers.......???

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I was out on the Totallyhip list last night and see that you guys can have

just about as much trouble trying to get an insurance coy to cover a THR in

US as a Resurface........... Wow.......... do your insurance coys specialise

in annoying their customers.......???

Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

>

> > Am I the only one of the JRI's prospective patients who is

> really angry

> > that it has taken them so long to decide to code this procedure as a

> THR for

> > insurance purposes?

>

> One assumes that they were concerned about being prosecuted for willfull

> miscoding - a federal offense which can result in a 5 year prison term

>

>

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/18/parts/i/chapters/47/sectio

ns/section_1035.html)

>

> Steve

[Guest guest]

Just remember: those of us who can complain about insurance are

the *lucky* ones. There are nearly 44 million people in the US

with no health insurance at all. Isn't it wonderful to have

" the best health care system in the world " ?

Having a *particularly* painful day,

Steve

> They've raised it to a fine art, Edith. It's one of the joys of being

> American.

>

> Des Tuck

>

> In a message dated 2/12/2004 6:33:43 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> ecrow@c... writes:

>

> > do your insurance coys specialise

> > in annoying their customers.......???

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

They've raised it to a fine art, Edith. It's one of the joys of being

American.One of my co-workers has a sign in her office. " Reasoning with an

underwriter is like chasing a pig. After awhile you realize the pig enjoys it! "

Cindy

C+ 5/25/01 and 6/28/01

_______________________________________________

[Guest guest]

, you're my kinda gal. Best of luck to you.

Des Tuck

In a message dated 2/13/2004 8:59:57 AM Pacific Standard Time,

lindap@... writes:

$20,000-30,000 possibly out of pocket, and I might

wake up with a THR, vs. $15,000 with a surgeon who says he can still do it

if I don't wait much longer. I think I'm flying to Belgium!

[Guest guest]

Whaddya mean sense of humor? I'm serious most of the time!

Des

In a message dated 2/13/2004 9:46:18 AM Pacific Standard Time,

lindap@... writes:

Thanks, Des. I've enjoyed your sense of humor when reading your posts to

this site. I'll let you know when I get scheduled with Koen.

[Guest guest]

I couldn’t agree with you more! A painful reality here in the USA.

-Beth

Re: important insurance and JRI information

Just remember: those of us who can complain about insurance are

the *lucky* ones. There are nearly 44 million people in the US

with no health insurance at all. Isn't it wonderful to have

" the best health care system in the world " ?

Having a *particularly* painful day,

Steve

> They've raised it to a fine art, Edith. It's one of the joys of being

> American.

>

> Des Tuck

>

> In a message dated 2/12/2004 6:33:43 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> ecrow@c... writes:

>

> > do your insurance coys specialise

> > in annoying their customers.......???

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Edith & Steve,

I don't know that they delight in annoying us, but they're all

for-profit companies, and the surest way to increase profits is to deny as

many claims as you can. Delaying works, too, because some people give up,

have other health problems become more urgent or just die in the meantime!

In my case, delaying worked so well for them that I now have so much damage

to my hip that I'll be lucky to get to Belgium in time for Dr. De Smet to

work his magic on my own nickel! I sent my x-rays to Dr. Gross, too,

because I'd like his opinion, but I'm afraid that since my insurance file

already contains two denials for resurfacing, that the insurance company

would delve further into the next hip surgery request, and refuse it, too,

even with the THR code. $20,000-30,000 possibly out of pocket, and I might

wake up with a THR, vs. $15,000 with a surgeon who says he can still do it

if I don't wait much longer. I think I'm flying to Belgium!

Regarding the willful miscoding (insurance fraud) issue, I thought so

too, at first, until I corresponded with Lee at Dr. Gross's office in South

Carolina. She said they use the THR code for resurfacing because " the

description in the CPT code book states you are replacing both surfaces of

the joint, which we are clearly doing with a resurfacing procedure, it is

well within the guidelines of the code. " This was about ego (having our own

code for the device we developed) and profit!

Re: important insurance and JRI information

> Hi,

>

> I was out on the Totallyhip list last night and see that you guys can have

> just about as much trouble trying to get an insurance coy to cover a THR

in

> US as a Resurface........... Wow.......... do your insurance coys

specialise

> in annoying their customers.......???

>

> Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

>

>

> >

> > > Am I the only one of the JRI's prospective patients who is

> > really angry

> > > that it has taken them so long to decide to code this procedure as a

> > THR for

> > > insurance purposes?

> >

> > One assumes that they were concerned about being prosecuted for willfull

> > miscoding - a federal offense which can result in a 5 year prison term

> >

> >

>

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/18/parts/i/chapters/47/sectio

> ns/section_1035.html)

> >

> > Steve

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Edith & Steve,

I don't know that they delight in annoying us, but they're all

for-profit companies, and the surest way to increase profits is to deny as

many claims as you can. Delaying works, too, because some people give up,

have other health problems become more urgent or just die in the meantime!

In my case, delaying worked so well for them that I now have so much damage

to my hip that I'll be lucky to get to Belgium in time for Dr. De Smet to

work his magic on my own nickel! I sent my x-rays to Dr. Gross, too,

because I'd like his opinion, but I'm afraid that since my insurance file

already contains two denials for resurfacing, that the insurance company

would delve further into the next hip surgery request, and refuse it, too,

even with the THR code. $20,000-30,000 possibly out of pocket, and I might

wake up with a THR, vs. $15,000 with a surgeon who says he can still do it

if I don't wait much longer. I think I'm flying to Belgium!

Regarding the willful miscoding (insurance fraud) issue, I thought so

too, at first, until I corresponded with Lee at Dr. Gross's office in South

Carolina. She said they use the THR code for resurfacing because " the

description in the CPT code book states you are replacing both surfaces of

the joint, which we are clearly doing with a resurfacing procedure, it is

well within the guidelines of the code. " This was about ego (having our own

code for the device we developed) and profit!

Re: important insurance and JRI information

> Hi,

>

> I was out on the Totallyhip list last night and see that you guys can have

> just about as much trouble trying to get an insurance coy to cover a THR

in

> US as a Resurface........... Wow.......... do your insurance coys

specialise

> in annoying their customers.......???

>

> Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

>

>

> >

> > > Am I the only one of the JRI's prospective patients who is

> > really angry

> > > that it has taken them so long to decide to code this procedure as a

> > THR for

> > > insurance purposes?

> >

> > One assumes that they were concerned about being prosecuted for willfull

> > miscoding - a federal offense which can result in a 5 year prison term

> >

> >

>

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/18/parts/i/chapters/47/sectio

> ns/section_1035.html)

> >

> > Steve

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Des. I've enjoyed your sense of humor when reading your posts to

this site. I'll let you know when I get scheduled with Koen.

Re: Re: important insurance and JRI information

> , you're my kinda gal. Best of luck to you.

>

> Des Tuck

>

>

> In a message dated 2/13/2004 8:59:57 AM Pacific Standard Time,

> lindap@... writes:

> $20,000-30,000 possibly out of pocket, and I might

> wake up with a THR, vs. $15,000 with a surgeon who says he can still do it

> if I don't wait much longer. I think I'm flying to Belgium!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Des. I've enjoyed your sense of humor when reading your posts to

this site. I'll let you know when I get scheduled with Koen.

Re: Re: important insurance and JRI information

> , you're my kinda gal. Best of luck to you.

>

> Des Tuck

>

>

> In a message dated 2/13/2004 8:59:57 AM Pacific Standard Time,

> lindap@... writes:

> $20,000-30,000 possibly out of pocket, and I might

> wake up with a THR, vs. $15,000 with a surgeon who says he can still do it

> if I don't wait much longer. I think I'm flying to Belgium!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

When I first heard I could have my op I contacted my insurance coy and asked

if they covered etc........ I said I was a bit anxious about it all.........

I got an email back saying 'yes we do - and would you please stop worrying

as we don't think that is good before an op. We will do the worrying about

financing it, you do the preparation to have it'........... Sounds like I

have a rare sort of insurance coy.........

I remain bemused by the insurance issue and as I said a few emails ago it

seems some US coys don't even want to cover THR's....... One guy on

Totallyhip said something about his not covering them if one was under

50............ so obviously it woudn't matter what code his doctor

used....... Amazing what these coys will dream up to avoid paying

up........... and I guess most of us, including me, simply do not read these

policies while blissfully paying out good money for nonexistant

cover..........

Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter, Syd Aust 8/02

>

> I don't know that they delight in annoying us, but they're all

> for-profit companies, and the surest way to increase profits is to deny as

> many claims as you can. Delaying works, too, because some people give up,

> have other health problems become more urgent or just die in the meantime!

> In my case, delaying worked so well for them that I now have so much

damage

> to my hip that I'll be lucky to get to Belgium in time for Dr. De Smet to

> work his magic on my own nickel! I sent my x-rays to Dr. Gross, too,

> because I'd like his opinion, but I'm afraid that since my insurance file

> already contains two denials for resurfacing, that the insurance company

> would delve further into the next hip surgery request, and refuse it, too,

> even with the THR code. $20,000-30,000 possibly out of pocket, and I

might

> wake up with a THR, vs. $15,000 with a surgeon who says he can still do it

> if I don't wait much longer. I think I'm flying to Belgium!

> Regarding the willful miscoding (insurance fraud) issue, I thought so

> too, at first, until I corresponded with Lee at Dr. Gross's office in

South

> Carolina. She said they use the THR code for resurfacing because " the

> description in the CPT code book states you are replacing both surfaces of

> the joint, which we are clearly doing with a resurfacing procedure, it is

> well within the guidelines of the code. " This was about ego (having our

own

> code for the device we developed) and profit!

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Edith

Glad you had no problems. In the UK everyone is covered by the NHS

(socialized medicine) and those that wish can take further insurance cover

to go to private medicine ( I think about 20% take up this option). Some of

the insurance schemes then give cash inducements to anyone going the NHS

route. Although we have a large number of private hospitals we also have

NHS hospitals with private wings - I guess this is similar elsewhere.

Rog

Re: Re: important insurance and JRI information

> Hi,

>

> When I first heard I could have my op I contacted my insurance coy and

asked

> if they covered etc........ I said I was a bit anxious about it

all.........

> I got an email back saying 'yes we do - and would you please stop worrying

> as we don't think that is good before an op. We will do the worrying about

> financing it, you do the preparation to have it'........... Sounds like I

> have a rare sort of insurance coy.........

>

> I remain bemused by the insurance issue and as I said a few emails ago it

> seems some US coys don't even want to cover THR's....... One guy on

> Totallyhip said something about his not covering them if one was under

> 50............ so obviously it woudn't matter what code his doctor

> used....... Amazing what these coys will dream up to avoid paying

> up........... and I guess most of us, including me, simply do not read

these

> policies while blissfully paying out good money for nonexistant

> cover..........

>

> Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter, Syd Aust 8/02

>

> >

> > I don't know that they delight in annoying us, but they're all

> > for-profit companies, and the surest way to increase profits is to deny

as

> > many claims as you can. Delaying works, too, because some people give

up,

> > have other health problems become more urgent or just die in the

meantime!

> > In my case, delaying worked so well for them that I now have so much

> damage

> > to my hip that I'll be lucky to get to Belgium in time for Dr. De Smet

to

> > work his magic on my own nickel! I sent my x-rays to Dr. Gross, too,

> > because I'd like his opinion, but I'm afraid that since my insurance

file

> > already contains two denials for resurfacing, that the insurance company

> > would delve further into the next hip surgery request, and refuse it,

too,

> > even with the THR code. $20,000-30,000 possibly out of pocket, and I

> might

> > wake up with a THR, vs. $15,000 with a surgeon who says he can still do

it

> > if I don't wait much longer. I think I'm flying to Belgium!

> > Regarding the willful miscoding (insurance fraud) issue, I thought

so

> > too, at first, until I corresponded with Lee at Dr. Gross's office in

> South

> > Carolina. She said they use the THR code for resurfacing because " the

> > description in the CPT code book states you are replacing both surfaces

of

> > the joint, which we are clearly doing with a resurfacing procedure, it

is

> > well within the guidelines of the code. " This was about ego (having our

> own

> > code for the device we developed) and profit!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Edith - Here in the US.......most Ins Co's have contract language that

excludes investigational & experimental which is what the C+ & C2K are

designated by the FDA at this time. This provides co's basis to deny

coverage. Different rules for different countries.

Brad B

Re: Re: important insurance and JRI information

> Hi,

>

> When I first heard I could have my op I contacted my insurance coy and

asked

> if they covered etc........ I said I was a bit anxious about it

all.........

> I got an email back saying 'yes we do - and would you please stop worrying

> as we don't think that is good before an op. We will do the worrying about

> financing it, you do the preparation to have it'........... Sounds like I

> have a rare sort of insurance coy.........

>

> I remain bemused by the insurance issue and as I said a few emails ago it

> seems some US coys don't even want to cover THR's....... One guy on

> Totallyhip said something about his not covering them if one was under

> 50............ so obviously it woudn't matter what code his doctor

> used....... Amazing what these coys will dream up to avoid paying

> up........... and I guess most of us, including me, simply do not read

these

> policies while blissfully paying out good money for nonexistant

> cover..........

>

> Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter, Syd Aust 8/02

>

> >

> > I don't know that they delight in annoying us, but they're all

> > for-profit companies, and the surest way to increase profits is to deny

as

> > many claims as you can. Delaying works, too, because some people give

up,

> > have other health problems become more urgent or just die in the

meantime!

> > In my case, delaying worked so well for them that I now have so much

> damage

> > to my hip that I'll be lucky to get to Belgium in time for Dr. De Smet

to

> > work his magic on my own nickel! I sent my x-rays to Dr. Gross, too,

> > because I'd like his opinion, but I'm afraid that since my insurance

file

> > already contains two denials for resurfacing, that the insurance company

> > would delve further into the next hip surgery request, and refuse it,

too,

> > even with the THR code. $20,000-30,000 possibly out of pocket, and I

> might

> > wake up with a THR, vs. $15,000 with a surgeon who says he can still do

it

> > if I don't wait much longer. I think I'm flying to Belgium!

> > Regarding the willful miscoding (insurance fraud) issue, I thought

so

> > too, at first, until I corresponded with Lee at Dr. Gross's office in

> South

> > Carolina. She said they use the THR code for resurfacing because " the

> > description in the CPT code book states you are replacing both surfaces

of

> > the joint, which we are clearly doing with a resurfacing procedure, it

is

> > well within the guidelines of the code. " This was about ego (having our

> own

> > code for the device we developed) and profit!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Rog,

Well it is still sorta like that in Australia too........... Everyone is

theoritically covered by 'free' state based health cover. Actually my State

of Queensland seems to sort of do best in those stakes....... This

theoritically means that one could get a resurface or any other variety of

hip replacement done 'free'........ However lots have happened over the past

about 5 years to make a lot of difference to that theory......

In Aust the Fed govt collects most of the money via various taxes supposedly

on behalf of the States.......... However the Fed mob have the responsiblity

for what is called medibank which theoritically was set up to allow people

to go to private doctors and get a rebate to cover same from the Fed govt -

not insurance coys like you indicate happens in UK......... Thus there

begins a war between the States and Feds over pushing patients back and

forth....... The State hospital systems used to see people as outpatients

but have made up all sorts of little games like appointments months ahead to

shift people to private doctors which the States don't fund.........However,

the money from medibank covers less and less of a private doctors bill so

people try to go back to the 'free' health service and on and on it

goes..........each blaming the other for 'destroying' the health

system............

Into this a few years back the Fed govt threw a big subsidary to people to

take out private insurance to cover gaps in medibank coverage for doctors

but this is only when having ops and other bits and pieces like chiros

etc.......... Yes you are probably getting the message that it is one grand

old mess by now........... I was regularly seeing a chiro when this happened

and figured that, for not many more dollars, I ended up with good hospital

and op coverage......... Plus it had no restrictions on previously existing

problems etc......... This turned out to be one of those 'winning the

lottery' decisions a couple of years down the track.......... For not only

did I have to go out of State to find a doctor but it was an unusual op so

wouldn't have made it to the State funded list........ There doesn't seem

to be any restrictions in Aust on going to any doctor anywhere re insurance

coverage............ which sounds another good thing when compared to

US........

From my personal experience in the system it is showing signs of extreme

stress........... but I think that is pretty true of just about every

countries health system........... The huge costs of running hospitals,

nursing staff shortages, and huge costs of some procedures people expect for

free is all taking a toll. And when one has a system where State and Fed

govts can play games with each other it is bound to get big cracks over

time.............

Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

> Glad you had no problems. In the UK everyone is covered by the NHS

> (socialized medicine) and those that wish can take further insurance cover

> to go to private medicine ( I think about 20% take up this option). Some

of

> the insurance schemes then give cash inducements to anyone going the NHS

> route. Although we have a large number of private hospitals we also have

> NHS hospitals with private wings - I guess this is similar elsewhere.

> Rog

>

[Guest guest]

Absolutely, undeniably, and unequivacably YES!!!

Amy (waiting patiently for resurf and insurance cooperation)

-- In surfacehippy , " ecrow " wrote:

> Hi,

>

> I was out on the Totallyhip list last night and see that you guys

can have

> just about as much trouble trying to get an insurance coy to cover

a THR in

> US as a Resurface........... Wow.......... do your insurance coys

specialise

> in annoying their customers.......???

>

> Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

>

>

> >

> > > Am I the only one of the JRI's prospective patients who is

> > really angry

> > > that it has taken them so long to decide to code this procedure

as a

> > THR for

> > > insurance purposes?

> >

> > One assumes that they were concerned about being prosecuted for

willfull

> > miscoding - a federal offense which can result in a 5 year prison

term

> >

> >

>

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/18/parts/i/chapters/47/

sectio

> ns/section_1035.html)

> >

> > Steve

[Guest guest]

Absolutely, undeniably, and unequivacably YES!!!

Amy (waiting patiently for resurf and insurance cooperation)

-- In surfacehippy , " ecrow " wrote:

> Hi,

>

> I was out on the Totallyhip list last night and see that you guys

can have

> just about as much trouble trying to get an insurance coy to cover

a THR in

> US as a Resurface........... Wow.......... do your insurance coys

specialise

> in annoying their customers.......???

>

> Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

>

>

> >

> > > Am I the only one of the JRI's prospective patients who is

> > really angry

> > > that it has taken them so long to decide to code this procedure

as a

> > THR for

> > > insurance purposes?

> >

> > One assumes that they were concerned about being prosecuted for

willfull

> > miscoding - a federal offense which can result in a 5 year prison

term

> >

> >

>

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/18/parts/i/chapters/47/

sectio

> ns/section_1035.html)

> >

> > Steve

[Guest guest]

Absolutely, undeniably, and unequivacably YES!!!

Amy (waiting patiently for resurf and insurance cooperation)

-- In surfacehippy , " ecrow " wrote:

> Hi,

>

> I was out on the Totallyhip list last night and see that you guys

can have

> just about as much trouble trying to get an insurance coy to cover

a THR in

> US as a Resurface........... Wow.......... do your insurance coys

specialise

> in annoying their customers.......???

>

> Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

>

>

> >

> > > Am I the only one of the JRI's prospective patients who is

> > really angry

> > > that it has taken them so long to decide to code this procedure

as a

> > THR for

> > > insurance purposes?

> >

> > One assumes that they were concerned about being prosecuted for

willfull

> > miscoding - a federal offense which can result in a 5 year prison

term

> >

> >

>

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/casecode/uscodes/18/parts/i/chapters/47/

sectio

> ns/section_1035.html)

> >

> > Steve