insurance

[lor]

I'm wondering about surgery. When I had all the tests for my VNS the Dr found the bad area in my brain. He gave me a choice of VNS or surgery. I was afraid of 'brain surgery' so got the VNS. My VNS doesn't work for me. I told my DH I am interested in surgery then he said he doesn't know if our insurance will pay for "experimental surgery". I told him"Thats not experimental, they know the location even". He said we'd have to call Paramount insurance to see if they'd cover it. Do you say/think so?

[jingle]

lor, it will not cost anything or be any trouble to call the insurance co. and
learn their policy about surgery.I've had two "brain" surgeries in the past two years, covered by a different HMO (GHP and Tri-Care. BlueCross-BlueShield was involved in the start) and have had great coverage.

The surgeries have been worth anything -- anything.

[Marie]

It is covered certainly by most standard insurance policies. It costs the insurance company less than the VEEG monitoring costs.

I strongly recommend pursuing surgery if you are considered a candidate.

Marie

[Porkette]

Hi lor,
Each time I had brain surgery my ins. co. covered the surgery. I got a note from my neurosurgeon stating that this would help if not stop my E. and sent a copy of the note to the ins. co. and requested a written statement from the ins. co. that they would cover me 100%. Each time everything went well.
Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

[jersey]

Hi lor, When I had my surgery, They could not find a "bad part" of my brain to operate on. My brain looks great on (mri's ?). It was only due to the results of certain tests that showed some type of seizure activity, that convinced the dr. that surgery was an option. I checked all this out with my ins. and I was covered completely. You're loosing nothing by asking your ins. (and then getting it in writing). Good Luck. Jersey

[bella0809]

Lor,

Ask your nsurgeon as well. S/he deals with insurance companies all the time and maybe has dealt with yours before.

I had the surgery. It was very successful and I've been sz free for 2 years (after 36 years). It's definitely worth looking into.

B

[dow4]

Lor, I agree with the others, you should certainly check it out. Brain surgery is pretty high tech now. In most cases brain surgery would be covered and you would pay about 20% of the allowed charge.

Also, check to see what your out of pocket max is, once you hit that the insurance should pay 100%.

[lor]

Hi, thanx for answering.
You know what? I didn't say something. A few yrs ago I got all (or most) of the tests & the Dr saw something on my right temporal lobe. He gave me the choice of VNS or surgery. I chose VNS. VNS isn't working good & it's just at 2, when my Dr turns it higher it bothers me. (Did I write this someplace else? If so, I'm sorry for repeating it.)

[jingle]

lor -- I sure wish you'd go ahead and look into surgery now. Like I said, I've had it done twice (TWICE!!) with regular HMO insurances and haven't paid one dime.
I know it's scary. I understand that. But it won't be terrible to simply look into. Check it out ..... OK?

[Toad]

(((Lor))),

just want to echo the others; surgery might be the right option.

all the best

todd