I too dont think its right what the insurances and medicare does to patients by refusing to pay which actually in the long run especially if it makes them pain free its actually cheaper. I have a friend where her insurance would rather pay for 2 new stimulaters that cost over 35,000 each one so a total 70,000 each 2 years plus the cost for the hospital stay which is 24,000 a time, then pay for 1500 dollars a month. I know without the ketamine I would be going through more meds faster and in hospitals more the cost would be endless. Before the ketamine my insurance was having to probably pay around 35,000-40,000 a month due to hospital stays, intensive care units, ambulances, and meds. Now its under 4,000

I dont know why some insurances and medicare gives some patients harder times then others either, like several women getting the infusions faught for 8-10 years before getting accepted. While like me they accpeted me in 2 days. My doctor only charged me 1,000 a treatment but my insurance asked for an idamised(not sure on spelling?) bill where it shows exactly what every bit cost from the meds, nurse, all the way to the flushes for the iv's which they found out came to a total of 2,500, but my doctor said he still will only charge 1,000 but because that paper said it cost more they went and payed the full amount without even batting an eye. So if my insurance could do that for me without a care and dont for others. I dont think its right and really hurts me to see others in so much pain and basically causing them to get worse.If only there was a way to share the insurances( Iam kidding of course). I did see on Aetna ketamine infusions were written into their protocal but not sure how they are.

My carrier is Blue cross blue shield of Alaska.
Others who's insurances have accepted the treatments who are they with?

Mine is with BC and I do understand why it costs so much. Ketamine is a cheap drug but when getting infusions you need constant supervision and that costs money. In addition, you are taking up a bed for quite sometime and businesswise, that costs money. But ketamine is still much cheaper than the SCS and all that is involved with that. Much cheaper.

With FDA approval it is getting harder and harder for insurance to deny this for a pain condition.

I would really advise Barby Ingle's books, especially the latest ReMission Possible, as it gives you a lot of knowledge about ketamine which you can use when discussing with both doctors and insurance companies.

Liz

Hello from fla. In this state, I could not find a pain specialist who took medicaid. They only take medicare for the most part. I was lucky he agreed to treat me even though he does not accept medicaid. He gave me the two katamine infussions for free. If you cannot afford the infussions, ask your doctor for help. I found a doctor here that put me first over the acencies and the need of money. They are indeed that $1,000 and not everybody can afford that. Some drs. that specialize in pain set asside some portion of their practice to help those that need. You have to ask, there is compassion out there. ginnie Katimine did work for me, but the underlying problem persisted. I had the surgery C3-7 last fall. good luck to all. ginnie

You are truly blessed, don't ever take such kindness for granted -there are NO doctors here that put patients before $....my doctors in RI have made $26,400 off of the 16 infusions they have performed to date, but will terminate me in a NY minute when my WC authorization expires...it totally sucks. as for helping others, forget it. Not happening, except for their first 2infusions when they were just starting out (for which they will expect accolades forever...). It's all about $$. my back-up is my original K doctor in NJ, DR. Getson, who has treated me when I've had no authorization from the courts. He's 300+ miles away.

Even developing a trusting relationship with doctors is difficult when you know that you are just a dollar sign to them, nothing more.

thanks for the post, Sandy

More and more doctors are using ketamine every month. My daughter got it from a doctor who is NOT on any list. She went in through the ER a few times and was admitted. When the resident called me about it (she is away at college), I told him the only thing I thought might help were ketamine infusions. They were aware of ketamine and took the time to investigate and ultimately ended up giving it to her twice. Sometimes you just have to keep working it. And remember, she was an ER admit. Insurance had to take care of whatever the doctor ordered. Don't know all insurance coverages but this was BC.

Thanks so much! The information you have provided in this thread has truly been so encouraging, I have many RSD friends here in RI who have not been able to afford to pay our ONLY provider for hundreds of miles the $1,500-$2,000 required for each infusion (really - who CAN afford that??) Most of my friends are insured, but the insurance companies claim they won't cover ketamine infusions for RSD. I am covered by WC, but my authorizations periodically expire and then my doc cuts me off from any services until the court approves a new contract. I am only 4 weeks away from termination now. But I also have United Healthcare through my job and wouldn't have to worry if I could just use that.

Take care. BTW, where do you live? And where does your daughter go to school?

XOXOX Sandy

[Dear Sandy, I am extremely grateful to this pain specilist. I fully realize that he is one of the rare breed, who put patients above the all mighty dollar. [I] have hugged him several times, mush to his embarasment. He also knew that my neck situation was terrible, from the x-ray during the placing of the katamine infussion. They can see where they are placing the infusion. He was the dr. who insisted I get further evaluation because it was so bad. So this dr. saved me twice, once from the pain, and then to make me better with surgery. He has trusted me, and not once will I ever abuse the meds he gives because I believe he understands the pain. My life is better because of two great drs. I hope everybody on this site can find the doctors who have both real people skills, and the ability to help with pain. I thank God daily, as I have read many posts where the doctors are in it for the bucks. If anyone is in fla. boy do I have a dr. to send you to! ginnie

Sandy,
We are in Va and use Dr Chin at GW in DC for infusions for outpatient. The doctor in NY has asked me not to release any info on their program until they are ready to do it 'officially'. They are picking a few select patients to try to work out the kinks.

Get the list from Jim Broatch at www.rsdsa.org and join all the RSD groups on FB. Ketamine Klub, RSDSA and Barby Ingle are three that I can name right off the bat.

And I would order Barby Ingle's books as well. ReMission Possible talks specifically about insurance, the FDA and ketamine. It is available on Amazon or Power of Pain Foundation. (I don't get a commission even though this sounds like an infomercial!!!)

I get outpatient 4 hour infusions, at a rate now of anywhere between 1500mg-2000mg, I've been getting them for almost 3 years now. I'm at a point where they last about 4-6 months of no pain at all. After the infusion I take booster pills for 2 weeks twice a day. I see Dr. Leverone in los angeles, and he's even been so kind as to find a hospital up here in Santa Cruz county that will allow him to do them up here so I don't have to travel to LA.