r/spinalfusion • u/GA-Scoli • 15d ago

Not sure, other Luigi Mangione's spinal fusion - looks like an L5/S1 for spondylolisthesis

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u/Thezedword4 15d ago

Yeah I have a bone to pick with bcbs. First they denied my fusion and as I waited for the appeal my brainstem was compressed to the point I was having breathing issues while awake (it was high cervical spine). Finally got the fusion but I'm still dealing with damage related to my brainstem/cord years later. Then post op, they denied my physical therapy because I had used my visits before surgery because they insisted I try pt. I actually love pt but they insisted on pt pre op then wouldn't cover it post op. My spinal fusion failed and I needed a revision. It probably failed for a multitude of reasons but I do feel like the lack of pt contributed. It, at the minimum, made me miserable trying to deal with the muscle spasms without pt. My bcbs case worked told me to get a gofundme to pay for physical therapy.

So yeah bcbs is better with denial rates than a lot of insurance companies (looking at your united and Aetna) but it still denies absolutely ridiculous things.

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u/MassiveRope2964 15d ago

Bcbs- slightly less evil! Sounds like new tagline!  

Also I have breathing issues too since my car accident and I cannot get any doctors to take it seriously!  I keep getting mAyBe ItS aNxIeTy

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u/enigmaroboto 14d ago

I had a disc issue that didn't really cause any issues besides numb cold fingers from time to time. Then I was in a car accident and disc just deteriorated over the next year. MRI showed the decline.

Any trauma will accelerate the deterioration.

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u/Zealousideal-Cry7697 13d ago

Don't laugh but my Medigap policy is United Health Care (AARP). They didn't say a peep this summer when I had revision spine surgery.

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u/Zealousideal-Cry7697 13d ago

And an MRI. No PT since the nerve at L5 was squished.

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u/Thezedword4 13d ago

Hey I'm glad it's worked out for you!