Hi, My name is Phyllis B. and this is my first time participating in this venue. I am 66 yrs old and in need of revision surgery. My original surgery (anterior & posterior fusion with Harrington rod was in 1989. I've experienced a pretty good life until the last few years when I began to notice numbness, weakness, heavyness in my leg. I've since had a laminectomy & several injections to various joints/nerves to no avail. I also just underwent a cervical laminectomy which took me 3 mos to recover from. This brings me to a suggestion that I see Dr. Boachi in New York at the hospital for special surgeries. He told me that I needed revision surgery including removing a part of my original fusion and then continuing it down to the sacrum. We were told that he does not participate with any insurance and that his fee must be paid in full prior to the surgery. I am wondering if anyone has come across this situation and do you know of any grants or foundations that would help subsidize the $80 or $90.000 amount. Also, does anyone know of any other spine surgeons in or around the East coast who does this type of surgery & would participate with insurance. I am hoping that someone who reads this will have some suggestions. Thanks, Phyllis
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Hi Phyllis...
It doesn't get much better than Dr. Boachie, but Frank Rand in Boston also does a lot of revision surgery.
http://www.spineuniverse.com/mdpage.php?doctorID=320
I suspect that you already know this, but thought I'd say it anyway. Although Dr. Boachie doesn't accept insurance reimbursement, most plans allow you to go out of network, and they will pay something like 80% of reasonable fees. Unfortunately, that could still amount to a lot of $.
Best of luck.
Regards,
LindaNever argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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Hi Linda, Thanks for responding. Dr. Boachi does not participate in any way with Medicare. Therefore, there could be no submission & further, our secondary would not reimburse because of the non payment from Medicare. I am not aware of the Dr. you mentioned. Is he located in the Boston area? I plan to contact some additional names given me (2 from Dr. Boachi's office staff) & others up and down the East Coast. Have you had contact with Dr. B? Again thanks for responding, Phyllis
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Welcome to the forum Phyllis. You and I share the same age. I had my original scoli/kyphos surgery in August of 2003 and I've been playing games with it ever since. It's not the doctor's fault, but rather my age, my osteoporosis, and whatever else.
I'm going to give you the names of two doctors I've used throughout the past five years when all of this started. A lot of people travel if it means getting to a good physician who takes their insurance... it's pretty common and the staff has people who help you with your arrangements, etc. First one is Dr. Alexis Shelokov who did my first surgery. He heads up the Baylor Scoliosis Center located just north of Dallas in Plano.
http://orthodoc.aaos.org/shelokov/
There was a period of time that Dr. Shelokov was having a controversy with United Healthcare and I got a letter telling me I had to find a new insurance or a new doctor, so I found Dr. Robert Viere, who has great credentials and is an excellent surgeon. He operates at the Baylor Hospital in downtown Dallas but the good of that is since the hospital is so huge, they have a hotel which is for the patients and their families. He's an excellent surgeon and has a sweet manner about himself.
http://www.ntspinecare.com/viere.htm
On each website, you'll get a lot of information. I see that Dr. Shelokov is accepting UnitedHealthcare again!! But I've been happy with Viere.
There's a doctor in Armarillo who is well thought of. Someone is going to have to tell you his name & website because I can't remember his name.
It's that *age* thing again!! haha Hope you get to feeling better and get proper care very quickly.
Hope this helps. There are many on the forum who travel.Diane in Dallas
Adult Ideopatic Scoliosis (37%) and Kyphosis (65%)
Surgery #1 8/4/03 - Dr. Shelokov, Plano
Surg #2 12/8/03 - Dr. Shelokov, Plano
Surg #3 1/10/05 - Dr. Shelokov, Plano
Surg #4 9/10/07 - Dr. Viere, Dallas
Surg #5 1/28/08 - Dr. Viere, Dallas
Surg #6 4/27/09 - Dr. Viere, Dallas
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Hi Phyllis,
Dr. Rand did my surgery and I have had a very good outcome. Still some nerve pain in mostly my right leg. Of course it wasn't revision surgery, but I know he does do revisions. Dr Rand is very sweet and kind and observant and concerned about your total health. I received excellent care at the Baptist Hospital and the Cooledge House rehab hospital. Dr. Rand does take Medicare patients. My total out of pocket costs were between $2000.00 and $3000.00. I have a Medicare Advantage Plan PPO and neither Dr. Rand or the Baptist were in my network so it cost me a little more but was worth it.
I know that people from all over the country come to the Baptist for Orthopedic surgery. Their post surgery infection rate is extremely low which I feel is very important. Where along the East coast are you located? If I can answer any more questions you might have about Dr. Rand or my surgery, don't hesitate to ask.
SallyDiagnosed with severe lumbar scoliosis at age 65.
Posterior Fusion L2-S1 on 12/4/2007. age 67
Anterior Fusion L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1 on 12/19/2007
Additional bone removed to decompress right side of L3-L4 & L4-L5 on 4/19/2010
New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA
Dr. Frank F. Rands735.photobucket.com/albums/ww360/butterflyfive/
"In God We Trust" Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.
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Hi Phyllis
Another doctor in the East Coast you might want to consult is Dr. Paul Glazer. He's at the Beth Israel Deacon Medical Ctr in Boston.
http://www.spineuniverse.com/mdpage.php?doctorID=852
Best of luck
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Dr. Thomas Errico
Hi Phyllis - Dr. Errico from NYU in Manhattan is also a revision surgeon. He does take insurance. Good luck. Lynn1981 Surgery with Harrington Rod; fused from T2 to L3 - Dr.Keim (at 26 years old)
2000 Partial Rod Removal
2001 Right Scapular Resection
12/07/2010 Surgical stabilization L3 through sacrum with revision harrington rod instrumentation, interbody fusion and pre-sacral fusion L5-S1 - Dr. Boachie (at 56 years old)
06/11/14 - Posterior cervical fusion C3 - T3 (Mountaineer System) due to severely arthritic joints - Dr. Patrick O'Leary (at age 59)
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Originally posted by Phyllis Bootel View PostHi Linda, Thanks for responding. Dr. Boachi does not participate in any way with Medicare. Therefore, there could be no submission & further, our secondary would not reimburse because of the non payment from Medicare. I am not aware of the Dr. you mentioned. Is he located in the Boston area? I plan to contact some additional names given me (2 from Dr. Boachi's office staff) & others up and down the East Coast. Have you had contact with Dr. B? Again thanks for responding, Phyllis
Regards,
LindaNever argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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Originally posted by Jacque's Mom View PostHi Phyllis - Dr. Errico from NYU in Manhattan is also a revision surgeon. He does take insurance. Good luck. Lynn
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Originally posted by Phyllis Bootel View PostThanks for responding Jacque's Mom. Are you having difficulties also??? Is that why you will be seeing Dr. Boachi tomorrow? Have you seen Dr. Errico in the past? If there were no financial issues I wouldn't hesitate to let Dr. B do my revision surgery. Again thanks for the response and good luck w/ur visit. Please let me know what your current problems are. Phyllis
UPDATE: Having my second shot, next Tuesday - thankfully!!Last edited by Jacque's Mom; 09-29-2008, 10:10 AM.1981 Surgery with Harrington Rod; fused from T2 to L3 - Dr.Keim (at 26 years old)
2000 Partial Rod Removal
2001 Right Scapular Resection
12/07/2010 Surgical stabilization L3 through sacrum with revision harrington rod instrumentation, interbody fusion and pre-sacral fusion L5-S1 - Dr. Boachie (at 56 years old)
06/11/14 - Posterior cervical fusion C3 - T3 (Mountaineer System) due to severely arthritic joints - Dr. Patrick O'Leary (at age 59)
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Dr. Boachie did my surgery, but I also met with Dr. Shelakov and Dr. Lenke in St. Louis. Lenke is another well-respected revisionist. I would have been happy with Dr. Lenke or Dr. Shelakov.
Good luck, Phyllis!Ginger Woolley
Oct 2018, L3 - S1, Anterior & Posterior, Dr Sigurd Berven, UCSF, San Francisco
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May 2008, T4 - L3, Dr. Ohenaba Boachie, Hospital for Special Surgery, NYC
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Sept 1967, T4 - T 11, without instrumentation, Dr Thomas Brown, Stanford
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Another MD in NYC
Phyllis,
Eight months ago I had revision surgery with Dr. Thomas Errico who is the Director of spinal surgery at NYU-Hosp for Joint Diseases. My surgery was a success and I am extremely happy with my outcome and the treatment I received. Dr. Errico does participate with some insurance programs; you should investigate this. I also know someone who had successful revision at NYU-HJD with a Dr. John Bendo and they also accept some insurance plans. I assume you are in the NYC area, so rather than travel to Boston or elsewhere, you might want to check with the spine doctors at NYU.
Hope this helps!
Donna
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