I have been denied by BC/BS of CT for a two level lumbar disc replacement

lynn
Portland, CT
Heathcare Status: Employer Insured

I fell down my basement steps five years ago. As I went down I kept landing on my tail bone. At first I thought I was fine, but it turned out I had an annular tear in L4-L5, L5-S1,with a herniated disc at L5-S1. After doing PT, aqua therapy, accupunture, massage,epidurals, being adjusted, nothing was helping. I'm in a pain management clinic. I take morphine sulfate, Fentanyl lollipops for break thru pain, Neurontin for nerve pain,along with Cymbalta for nerve pain and depression. I have seen five Back surgeons, each one with the same answer. I need a two-level disc replacement. I have exhausted all my appeals with BC/BS. It is not medically necessary/investigational. My recent MRI showed the area had change for the worse. I don't think I need to tell you how bad the pain is. It's there 24/7. The surgery would cost 75,000. Over the past five years, my meds have cost the ins. co. 250,000, not to mention the costs of all the other treatments, x-rays, etc. I'm insured thru my husbands employer and we are at a complete lost with this. Does anyone have any suggestions as what to do now.

Submitted on October 17, 2009 - 8:55pm.