Severe spinal stenosis

Thank you for the reply. How is it working for you?

Thank you. What are my alternatives?

One alternative you apparently have but you haven’t said exactly what Medicare coverage you have. I have traditional Medicare with a Part B supplement and a Part D drug plan. Medications are the most problematic due to Pharmacy Benefit Managers who dictate prices and payments but you have to play their game. You could do a straight PPO plan but they can be difficult to figure out. I’ve been working with a Medicare group to get a plan that fits my needs and they can suss out the plan that fits your needs best and it costs you nothing. Sizeland Benefits Group at 810-775-5708 and ask for Jim Neil. Plan to have on hand your insurance info, your medical illnesses and your meds when you call. Now that open enrollment time is upon us it’s a great time to change.

koneil,
for me the necessary advantage is choosing my doctors. Radiological scans don't require prior approval. And, unless the doctor's office requires it, new medical appointment aren't subject to approval.
I had proton treatment several years ago. CA Proton was aggressive at getting approval for Medicare Advantage patients. But those patients waited anxiously, sometimes for months.

plan F is the best and is no longer available. plan G is available, same as F, just a 250 deductible, once that's paid i never pay a thing but my premium i have united health care AARP along with traditional medicare . Couldn't be happier.

Wow. I've always been on original Medicare, and more and more, doctors are refusing to take Medicare Advantage plans, so I wouldn't consider them. I have never had original Medicare refuse any surgery that a surgeon recommended.

The reimbursement rates are a problem (for doctors) with all Medicare--as is the paperwork-- but that is a different issue.

I agree we have part G on our original Medicare plan. I am really very happy with that also.

I have severe spinal stenosis, too. Keeping up with the exercises provided by my physical therapist, daily, and walking in a warming pool at the park district 3 times per week has very much benefitted me. The less you want to move, the more you should move. Water therapy is amazing.

Physicians who contract with Medicare to treat beneficiaries trade off higher pay for numerous patients to treat. Just like HMO’s did in their early years. The documentation issue for all healthcare is simple. The provider of care is required to adequately document supporting evidence that they provided the service. And all services provided by physicians and non-physician providers have supporting guidelines as to what is required of the service and supporting documentation. As an RN in my working years I performed Medicare compliance audits of physicians and hospital records.