Laser Spine Surgery And Insurance Posted: 01-01-08 09:15am
Hello everyone. I am scheduled to have
surgery at the Laser Pine Institute in
Tampa Florida in mid January. I have a
pinched nerve at C7 that causes pain and
numbness in my left arm and hand. From
what I have read they are a top notch
facility. What I am concerned about is the
fact that I have to give them $30K upfront
and hope that my Humana EPO insurance
reimburses me as L.S.I does not contract
with any insurance company.
My questions are has anyone underwent
surgery at this facility with Humana
insurance and how did you fare? Secondly
has anyone else had laser spine surgery
anywhere else in the U.S. that contract
with Humana?
Thanking you in advance,
Art
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RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 909
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Posted: 01-01-08 09:50am
Hello Scooter,
Welcome to this forum.
When I contacted LSI I was told that they
would submit their bills to Medicare and
then on to my private insurance company.
They told me that my upfront costs would
be $12,900. No, I have not had surgery at
LSI at this time.
Yes, I know that there seems to be a lot a
variation, and that my be because of
differences between LSI and the insurance
company that one has.
Have you checked into the Bonati Instutute
in Florida to see what upfront charges
they would have if they did the laser
surgery?
May I suggest that you also post your
above post on the Laser Spine Surgery
thread. I know that some who post there
have had surgery at LSI and some at
Bonati. They would be able to give you
first hand information.
Take care. Hope to see you at the LSS
thread.
RichT
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Scooter0229
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 5
Thank You Posted: 01-02-08 09:50am
Just wanted to thank you for the info.
Art
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RichT
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Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 909
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Posted: 01-05-08 09:06am
Hello Art,
May I ask the scheduled date of your
surgery at LSI this month?
RichT
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Scooter0229
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 5
Lsi Surgery Posted: 01-06-08 17:38pm
It was scheduled for 1/18/07 but seeing
how Humana has flip flopped between we
will pay 100% and we won't pay anything
several times, I cancelled the surgery.
Friday I learned that if the surgeon can
justify the surgery in writing that Humana
will authorize a one time exception. At
this point its just wait and see what the
surgeon is willing to put in writing and
what Humana wants to hear.
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RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 909
Thanks: 21
Thanked:0
Posted: 01-06-08 19:12pm
Hello Art,
You are proceeding wisely.
AND make sure you get ALL agreements from
LSI and Humana in WRITING!! You will need
a copy for your own files.
Be very careful with both. What happens
if when you get to LSI and they take more
X-rays, etc. followed with their own exams
and THEN decide they need to add/change
what they said they were going to do?
Will Humana accept the changes and still
cover you or not. That is a very
important issue to which you will need
written answers from both parties. I have
"seen" this happen and it can be pure H
for the patient.
