Magna Care insurance

[jlkelectric]

Just diagnosed with acoustic neuroma, having trouble finding a "specialist" for treatment/surgery that accepts this insurance in NYC metro area.  Any experience with this out there?

Thanks - Jim

[CHD63]

Jim .....

I do not know anything about Magna Care Insurance, but I do want to welcome you to this forum of caring and supportive friends.  You might want to check out http://anausa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=186&Itemid=121 for additional information on selecting a physician.

If you have not already done so, you would do well to send for the free ANA materials.  There is a wealth of information in the packet.  See:  http://anausa.org/index.php?option=com_aicontactsafe&view=message&layout=message&pf=4&Itemid=195

Tell us a little bit more about the size of your AN and your symptoms.

Best wishes.  Clarice

[JAndrews]

Dr. Tom Roland. He was as highly recommended as Dr. Brackmann, Roland is at NYU, I think:)

[jlkelectric]

Having trouble replying on the site; will try again

Jim

[jlkelectric]

3.5 mm on the left, so far 20% hearing loss and tinnitus only.  ENT wants a higher resolution MRI (had an open MRI) to further delineate appropriate treatment, but today, after ins company denying it, it went to the review board, and the insurance (Magna Care) still denied it.  ENT recommended neurotologist that is out of network, which are most of the docs on the ANA web site.

Jim

[nteeman]

My Doc, Dr. Bederson at MT. Sinai, is not in any insurance plan but will take whatever the insurance company pays.  Everyone else at Mt. Sinai was in my plan (United Healthcare).

Neal

[CHD63]

Jim .....

Do you mean 3.5 cm?  It is unusual to define AN size with decimal mm.  If it is cm instead of mm, you have a significantly large AN that I am very surprised an insurance company would be balking at paying for a more definitive test ...... and you should not be delaying treatment very long.  If it is 3.5 mm, it is still very small and you have plenty of time to weigh your options.  If you still have 80% hearing, you may have a good chance for hearing preservation.

My AN was 2+ cm at diagnosis, with a 20% hearing loss.  I had retrosigmoid approach surgery and retained 20% useful hearing (boosted nicely with a digital hearing aid).

Many medical facilities will work with your insurance company and negotiate fees/payments for you.  This is one time you want physicians with vast experience in the treatment of ANs so do not rule out a doctor based on what your insurance company is telling you.

Let us know how things are progressing.

Clarice

[jlkelectric]

Thanks, Neal, we may have to look in to that, and Clarice, yes, the report says 3.5 mm, not cm, though some of the docs that I work with say it should still come out, but granted, they are not the experts.  I am Jim's wife, Pam, and I am a critical care nurse, but this is even new ground for me, because we don't see much of it, and certainly not my specialty.  We are hoping that the group at Sloan-Kettering indeed does participate in his insurance, which they say they do, because they have a specialty AN team.  Just awaiting an appt with that team now once his records are sent to them from the ENT.

Thanks to everyone for all of your input and support.  I am sure this is just the beginning of our journey, and we will keep you updated. I am checking the boards today for him because he is enjoying his afternoon watching the Daytona 500, which I heartily encourage. 

Pam & Jim