Update: waiting for insurance approval

[jeric]

Hi all!

My appt. with the doctor who does the ONS was supposed to be on the 19th of Feb., but through my regular calls to check for cancellations I was able to get in to be seen today!!

I met with the resident first and then the dr, both were very nice. When the resident was talking to be it was obvious that she had studied my chart and knew why I was there and what I had been through... that never happens usually I just end up telling my story over and over!

They decided that the ONS was a good option for me... YAY!!!

Then we discussed the subject of insurance coverage....yikes!!  She told me the cost of the trial and then the permant implant would be around $95,000.... YIKES!!!!!

So we went through all of the treatments I have tried in the past for my headaches:
Nortriptyline
Carbamazepine
Lamicital
Botox
Wisdom teeth removed
Vicodin
Baclofen
Soma
Darvocet
Oxycodone
Theraputic Occipital Nerve Block
Melatonin

They also made note of the problems the Indomethacin has created... specifically the stomach ulcer.

When I told them this list... I mentioned that I felt like I was forgetting something but they said that they probably had mroe than enough. lol

So they are going to handle the insurance company and ask for coverage... they did tell me that I had a very good insurance that is great about covering this and all the treatments that I have tried are in my favor for them approving this. :-) so thats good!

In the meantime I am going to meet with the representive to learn about the stimulator and how it works. Then as soon as I have insurance coverage they will schedule me to have the trial for a week and if it works I will need to wait 1 month and then have the permant stimulator put in. :)

They said insurace approval could take a couple days to longer and to call back if I haven't heard from them in 4 weeks. So more waiting now, but there is hope this time.

I am VERY happy with the way I was treated and the level of support I received from everyone at the office and am so excited to be moving foward and hope that my isurance company will cover it!! Keeping my fingers crossed!

[jeric]

Thanks Tuck!

I still haven't heard from insurance but it's early still. Next week Thursday I'm meeting with the rep. to learn how everything works and I can ask him questions cause when the dr asked me if I had any questions I was too excited to think of any... but as soon as I left the office I started to think about it all I had a bunch! :-)

[Tuckamore]

Hi Jerci,

Thank you for keeping us informed of your progress. I am so glad that things went well for you at your appointment. It is wonderful when you are treated with respect and understanding. I knew the SCS was very expensive but not that expensive! But I have also been told that in many instances it is worth every penny.

I am excited for you. Please continue to update us and let us know how this all works out for you. Great news. Peace, Tuck