Auto insurance is sending me to an independent phychiatrist?! HELP!!

[bekah0656]

Has anyone else had there auto insurance adjuster send them to one of these? The appointment form says that the appointment can take up to 4 hours!! I cannot help but to feel that I'm walking into a lions den.Maybe I'm just nervous because I dont trust my auto insurance adjuster. I was injured due to an auto accident,and there is no cap on what they will be paying. They have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars by now. I just want to know what to expect,I'm nervous. I see my own Psychologist,was seeing my own Psychiatrist until I just found that I did better without anti-depressants. Just looking for personal experiences.
If you are wondering on background. I was injured in a rollover accident. I ruptured two discs needing a 2 level spinal fusion. The concern with the fusion is that the bone didnt seem to want to grow,and I was in more pain. I didnt get better so I had a spinal stimulator surgery. I had an allergic reaction to the stimulator,it was removed. They realized that I was allergic to the metal,and found out the the reason I was in so much pain after my fusion was because I was reacting to the metal in the fusion. They advised to remove the hardware from my spine. I was concerned because I was told I did not have a solid fusion,the Neurosurgeon said I did,and proceeded to remove the metal from my fusion site. I found out a few months ago that I did NOT have a solid fusion when he removed the metal. I now have an unfixable broken 2 level spinal fusion. I suffered from 3 migraines weekly since the accident,only Chiropractic adjustments 1-2 times weekly have helped keep them down to that point.  We just recently found out that I have a Chiari malformation,since that diagnosis,my Neurologist has stopped my Chiropractic adjustments and I've had a constant headache since the 7th of July. My concern is that with all this and the bills that all these health issues have accumulated,my insurance may try to find a way to stop paying. Maybe I'm just over-worrying? I just dont know why they would have me go to one of these,and why it would be for such a long appointment?

[bekah0656]

I apologize if this is a dumb question,what is EDS again? I truly appreciate all the help. I swear I feel like my memory retention has disappeared completely!

[zygy2]

Me again! I just went to your profile to look for MRI pics after I posted on another of your questions and then I found this one!  After reading this information about you I am left with another question.  Have you really contemplated if EDS could be an issue for you?  It seems to go with Chiari a whole bunch and I found I had EDS 3 after many many many issues with surgeries!  I had a three year and 11 surgery process for something I thought would be quick and just painful for a weebit!  I wish I had known about the EDS sooner so that other choices were made during my surgeries.  I am not on the boards a lot now that I am finally doing better but I like to drop in and see if there is anyone I can help :)  It can be a really frustrating process getting answers!  I know this does not pertain to this question but I was not sure where to post :)  I am sure you will find both of my answers.  -Zygy

[MyMelBgirl]

Hi there again.

I came across this article and wanted to share it with you.  If you do an internet search the title is  Bone growth options for spinal fusion. I found it on
Spine health www.spine-health. Com. Then look for Allograft/ cadaver bone from a tissue bank. I didn't realize there were more then 2 options (cadaver bone with BMP is only used for ALIF patients) ALIF is anterior lumbar inter body fusion is what I had. If they go in thru your back side (posterior) there are more then one option.  I'm not sure what approach they used on you   I'm really surprised that you didn't have a bone growth stimulator. I had to wear mine for several hours everyday for months. It was considered a standard of care when I had my surgery in 2008. I would ask why it wasn't available for you.  As far as your insurance they're probably different laws state to state about what they can and can't do. I would think they could increase your premium. Maybe look up the laws and see if they can legally send you to have this evaluation or call and attorney for some legal advice before actually go in for this appointment  3/4 hours. I do wish you the best.

[bekah0656]

I just worry if I said something wrong if that is a cause to remove my medical coverage? I'm probably just being crazy though,haha!! But really,3-4 hours with a Psychologist? My head hurts worse just thinking about it. ;)

[bekah0656]

Sorry I haven't been on here,I just have not been feeling well.  Kevin,to answer your question,no attorney. My husband was driving the car. There were no other vehicles present. The auto insurance has not found out about Chiari yet,but if they fight on paying,I will bring an attorney into it. I had no symptoms before the accident,so therefor,the accident brought them on. Even though they may try to say "I was born this way" it was the accident that brought the Chiari symptoms. They requested a psychologist appointment before the Chiari was found,so I don't know why it was requested. I was curious if anyone else that had auto insurance paying their medical bills had them do it. There is no cap on my medical bills,so they have to pay them for life. MyMelBgrl, I don't know? I don't think they can legally take it away? If they did,they would have a big legal fight. But I can't help but to feel like I'm walking into the lions den. No,they never used a bone growth stimulator on me,they also never used cadaver bone on me. He used morphogenic bone protein (artificial bone) which my PM Dr thinks my body reacted to.   My adrenal glands  are not working properly so it's either that or the steroid injections. I see the endocrinologist on the 14th.  I got a referral today from my Pain management Dr for a Chiari specialist,and a neurosurgeon that was voted as one of the Top Neurosurgeons in America,if he doesn't have any options for my spine,then I think I'm just out of luck.  Thank you so much for your comments,I appreciate it!

[MyMelBgirl]

I'm sorry that you've gone thru all of this. What an ordeal:(. I think your concern is valid. I would wonder if they are either going to up your insurance or not insure again after this is all over. When you had your fusion did you wear the bone growth stimulator? Sometimes fusions don't take so you know. I'm surprised they would remove the hardware but if your allergic I guess they would have to. They mostly use titanium. Is that what you had? I have plates and screws in mine and it is considered a failed lumbar fusion because like you, my pain didn't subside. I think it's actually worse now.   Is there a way they can go in and take out the cadaver bone and do a graft this time? I would think they could do this if it didn't take the first time. Most surgeons and patients prefer the cadaver bone because they don't have to put patients thru the added pain from the bone graft site. Anytime bone is cut into it's pretty darn painful. As far as your insurance I think I would have someone represent you that knows what may happen. If you don't want to do that I would at the very least consult with one and see what's said. I hope your pain eases and this gets settled before long. Good luck!

[Kalvin]

Sounds like you've been through a lot.I think your concern is valid, have you been having an Attorney represent you through all this, or have you been handling it yourself ?