Just as I am on the cusp of a diagnosis, with everything except MS and Sarcoidosis ruled out, my insurance company has refused to do an MRI with contrast unless it goes to medical review, which will delay the test. They will do an MRI without contrast, which may miss critical information. My medical insurance expires November 30, and my husbands will be able to pick me up, but I may have to wait several weeks for coverage to start. The insurance company is supposed to call me for scheduling, and I am fairly confident the conversation is not going to go well. My issues: 1: My MD ordered a specific test based on my symptoms that cannot be appropriately performed without contrast. 2: How fair is it to ME (the patient) that if an innappropriate test is performed, and I need to get a contrast MRI later, that I should have to go through 2 MRI's instead of one. 3: If they have to put it to medical review, and it delays the test past my termination of coverage date, then they should still cover it, because the test was ordered for a date prior to termination of coverage. 4: If they refuse to cover the MRI and I need another one with contrast later, it will complicate matters with the new insurance. 5: Don't tell me that a medical review cannot be expidited! Grrrrrr!!! Thanks for letting me vent. The symptoms are starting to get to me, and I still can't use my hand well.

My PMD has been so wonderful to me about this, and doing the appropriate testing and follow up, it just figures that the insurance would give me a hard time. Here's one for Obama care....an insurance company cannot alter a test that has been ordered by your physician, but they can upgrade it to ensure a correct diagnosis. Food for thought.


Tam