Ok dear friends, I have added another expert in my quest to the next step of treatment...
Dr. Erick Forrest, who is also spoken highly of on this forum...I have attached the letter I sent to him. The letters to the other 2 docs were similar except I had a time deadline via my insurance authorization codes...
Here is where I am at in this process...
>I have heard back from KImberly at Dr. Samji office- she has emailed me medical history forms and a ABN form (Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage) to sign before the doctor will take the next step to review my scans and then an initial phone consult...here is what she wrote me:
1. We need you to call 408-■■■■ and ask for Val (just a one time registration with her) to input demographics and insurance.
2. Attached is an ABN that needs to be signed and emailed back or faxed to me408-■■■■ Attn:Kim
-The ABN is for medical review/medical management to review your file without seeing you; this fee (600$) includes: Review of entire medical record, Phone consult with Dr Samji, and a medical plan for you going forward for either surgery or other options. Even though it says "Medicare" on the form we will try to bill your personal insuracnce. Once I receive your signed ABN, then I will need you to send me any and all medical records that you wish for him to review. Once he reviews your file and you are a candidate for surgery we can coordinate dates for you to fly in (usually on a Thursday, Friday Pre Op, Monday Surgery and that Friday Post Op and then you can return home) pending you are healing well.
> I have not heard anything back yet from Dr. Cognetti office
> I spoke in length with Joseph at Dr. Forrest office, he was so nice and was wondering why so many patients from so many parts of the globe were calling and coming to Columbus...I told him of this forum and sent him links to check us out..."I said, be nice, cuz we all got each others' backs here and we TELL ALL!!" LOL Joe said he had not gotten my letter or scans yet, as the mail goes to a central location at the University of Ohio and he picks mail up on Tues, SOooo, hopefully tomorrow I will get a call or e-mail from him on my next step...This location would be the closest for me to travel. I told Joe I was teaching in the Chicago area the first part of March, and it would only be a 6 hour drive over if he could get me in for an initial consult...he said the calendar looked good for that opportunity- so WE"LL SEE...
I will share what I can and THANKS again to all of you here to be able to SHARE with- I appreciate your good wishes, arty
ps;, btw, I am getting awesome support from my local pcp & his nurse..they have written letters/made calls to insurance co., etc to help with the out-of-town approvals...endured my phone calls...
395-Eagle_DrForrest_.jpg (180 KB)
396-Eagle_DrForrest_.pdf (4.39 MB)
