Hi everyone,
It has been a long time since I have been here. Life just too complicated. I started here soon after my 1st surgery on 2000. Spinal fusion at L5S1. It was a very painful surgery- don't know how long it had been that bad since I had issues with my knees. It was after arthoscopic knee surgery, that the pain told me that I really had something wrong with my back - Ther doc gave me 2 choices: Have the surgery or get a wheelchair. (I alreasy had footdrop in my left foot.)
Fast forward to 2012 well here I am with a long list of surgeries, the majority of then orthopaedic. See list beow. The most recent surgery was cervical fusion C4 to C5 (C5 to C7 was already fused.
At the last visit we heard what Medicare was expecting the doctor and Patient to do. Even if there are obvious symptoms of a definate problem - such as MRI results, neuropathy in lower extremities and increased pain, Medicare may NOT agree to the surgery unless the patient is sent for epidural steroid injections and physicial therapy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then the Doc told us in addition, medicare is reviewing the patient's chart following a surgery and if their criteria is not met, they can take back from the doctors what they paid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (They accomplish this by deducting the amount from the next check or checks from Medicare.
Anyone else hear this??
Leslie
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