Carefirst Insurance?

[LLMomAndWife]

Hello,
I'm looking for a Chiari specialist who takes Carefirst BlueCross BlueShield Insurance. Anyone found one?

[kwalker0004]

it was not hard for me to get in with him. Once my PCP got the MRI report back stating I had chiari and the doctors in my little town didn't understand it he sent a referall for me to see him. I hope you have the best of luck

[selmaS]

  This can be very frustrating and unfortunately, Drs that work alone and not in a clinic setting have far too many patients to handle so they restrict whom they see as a result....other Chiari specialists may help by reviewing your MRI....some do this free or for a nominal fee..

There is an EDS Dr in Baltimore,MD most Chiari specialists on the East Coast refer to her....Dr. Claire Francamano. She is a geneticist.

Since Dr F also is well aware of Chiari, it ma be a way in to Dr H......

[LLMomAndWife]

Very bummed. Dr. Henderson won't see me without a geneticist report or diagnosis of Chiari. What a catch 22! My MRI came back as "normal". It was a supine MRI and not upright. My symptoms are more pronounced with I'm upright, but my neurologist didn't understand this and didn't know what an upright MRI was when I asked for the MRI. So I had one supine and its "normal". If the malformation doesn't present itself until a person is upright and no one will order an upright MRI, how will I get properly diagnosed? I guess I won't. I feel really down right now. Dr. H.'s receptionist was very unhelpful when I explained the catch 22. I need to see the doctor to have the proper MRI done and for the investigation of Ehlers Danlos. The receptionist said I need a genetics report. Where do I get a geneticist? She was clueless and repeated herself again. I said thank you and hung up. What an awful experience and let down... again.

[LLMomAndWife]

This is very helpful. Thank you so much. Was it very difficult to get in see him?

[kwalker0004]

Hi, My doctor is Dr. H, don't give up on him. He is a fabulous doctor. He has been mine for a year now. He has worked with my insurance even though his office claims he doesn't accept insurance. It might of been that we had consultations at the hospital instead of his office that he accepted it or it was because I have state insurance (Medicaide/Medicare) instead of a private insurance.

Try other outlets, some doctors have an office inside and outside of their offices, such as at a hospital. There are a couple of other Nueros that I have met with from JH that are highly recommended and patients have enjoyed them they just weren't the ones for me. I am a worry wart and I needed to have a doctor understand where I was coming from. Even if he didn't work with my insurance I would still find a way to pay for him even if I had to work out a payment plan. He is one of the best and I enjoy him as my doctor.

Best of luck to you.

[selmaS]

  Just until recently many or most Chiari specialists did not work with INS.....but that does not mean the hospital or NL and others working with the NS don't...so much of my surgery was covered even tho my Dr did not work with INS.......so do talk to the billing office at the Drs  location and to your INS carrier to see what you would be responsible for....most times it can be close to the out of pocket costs when the Dr does accept or work with INS.....so do look into that and not give up because the Dr does not take or work with your INS. JMHO

[LLMomAndWife]

I live in the Washington, DC area. I was hopeful to meet with Dr. Henderson, but he doesn't accept insurance.

[selmaS]

  What area do you live in?