[mudlakeslim]

Since BC/BS of Michigan currently does not provide coverage for the artificial disc replacement procedure I will begrundgingly schedule for the fusion surgery in April of this year. Both my doctor and I agree that the disc replacement is the preferred method of treatment but since I am not able to pay for the surgery myself and BC/BS consider it experimental and investigational I will go with the fusion.

If anybody has any information regarding talks between BC/BS and the makers of the artificial disc I would like to know about it so I can inform my physician. I realize that the time frame is not looking too good for me as far as an overturning of their current decision on this matter but it could help other patients who are just finding out that this surgury is not covered by all policies.