Pre-surg questions answered Very Lucky (Jeri)

[Guest guest]

Hi Cam.

I was able to ask the insurance-type questions this morning.

Hubby's company has one heck of a good policy. I am blessed to be so

lucky.

Dr. T will work on:

Posterior: L3-S1 and T4-T5

Anterior: T4-T5, L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1

Looks like he's doing everything from both angles.

Insurance says I'm covered for hospital stay - " 2 days " covered with

authorization for more if medically necessary... hmmm. He's planning

5-7 days.

There are some Q's for Dr.T before my pre-surg workup Secretary ssys

to email questions to her for Dr. T to answer and then she'll call me

w/ answers -- write answers?:

(HIPPA restrictiions)

1] Posterior: Thora-co-abdominal? Distal? I suppose I could ask

those Q's at pre-surg

2] Will I be getting up while I'm in hosp? If not, how is my surgery

different than others when they get up within a day or so?

3] Rehab and PT need prior authorization from Dr. Tribus.

4] Transport from hosp to skilled facility.

It feels good to have the insurance Q's answered NOW. Thanks for the

head's up, Cam!

>

> Hi Jeri,

>

> I was clicking through the NSF forum this morning

(www.scoliosis.org)

> and this " edited " post spoke to the anterior/posterior stuff you

were

> asking about as it pertains to incision,age/staging and Bridwell. I

> can't verify the truth of any of it...but it might be something to

> add to your question list:

>

> " I know of a woman who had posterior surgery to the sacrum in April

> of this year by Dr. Bridwell and then went back in June to have

> anterior surgery. Given her age (61) Dr. Bridwell preferred to

space

> her surgeries a few months apart. JanL is having the identical

> surgery by Dr. Bridwell this week, but because she is younger, her

> surgeries are both this week. Dr. Bridwell has pretty much backed

> away from performing thoracoabdominal approaches which require a

> chest/stomach incision. He will perform an anterior distal lumbar

> approach when needed which does not disrupt the rib cage or

> diaphragm. This is what was explained to me when I met with him in

> September of last year. "

>

> I hope you get your insurance questions sorted for rehab too. I

know

> I would make sure that I was pre-approved on the " front side " or at

> least have a plan in place (in my head!!) for how to manage at home

> should they discharge you home with no interim care. I do also

wonder

> what will be different about your surgery that you will not be

> getting up on your own the day (or so) after surgery.

>

> And speaking of insurance...you mentioned your autologus donation.

I

> donated 3 units, had brother donated 1, and I think used 2 from

> the " cell saver " during surgery. Anyway...for most of us the

> insurance companies dont always cover blood donation....and in fact

> you may find this part very ticky....and it is expensive. If you

have

> time, I would verify who is going to pay before you go. I believe

> that usually if you donate directly at the hospital that will do

your

> surgery (if they have an on-site blood donation center) you may

find

> it is the most inexpensive (or free) way to bank your blood.

>

> Take Care, Cam

>