14 weeks post core decompression
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7 weeks post core decompressionI eluded to the great challenges of health insurance reimbursement early, but I figured now is as good a time as any to vent about it once again. In order to undergo hyperbaric oxygen treatments (without seriously going into debt..) I am currently splitting my time between Salt Lake City, UT and Pocatello, ID... which is around 5.5-6 hour round trip voyage depending on the weather. As you can imagine, it has made it extremely challenging to continue working and fulfilling my responsibilities of the residency program. I go up to Idaho for early morning treatment Mondays and drive back to SLC to work afternoon/evening. I then stay in SLC and work 7:30-7:30 pm on Tuesday. I spend the next two full days in ID for treatment and into Friday morning, then drive back to SLC to work afternoon/evening and then work all day Saturday. This schedule has been absolutely nuts, but I know that it will be worth it in the end. I don't think I could ever forgive myself if I didn't do everything in my power to save this hip. We've already been through so much together- no way I'm giving up on her yet! It's incredibly frustrating that my insurance company will not pay for these treatments- especially when there is such good evidence for its use- and is more willing to accept conversion to total hip arthroplasty...
4 Weeks post core decompressionWell, I'm back in Colorado for the week to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with my family and I couldn't be more excited. It's been a stressful couple weeks since returning to work and I am more than ready for an extended break. As you know, I began hyperbaric treatments in Colorado the week after surgery. I had an evaluation in Salt Lake City to transfer care over to their facility upon my return, but ran into some issues regarding insurance authorization. In Colorado, I underwent treatment at a facility that was cash pay only, so there was no need for insurance authorization prior to treatment. Unfortunately, it took over 2 weeks for Anthem to make a decision for coverage an authorization request submitted by my physician in Salt Lake City- a request that was described as "limb saving" and "urgent." Even worse, when they finally did make a decision, they ended up denying coverage because my case is "idiopathic." Fun fact: if I had radiation induced avascular necrosis, they would cover these treatments. Welcome to the horrendous world of health care and privatized health insurance...
Since the facility in Colorado does not accept Medicare, they are able to charge a significantly reduced rate for patients who elect to pay cash for their services. You see, by law, hospitals and clinics who are Medicare providers are not able to adjust cost of service on an individual basis. My treatments in Salt Lake City would then cost $750.00 PER TREATMENT based on the Medicare rate... whereas in Colorado, I am able to undergo treatment for about $125.00 a session. And when you need 40-60 of these treatments, that is a HUGE difference. So I am taking full advantage of being back in Colorado to squeeze in as many of these treatments as possible! Earlier this week, I met a woman who was undergoing hyperbaric treatment for avascular necrosis in her ankle. She had Stage IV AVN (I repeat... stage FOUR) resulting from long term immunosuppression therapy and has seen tremendous improvement with hyperbaric treatment. She shared with me her MRI images below. I was in complete awe. The changes you see below are monumental--in fact, they are changes that I didn't even think could be possible. Most literature that I've read says that Stage IV AVN almost always requires a total joint replacement because the disease progression is too great. I mean, these people aren't even candidates for core decompression like I had because the bone is too weak and damaged. AND LOOK AT THOSE IMAGES! She has had about 100 treatments... which is a lot don't get me wrong... but being able to keep her own ankle joint is worth all that and so much more. I am so thankful to have crossed paths with this woman and to have made a new friend in this process. My life is going to get a little crazy these next couple months trying to get all these treatments in, but seeing these images and hearing her story was just what I needed to reignite my energy to keep on fighting this thing. 4 days post core decompression
I was so fortunate to be under the care of such an amazing team at Rocky Mountain Institute for Hyperbaric Medicine. Everyone was so kind and you could tell just how passionate they all were about their work. I was sad that I would only be able to do 4 of my 40 treatments with them, but I did have to return to Utah at some point :)
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AuthorJust a physical therapist and her journey being on the other side rehab. Categories
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