Chance of getting an implant near zero now.

[Anonymous 3]

spent 3 hours on the phone today trying to get this taken care of. Final result? good luck finding a way. 90 minute wait to get to a person at United Healthcare. 1 phone clerk then supervisor. Answer: they will not pre-approve it because "it is against Missouri law to preauthorize a procedure". Called the Mo. department of insurance. Result: transfer me to Mo Atty General's office. Result: Transfer me back to Mo. division of insurance. Final answer both places: hire a lawyer if you want to find out if preauthorization is illegal in Mo. Called Milam's office and found out Phyllis is not who should have been dealing with this for the last 29 days but someone else who I am told has been messaged to contact me later this week. d

I just cannot believe the incredible rigamarole you have had to endure to tee this thing up I DO believe it but holy crap!! Is this a normal situation?

[alibaba]

I am aware of one person who went through the same crap until his brother set a sack of cash on his desk and told him just pay for it. Yesterday I hired an attorney to work on it. This is getting very very old and quite depressing. I called Milam's office and was told it was someone else who should have been dealing with the insurance company and she would call me within 48 hours. the 48 is past. d

[alibaba]

I called Vanderbilt AGAIN since I have never received the return call as promised and was told I will not receive a return call until they have a predetermination from the insurance company and are ready to schedule surgery. Since the insurance company insists that will never happen I can only assume that surgery will never be scheduled either unless I make arrangements to pay for all of it. Bank says no more money for medical expenses, that I am maxed out on the amount of money I qualify to borrow. I am not selling our home of 45 years for an implant. Trying to find a number for AMS. They have to have a specialist that helps with pre approvals since clearly it is not going to happen through Vandebilt. d

[Anonymous 3]

I'm very sorry to hear about all the trouble you have had. I don't live in the US so I can't really appreciate how your medical system works, but it sounds dreadful. I wish there was something I could do to help except offer condolances. I hope something works out for you someday!

[alibaba]

It is all about corporate profit for the insurance companies, drug companies and providers in this country. Friends in Costa Rica have better care at 1/6th the price we do. We have compared bills so I know that is an accurate figure. The preferred insurer in this country is still medicare. My wife waited 7 years to have a tumor removed,yesterday, because 3 hospitals insisted she wait till she was old enough for medicare to pay instead of the insurer she had. It is all about $$. I have read 3 articles in the last month discussing the U.S. pharmaceutical companies spend 50% of their revenue on advertising. How about cutting the ads and spending that on research or lowering the cost? The affordable care act did improve what UHC pays. Now I do not spend every day on the phone trying to get bills paid like before. Just select items plus insurance went down for 2 years. Thanks for your support. d

[alibaba]

AMS, now Boston Scientific, is going to ask Dr. Milam for permission to check into this and going to talk to my insurance company tomorrow. Lawyer still has found no such law in Missouri. BSCI rep says they never heard of an insurance company using this excuse before. Sent them a copy of the letter. State representative still has not responded to my request to discuss this as usual. Used to not be that way before we had a Republican super majority here. Democrats always returned my calls or answered themselves. d