Hi,
My sweet sister just sent me a link to nervmed (Dr. Fillers site). I was under the impression Dr. Filler didn't accept insurance. Not true?
http://www.nervemed.com/about/insurance ... nt-options
Thanks to anyone who can clarify!
Warm regards,
Karyn
Does Dr. Filler accept insurance?
Does Dr. Filler accept insurance?
Ultra Sound in 03/08 showed severely retroverted, detaching uterus with mulitple fibroids and ovarian cysts.
Pressure and pain in lower abdomen and groin area was unspeakable and devastating.
Total lap hysterectomy in 06/08, but damage was already done.
EMG testing in NH in 04/10 - bilateral PN and Ilioinguals
3T MRI at HSS, NY in 09/10
Bilateral TG surgery with Dr. Conway on 03/29/11. Bilat ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric neurectomy 03/12. TCD surgery 04/14.
Pressure and pain in lower abdomen and groin area was unspeakable and devastating.
Total lap hysterectomy in 06/08, but damage was already done.
EMG testing in NH in 04/10 - bilateral PN and Ilioinguals
3T MRI at HSS, NY in 09/10
Bilateral TG surgery with Dr. Conway on 03/29/11. Bilat ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric neurectomy 03/12. TCD surgery 04/14.
Re: Does Dr. Filler accept insurance?
I was under the impression that many times a person's insurance will cover the hospital portion but not the surgeon portion or office visits. Maybe it just depends on what your plan is?
However, since we really don't have people here who said they got well from any of their surgeries with Filler (and some had multiple surgeries), maybe insurance is the least of concerns. JMHO.
However, since we really don't have people here who said they got well from any of their surgeries with Filler (and some had multiple surgeries), maybe insurance is the least of concerns. JMHO.
PNE as a result of childbirth, 2002. Treatment by the Houston team, with neurosurgery by Dr. Ansell in 2004. My left side ST and SS ligaments were found to be grown together, encasing the pudendal nerve.
I am cured. I hope you will be, too.
There are no medical answers on the forum. Your only hope is to go to a doctor. I was very happy with the Houston team, which has treated the most PNE patients (well over 400), more than any other US provider.
http://www.tipna.org
I am cured. I hope you will be, too.
There are no medical answers on the forum. Your only hope is to go to a doctor. I was very happy with the Houston team, which has treated the most PNE patients (well over 400), more than any other US provider.
http://www.tipna.org
Re: Does Dr. Filler accept insurance?
I saw Dr. Filler a few years back. He accepted absolutely no insurance. However, depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to get some reimbursement from your insurance company. Dr. Filler is extremely expensive. I wish the old posts from the other forum were available so you could read people's comments on their experiences with Dr. Filler.
I did not have a good experience. I think the initial appointment was $500. For that, his assistant came in and took all my information, followed by a brief visit with Dr. Filler himself. From that point onward, it was impossible to see Dr. Filler again. They told me he is too busy to see patients or talk to them on the phone unless they are post-surgery. No direct access to the doc!
I went ahead with the MRN. Instead of the pudendal nerve, they focused on my sciatic nerve. I have NO sciatic symptoms. The report mentioned nothing about my pudendal nerve, which was the whole reason why I spent so much money. When I really made a fuss, the assistant finally called me back and said Dr. Filler reviewed the MRN and he was able to see part of the pudendal nerve and didn't see anything wrong. I think that was a whole lotta hooie.
Nevertheless, he (through his assistant) INSISTED I needed injections into my piriformis. One injection on one side was $10,000!!! When I said there was no way we could afford that, the office person asked if I owned my house. When I said yes, she told me, "Many of our patients take out a home equity loan to pay for the injections."
It seems that Dr. Filler's "thing" for pudendal nerve patients is piriformis injections. I do believe that at one time, Dr. Filler may have been a good doctor. Now, I believe his focus is $money, not helping patients. Also, he claims to have a 90% success rate with his pudendal surgery. If that were true, his near-certain cure would be written up in medical journals and all other doctors would be copying his success.
Perhaps some other PN patients have had a better experience with Dr. Filler and his office, but from what I remember from the old forum, most people had similar experiences.
I'm not saying not to go see Dr. Filler if you think he's right for you. Just proceed with caution and ask lots of questions and don't be pressured to spend money you don't have.
Hope that helped,
Emily B.
I did not have a good experience. I think the initial appointment was $500. For that, his assistant came in and took all my information, followed by a brief visit with Dr. Filler himself. From that point onward, it was impossible to see Dr. Filler again. They told me he is too busy to see patients or talk to them on the phone unless they are post-surgery. No direct access to the doc!
I went ahead with the MRN. Instead of the pudendal nerve, they focused on my sciatic nerve. I have NO sciatic symptoms. The report mentioned nothing about my pudendal nerve, which was the whole reason why I spent so much money. When I really made a fuss, the assistant finally called me back and said Dr. Filler reviewed the MRN and he was able to see part of the pudendal nerve and didn't see anything wrong. I think that was a whole lotta hooie.
Nevertheless, he (through his assistant) INSISTED I needed injections into my piriformis. One injection on one side was $10,000!!! When I said there was no way we could afford that, the office person asked if I owned my house. When I said yes, she told me, "Many of our patients take out a home equity loan to pay for the injections."
It seems that Dr. Filler's "thing" for pudendal nerve patients is piriformis injections. I do believe that at one time, Dr. Filler may have been a good doctor. Now, I believe his focus is $money, not helping patients. Also, he claims to have a 90% success rate with his pudendal surgery. If that were true, his near-certain cure would be written up in medical journals and all other doctors would be copying his success.
Perhaps some other PN patients have had a better experience with Dr. Filler and his office, but from what I remember from the old forum, most people had similar experiences.
I'm not saying not to go see Dr. Filler if you think he's right for you. Just proceed with caution and ask lots of questions and don't be pressured to spend money you don't have.
Hope that helped,
Emily B.
Re: Does Dr. Filler accept insurance?
Thank you for your responses. My dear sister, in her efforts to be supportive of me, came across his site and thought she struck a gold mine with finding "the best of the best" of PN doctors. While thanking her profusely for her good intentions, I quickly set her straight. I was however, very surprised to see the website claim of how accomodating his insurance options were. As mentioned in my original post, I hadn't heard of one single person being covered by insurance with him. I also appreciate your concern, but please rest assure that I'm not considering Dr. Filler for treatment.
Warm regards,
Karyn
Warm regards,
Karyn
Ultra Sound in 03/08 showed severely retroverted, detaching uterus with mulitple fibroids and ovarian cysts.
Pressure and pain in lower abdomen and groin area was unspeakable and devastating.
Total lap hysterectomy in 06/08, but damage was already done.
EMG testing in NH in 04/10 - bilateral PN and Ilioinguals
3T MRI at HSS, NY in 09/10
Bilateral TG surgery with Dr. Conway on 03/29/11. Bilat ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric neurectomy 03/12. TCD surgery 04/14.
Pressure and pain in lower abdomen and groin area was unspeakable and devastating.
Total lap hysterectomy in 06/08, but damage was already done.
EMG testing in NH in 04/10 - bilateral PN and Ilioinguals
3T MRI at HSS, NY in 09/10
Bilateral TG surgery with Dr. Conway on 03/29/11. Bilat ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric neurectomy 03/12. TCD surgery 04/14.
Re: Does Dr. Filler accept insurance?
Oh Karyn,
I'm so relieved you've come to that conclusion.
I had a surgery with Dr. Filler, and have visited his office often.
Let me tell you that it is a complete waste of money.
His success rates are not true. I know this because I read his reports on me, and he was writing that I was doing well post surgery when I was not doing well. If he can't accurately document his own patients, how can he possible have an accurate success rate?
He has given himself the title of "world leader" in nerve care, with no one having bestowed it upon himself.
He is a sour little man who spends little time diagnosing, little physical exam of pertinent body parts (like he'll tap your knee and look at your butt while you're in jeans!) He'll charge an arm and a leg for procedures, and then for me, he decided because we were uncertain of one surgery, to switch to another one in 3 seconds flat. Then, refused to go back to his old idea which was so grand seconds ago. Like there was no rationale to my surgery and I was just his guinea pig. He has done multiple surgeries on many people...like 4 surgeries on a person!
You wait like 2-3 hours past your set time for an appointment that lasts 5 minutes, all the while he's in his office happily typing away.
His injections alone can run 10-20,000
Now, I got lucky in that my HMO paid for the crappy treatment I received. But it wasted years of my life and left me with sciatica and plantar fascitis in my feet for 3 years. (it took me one year to get approval, and they sent me to him.)
I will never ever recommend him, although I'm sure from time to time he gets lucky and helps people, otherwise how could he remain in business?
I'm so relieved you've come to that conclusion.
I had a surgery with Dr. Filler, and have visited his office often.
Let me tell you that it is a complete waste of money.
His success rates are not true. I know this because I read his reports on me, and he was writing that I was doing well post surgery when I was not doing well. If he can't accurately document his own patients, how can he possible have an accurate success rate?
He has given himself the title of "world leader" in nerve care, with no one having bestowed it upon himself.
He is a sour little man who spends little time diagnosing, little physical exam of pertinent body parts (like he'll tap your knee and look at your butt while you're in jeans!) He'll charge an arm and a leg for procedures, and then for me, he decided because we were uncertain of one surgery, to switch to another one in 3 seconds flat. Then, refused to go back to his old idea which was so grand seconds ago. Like there was no rationale to my surgery and I was just his guinea pig. He has done multiple surgeries on many people...like 4 surgeries on a person!
You wait like 2-3 hours past your set time for an appointment that lasts 5 minutes, all the while he's in his office happily typing away.
His injections alone can run 10-20,000
Now, I got lucky in that my HMO paid for the crappy treatment I received. But it wasted years of my life and left me with sciatica and plantar fascitis in my feet for 3 years. (it took me one year to get approval, and they sent me to him.)
I will never ever recommend him, although I'm sure from time to time he gets lucky and helps people, otherwise how could he remain in business?
-straddle fall age 4-7 w/bleeding labia, tampons hurt in teens, papsmere started annoying pelvic 'tingling' & pne in 02
-obturator surgery w/ Filler in 05 (useless, created sciatic & plantar fascitis pain)
-TIR surgery w/ Bautrant in 08 and vestibulectomy in 08 in France (vest. removed pain w/intercourse, pain w/sitting increased post surgery)
-chronic fatigue & food allergies/migraines (gluten, milk) from pain meds in 08
-want a life back. I'm 34 w/8+ years of pain
-obturator surgery w/ Filler in 05 (useless, created sciatic & plantar fascitis pain)
-TIR surgery w/ Bautrant in 08 and vestibulectomy in 08 in France (vest. removed pain w/intercourse, pain w/sitting increased post surgery)
-chronic fatigue & food allergies/migraines (gluten, milk) from pain meds in 08
-want a life back. I'm 34 w/8+ years of pain
Re: Does Dr. Filler accept insurance?
Hi Pianogal and Emily,
I am so, so, very sorry about your Filler experience. Each new post I read in regards to him and his treatments just breaks my heart. Clearly, this is not a man who is trying to help people. I hope he's enjoying whatever tide he's currently riding.
It can't last. It's very sad and unfortunate there are so many desperate people out there who would fall prey to his grandiose claims. I was almost one of them, as when I first started researching this problem, who comes up first? Filler! And if you don't know any better, he comes across as the solution to all of your problems. I'm eternally grateful to the wonderful people from pudendal.info and HOPE. Without all of you, I could've made the biggest mistake of my life!
Warm regards,
Karyn
I am so, so, very sorry about your Filler experience. Each new post I read in regards to him and his treatments just breaks my heart. Clearly, this is not a man who is trying to help people. I hope he's enjoying whatever tide he's currently riding.
It can't last. It's very sad and unfortunate there are so many desperate people out there who would fall prey to his grandiose claims. I was almost one of them, as when I first started researching this problem, who comes up first? Filler! And if you don't know any better, he comes across as the solution to all of your problems. I'm eternally grateful to the wonderful people from pudendal.info and HOPE. Without all of you, I could've made the biggest mistake of my life!
Warm regards,
Karyn
Ultra Sound in 03/08 showed severely retroverted, detaching uterus with mulitple fibroids and ovarian cysts.
Pressure and pain in lower abdomen and groin area was unspeakable and devastating.
Total lap hysterectomy in 06/08, but damage was already done.
EMG testing in NH in 04/10 - bilateral PN and Ilioinguals
3T MRI at HSS, NY in 09/10
Bilateral TG surgery with Dr. Conway on 03/29/11. Bilat ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric neurectomy 03/12. TCD surgery 04/14.
Pressure and pain in lower abdomen and groin area was unspeakable and devastating.
Total lap hysterectomy in 06/08, but damage was already done.
EMG testing in NH in 04/10 - bilateral PN and Ilioinguals
3T MRI at HSS, NY in 09/10
Bilateral TG surgery with Dr. Conway on 03/29/11. Bilat ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric neurectomy 03/12. TCD surgery 04/14.
-
HerMajesty
- Posts: 1134
- Joined: Sat Sep 18, 2010 12:41 am
- Location: North Las Vegas, Nevada
Re: Does Dr. Filler accept insurance?
Dr. Filler's office works with insurance as an out-of-network provider. I went to see him for exam and MRN - insurance-free it would have been $300 for exam and $4500 for MRN. They processed my out of network benefits for me including prior authorization, and I wound up paying $150 for exam and $1200 for MRN.
I do not think he is a totally uncaring Doctor with nothing to offer; nor do I think he is the 1st choice for pudendal care. He seems to have developed an obsession for the piriformis, and be it injections or surgery, he seems to target the piriformis in the majority of his cases, as the culprit in PNE. I think the piriformis is really involved in a minority of cases.
The results of my MRN caused him to recommend piriformis injections to me, and yes he charges an outrageous price for them however they are widely available at pain clinics so I just went and got it done at a practice that is in-network for my insurance. The injections actually made me worse (so far a month after I am still in a flare and have sciatica which I did not have prior), however what this DOES say to me is that my piriformis is impinging in some way on that pudendal nerve, even if sticking a steroid in it swelled the muscle up worse instead of relaxing it. So I am considering botox to the piriformis now.
However, I think ther real problem for me is S2 tarlov cysts, which I did not know about until the MRN. Dr. Filler did not recommend treating them; however did note them (some radiologists don't), which allowed me to do more research into the topic on my own and seek help from other sources.
So, I do think seeing Dr. Filler and getting the MRN was worthwhile; and the price with my particular benefits was not unreasonable. I would be more cautious in recommending that anyone follow up to have an actual procedure with Dr. Filler. I think there is a better value for your money in almost all cases.
I do not think he is a totally uncaring Doctor with nothing to offer; nor do I think he is the 1st choice for pudendal care. He seems to have developed an obsession for the piriformis, and be it injections or surgery, he seems to target the piriformis in the majority of his cases, as the culprit in PNE. I think the piriformis is really involved in a minority of cases.
The results of my MRN caused him to recommend piriformis injections to me, and yes he charges an outrageous price for them however they are widely available at pain clinics so I just went and got it done at a practice that is in-network for my insurance. The injections actually made me worse (so far a month after I am still in a flare and have sciatica which I did not have prior), however what this DOES say to me is that my piriformis is impinging in some way on that pudendal nerve, even if sticking a steroid in it swelled the muscle up worse instead of relaxing it. So I am considering botox to the piriformis now.
However, I think ther real problem for me is S2 tarlov cysts, which I did not know about until the MRN. Dr. Filler did not recommend treating them; however did note them (some radiologists don't), which allowed me to do more research into the topic on my own and seek help from other sources.
So, I do think seeing Dr. Filler and getting the MRN was worthwhile; and the price with my particular benefits was not unreasonable. I would be more cautious in recommending that anyone follow up to have an actual procedure with Dr. Filler. I think there is a better value for your money in almost all cases.
pelvic pain started 1985 age 14 interstitial cystitis. Refused medical care from age 17, did GREAT with self care for years.
2004 PN started gradually, disabled by 2009. Underlying cause SIJD & Tarlov cysts
improved with PT & meds: neurontin, valium, nortriptyline, propanolol. (off nortriptyline & propanolol now, yay!)
Tarlov cyst surgery with Dr. Frank Feigenbaum March 20, 2012.
Results have been excellent so far; but I won't know my final functional level for a couple of years.
2004 PN started gradually, disabled by 2009. Underlying cause SIJD & Tarlov cysts
improved with PT & meds: neurontin, valium, nortriptyline, propanolol. (off nortriptyline & propanolol now, yay!)
Tarlov cyst surgery with Dr. Frank Feigenbaum March 20, 2012.
Results have been excellent so far; but I won't know my final functional level for a couple of years.
Re: Does Dr. Filler accept insurance?
Hi there, Hermajesty!
Thanks for posting your input and a somewhat different perspective. I'm confused about the acceptance of "out of network" insurance benefits, though. Is he "in network" for anyone?
Have you scheduled the Botox trial yet? Do you know if your insurance is going to cover it?
I hope you're able to find a solution to the tarlov cysts, soon. I don't think you're off base in the least for thinking they're a contributor to your PN.
Warmest of regards,
Karyn
Thanks for posting your input and a somewhat different perspective. I'm confused about the acceptance of "out of network" insurance benefits, though. Is he "in network" for anyone?
Have you scheduled the Botox trial yet? Do you know if your insurance is going to cover it?
I hope you're able to find a solution to the tarlov cysts, soon. I don't think you're off base in the least for thinking they're a contributor to your PN.
Warmest of regards,
Karyn
Ultra Sound in 03/08 showed severely retroverted, detaching uterus with mulitple fibroids and ovarian cysts.
Pressure and pain in lower abdomen and groin area was unspeakable and devastating.
Total lap hysterectomy in 06/08, but damage was already done.
EMG testing in NH in 04/10 - bilateral PN and Ilioinguals
3T MRI at HSS, NY in 09/10
Bilateral TG surgery with Dr. Conway on 03/29/11. Bilat ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric neurectomy 03/12. TCD surgery 04/14.
Pressure and pain in lower abdomen and groin area was unspeakable and devastating.
Total lap hysterectomy in 06/08, but damage was already done.
EMG testing in NH in 04/10 - bilateral PN and Ilioinguals
3T MRI at HSS, NY in 09/10
Bilateral TG surgery with Dr. Conway on 03/29/11. Bilat ilioinguinal & iliohypogastric neurectomy 03/12. TCD surgery 04/14.
-
HerMajesty
- Posts: 1134
- Joined: Sat Sep 18, 2010 12:41 am
- Location: North Las Vegas, Nevada
Re: Does Dr. Filler accept insurance?
Hi Karyn,
I have not done jack, been too busy with work & family. This whole process is going slooowly right now & unlike most times that it goes slooowly, it is really my fault for not having 4 arms and 2 heads and for insisting on doing dumb useless stuff like sleeping and eating. So I have not followed up appropriately yet.
Yes, Dr. Filler is out of network for EVERYONE.
Some people have out of network benefits, and some do not. You have to ask your insurence provider. For me, my in-network providers are the ones who are contracted with my insurance company, and they collect a copay from me at a rate set by the insurance. the only reimbursement they are allowed, is my preset copay plus their contracted insurance rate for the particular procedure.
Out-of-Network, I can see whomever I please, and the deal is always the same: $250 deductible followed by my insurance paying 70% of "usual and customary" charges, and me paying the other 30%. The MRN was considered "usual and "customary" (and BTW DID require a prior authorization code although it was out of network), so they paid 70%. The problem with Dr. Filler's other procedures is, he charges well above usual and customary. So say he does a procedure and charges $10,000...insurance can determine usual and customary for that procedure is $3,000, and pay me 70% of $3.000, and I would be stuck with all the rest. Hence the whole "Financing Department" at Dr. Filler's office.
I have not done jack, been too busy with work & family. This whole process is going slooowly right now & unlike most times that it goes slooowly, it is really my fault for not having 4 arms and 2 heads and for insisting on doing dumb useless stuff like sleeping and eating. So I have not followed up appropriately yet.
Yes, Dr. Filler is out of network for EVERYONE.
Some people have out of network benefits, and some do not. You have to ask your insurence provider. For me, my in-network providers are the ones who are contracted with my insurance company, and they collect a copay from me at a rate set by the insurance. the only reimbursement they are allowed, is my preset copay plus their contracted insurance rate for the particular procedure.
Out-of-Network, I can see whomever I please, and the deal is always the same: $250 deductible followed by my insurance paying 70% of "usual and customary" charges, and me paying the other 30%. The MRN was considered "usual and "customary" (and BTW DID require a prior authorization code although it was out of network), so they paid 70%. The problem with Dr. Filler's other procedures is, he charges well above usual and customary. So say he does a procedure and charges $10,000...insurance can determine usual and customary for that procedure is $3,000, and pay me 70% of $3.000, and I would be stuck with all the rest. Hence the whole "Financing Department" at Dr. Filler's office.
pelvic pain started 1985 age 14 interstitial cystitis. Refused medical care from age 17, did GREAT with self care for years.
2004 PN started gradually, disabled by 2009. Underlying cause SIJD & Tarlov cysts
improved with PT & meds: neurontin, valium, nortriptyline, propanolol. (off nortriptyline & propanolol now, yay!)
Tarlov cyst surgery with Dr. Frank Feigenbaum March 20, 2012.
Results have been excellent so far; but I won't know my final functional level for a couple of years.
2004 PN started gradually, disabled by 2009. Underlying cause SIJD & Tarlov cysts
improved with PT & meds: neurontin, valium, nortriptyline, propanolol. (off nortriptyline & propanolol now, yay!)
Tarlov cyst surgery with Dr. Frank Feigenbaum March 20, 2012.
Results have been excellent so far; but I won't know my final functional level for a couple of years.
Re: Does Dr. Filler accept insurance?
I thought I wanted to see Dr. Filler until I read this forum! I am undiagnosed as yet but have had 8 months of burning, stinging sensation near my right "sitting bone" following bladder surgery. I'll be gettng a referral for an MRN soon from my gynecologist. But I have no PNE doctor to show it to! Does anyone have a doctor that they'd recommend?