What will this mean - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

Hope4All · 07-17-2007, 08:33 AM

I just got off the phone with my insurance co. Appearantly my brain MRI was approved BUT my C-spine and T-spine were not approved.

I guess this should shed light on what ISN"T making me dizzy, but will this help rule out MS? Or IN?

My husband is on vacation so I'm in no rush to have this test or my EMG.....I waited on the EMG because I went to the neurologist concerning my dizziness and if the brain MRI wasn't approved I wouldn't have went for the EMG. I figured what will the emg say for my dizziness.

Since the brain came thru I guess I will do the EMG. Hope it doesn't hurt to much......If it does I will tell them to stop, I have a pretty good pain tolerance when needed, but naturally there is a point..lol

Hope

TXChica70 · 07-17-2007, 08:59 AM

If your brain MRI shows lesions, then this will help toward a dx of MS but there are other diseases out there that show lesions too. This is only the start. You'll need a LP, bloodwork, evoked potential testing, spine MRI. And, to make it even more complicated, about 5 to 10% of people with MS don't show lesions at all.

Can be a long frustrating process. Let's hope you are one of the lucky ones (lucky is relative here) who get a quick dx whether it be MS or something else.

MSNik · 07-17-2007, 02:03 PM

I am going to suggest that you call the doctor who ordered the tests and have him either call or write your insurance company a letter of necessity. All insurance companies TRY not to pay for tests, however its very simple, to rule out MS, you NEED to have these done....doctors are more familiar then you think with having to fight with insurance companies over getting their tests approved and paid for....

No doctor in the world is going to say NO to your request that they contact your insurance company.....the big headache is going to be keeping track of WHO you TALK to and WHAT the status is, because it will change overnight, as soon as they have the letter of necessity. You abo****ely Have to have a Cspine done- thats more important than anything else to rule out MS, or find out where the legions are. The Tspine is not quite as important at ths time, but should be done in the future...the EMG isnt the end of the world- Ive had it more than once..it only hurts like a bee sting, nothing too traumatic. It ends as soon as they stop the testing in that area. ITs over quick. As TXchica said, 5-10% of patients DO NOT SHOW any legions at all, and its possible that you WILL need a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) most of us have had it to confirm MS or rule out LYME- thats something that you HAVE TO HAVE DONE if your doc orders it...

Dont let this insurance company get away with NO for an answer...call your doctor. Im betting any amount of money they already have a letter of necessity form, they just have to fill in the blanks with your name and what tests they need approved and why..
Good luck..and remember, MS is a long tricky process sometimes, you HAVE to take control NOW and not later....this is NOT something you should be arguing about with anyone, least of alll your insurance company. BElieve me, this is a daily thing for them...they will give in, they just want you to work for it.
Good luck.
Nikki

Hope4All · 07-18-2007, 05:13 AM

I did call the Dr's office. The girl pulled my record and said someone is still working on it....she said that they are appealing it with my insurance Co. I guess thats why they never called me to make an appt for my Brain MRI.....they are fighting for all of it first.

So Im atleast glad that they are looking out for my best interest.

I think I'm going in this morning to have my EMG, I want it over with lol

*UPDATE* Went to the hospital, was told there I needed an appt THEN told to go upstairs, talked to a DR there, he said did the Dr say he wanted me or him to do it? He said they normally tell you, then the girl said that the EMG normally (with my insurance) needed to be authorized, the girl at my Neuro's office told me it didn't have to be. Long story short it didn't get done today!!!!!!!!! I did like the Dr I was talking to, I hope he is the one to give me the EMG! He answered his own phones and tried calling my Drs office himself!!!!!!! He wasn't the usual uptight Dr type.

Hope