Originally Posted by lal209

Hey, I feel your pain and frustration -- one of my surgeries was almost delayed two days before the scheduled date because of an insurance glitch and I was at wits end since I'd already made all the arrangements and was mentally there. Fortunately it was worked out an proceded as scheduled. I don't know if this will help at all, but my neurosurgeon required a new MRI before he scheduled my thoracic surgery because the previous MRI was 7 mos old (and he was the one that ordered the first one). When I asked him why it was needed, he said that they require them to be less than 6 mos for insurance purposes and also to be somewhat sure that changes haven't occurred that would affect what procedures they do where. Based on my new MRI, he did alter his approach slightly and because of that the insurance pre-approval had to be modified. I know that doesn't help you deal with the on-going pain, but maybe it'll help a little with the frustration. You wouldn't want them to find out after the surgery that you actually needed work at the L3-S1 levels instead of the L4-S1. It's too bad though that he wouldn't go ahead and see you and set a tentative date so you have something to work with. I hope you get this worked out fast and the pain gets better! Take care!