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Medical Update - MJC - 05-22-2009 12:11 PM
I went Monday for my 2nd opinion with another neurosurgeon. He said I am not crazy......well I knew that already........lol. I have all the symptoms that are visible when you have blown out disc. The only problem is this. He stated level 4-5 definatey needs a fusion but he wants to take a closer look at level L5-S1. He wants to be sure that is is disc and not scar tissue. Therefore, I am scheduled for a Myelogram/CT Scan on Tuesday the 26th. Yes, more damn pain! As I was sitting there waiting for the girl to schedule my procedure I noticed there was a check from wc in the amount of $2,000. That sure seems like alot of money for a 2nd opinion. I have a friend of mine that works for a doctors office that is investigating how much they charge for 2nd opinions. This doc has done 2nd opinions for me in the past and has never charged that kind of money. In fact the past amounts were like not more than $300. I am pretty suspicious about that. What do some of you think about that type of fee? I'm feeling like I smell a fish and it is stinky. I have not notified my lawyer of the procedure or the amount wc paid this doc for his services. Please pray for me as I go through this Myelogram on Tuesday. My love to all of you and God Bless.
Cajun Hugsssssssssss,
MJC
RE: Medical Update - jayne - 05-22-2009 12:58 PM
second opinions from good Docs cost money........unfortunally bad docs do too...google the doc and see what is said about him.....good luck my friend
RE: Medical Update - Bad Boy Bad Boy - 05-22-2009 01:48 PM
MJC, all to most work comp doctor's get paid off a regulated Fee schedule, or accept the fee schedule from such insurance.
I would rather think, before you went there, this doctor had advised on the Myelogram/CT Scan, plus their narrative report, and was just paid for all that. While the hospital will then charge their bill seperate.
Either way, we haven't forgot to say prayers for you.
RE: Medical Update - kate - 05-22-2009 03:27 PM
Sometimes doctors charge more if the injury is older because of the number of medical records they need to review.
RE: Medical Update - Still in Limbo - 05-23-2009 02:17 PM
You'll be in My Prayers as You always are My Dear!! Please let Us know as soon as You can what they Find, and I Hope it's Good News!!
RE: Medical Update - red1030 - 05-23-2009 02:56 PM
MJC, I believe that Kate is absolutely correct. I would imagine that your history is very lengthy and skilled, therefore, there would be an extra fee for just doing a review. Caring for a patient includes more than just what we see when we go before a doctor. Good luck sweetie, prayers going up that this works out ok, and that your pain is minimal. Love Red
RE: Medical Update - RNvic - 05-24-2009 09:02 AM
MJC- prayers going up as I type. If you need to talk you know the number, just give me a call.
RE: Medical Update - vickinat - 05-24-2009 10:33 AM
MJC, extra prayers are going up, hopefully they will be able to find and correct what is giving you pain.
Love
Vickie
RE: Medical Update - MJC - 05-28-2009 08:24 AM
Sorry, I did not mean to abandon my own thread but my pain level has been so high and I had my Myelogram.CT Scan Tuesday.
First I want to thank everyone that responded and I appreciated all the input regarding the fee charges by the doctor. After reading some of the responses I have come to believe that the statements made about my long health history from this injury is most likely playing a big role in the fee. It is funn because when I saw the doc I did make a comment about how thick my chart was and this doc only gives the 2nd opinions. I guess we all get aggravated at time and just do not want to trust anything that WC does. I thank y'all for getting me back on t rack.
I did get my reports from the Myelo/CT Scan yesterday. It reads as follows:
Myelogram
Findings: In the lateral projection, smoothly marginated ventral defects are seen at L2-L3 and L3-L4 and slightly more prominently, L4-5. In frontal projection, there is medial retraction of the theca bilaterally at the L4-L5 level presumable reflecting epidural scar. The exiting nerve root on the left at L3-L5 may be slightly underfilled compared to it's made. Flexion.extension views were performed demonstrating no instability.
Impression: Smoothly marginated ventral extradural defects multiple segments, possible underfilling of the left L4-L5 nerve root. Please see accompanying CT Scan to follow.
CT Scan:
The space narrowing is present at L5-S1. Aortic atherosclerosis noted, Vertebral body heights alignment are anatomic.
L1-L2: Central canal and neural foramen are patent.
L2-L3: Mild annular buldging. Findings are slightly assymmetric along the right lower foraminal margin but not discrete disc herniation.
L3-L4: Left hemilaminectomy defect is present. There appears to be a superimposed broad based disc protrusion extending to the foraminal margins bilaterally. Combines with ligamentous hypertrophy on the right and some facet hypertrophy, there is a narrowing of the canal.
L4-L5: Bone deformity on the left suggesting priormicro laminectpmy. Centrally, there is significant canal stenosis with crowding of the nerve roots. Additionally, there is asymmetric mass effect upon the theca to the left midline at the proximal foramen. This is relatively focal and is suspicious for possible recurrent disc herniation to the left. Bilateral facet arthritis noted, findings are minamally more severe on the left than right.
L5-S1: Postoperative changes are noted. Annular bulging extends aling the right foraminal and extraforaminal margin. Left foramen is relatively well maintained.
Impression: Multilevel postoperative changes. Findings suspicious for a focal recurrent disc herniation to the left of midline at the L4-L5 level. Left foramen apprears narrowed more severely than the right. Central annular bulging with extension along the right proximal foramen also present at L5-S1/ Small right lateral disc herniation not excluded. Please correlate findings with clinical exam.
Ok all you reall smart folks, this is alot for me to understand. Limbo, BadBoy....please help if you can. I would so appreciate it. Love you guys.
Cajun Hugssssssssssss,
MJC
RE: Medical Update - Lilly - 05-28-2009 09:18 AM
Oh boy MJC....you have quite the list!
Hopefully the $2000 is well spent, and this doctor is your champion!
You are still in my prayers. Lilly