Hi Tammey,

That sort of frustration is what all of us could do without; but the reality is that insurance companies don't care about what stresses their policies cause...or the health of their clients. The bottom line is their primary concern .

I'm not absolutely certain on this, but if I remember correctly, the MRI without contrast will reveal sclerotic lesions and abnormalities just fine. The contrast is used to identify/highlight the more active lesions. Thus, an MRI without contrast should provide enough information for a potential diagnosis.

Although Obama care might provide care to more people who up until now did not have insurance, it might also end up producing longer wait times for diagnostics and specialist care due to more people accessing services; much like the situation that we have in Canada.
The typical wait for 'elective' (non-emergency) MRIs in Canada is 5-10 months and the wait to see a specialist can be as long as 2 years. Even to have a fracture surgically pinned can involve a 4-6 day wait .

I waited for 9 months to see my MS neuro specialist for the current bout of this stupid disease and will have waited for 7 months by the time I get the MRI he ordered back in May. Other diagnostic tests that were also ordered in May required waits of 3-6 months to have done.
After the MRI gets done in December, provided that appointment doesn't get bumped to accommodate an emergency for someone else, it will be another 3 months of waiting before I can meet with the neuro to discuss options and potentials for managment.

Over the past 30 years, while waiting for tests and to see specialists, I've learned to deal with symptoms pretty much on my own through patience; and with whatever help I can get through my PCP, naturopaths, chiropractors, physiotherapists etc.
It sucks, but that is the reality.

I wish you an easy path and hope that your current insurance reconsiders. You put forward very good supporting arguments to achieve that end .

With love, Erika