I'm wondering for those of you who went to Stanford and had Dr. Steinberg do the surgery, did your insurance refer you or did you pay out of pocket?  I have Kaiser insurance and I'm wondering if anyone has this insurance and was referred to Stanford.  Thanks for any information.

Suni
Long Beach, CA

Hi Suni,
Best bet with the insurance is to talk to Bob in Dr. Steinberg's office. He can make the arrangements with your insurance company for you. He has plenty of experience dealing with them so can talk their lingo. You have enough on your plate already. Best of luck.
Kim

Hi Suni,

I personally don't know anyone who has Kaiser HMO insurance and been referred to Stanford and Dr. Steinberg.

Kaiser is a "closed network" HMO, meaning you can't go out of their network of doctors and hospitals, unless it is an emergency situation for which you have no control over and once stabilized, Kaiser would transport you to one of their facilities and/or doctors. It is nearly impossible, and highly unlikely, to receive treatment outside the Kaiser HMO network. That's not to say it can't happen, but certainly it would be rare.

The only way I see you getting to Stanford and Dr. Steinberg, having Kaiser HMO insurance, is if Kaiser doesn't have their own neuro who is familiar with MM.  Mar posted a link to a post from Jeff who has Kaiser HMO insurance and was treated for MM by Dr. Vanefsky through Kaiser in Anaheim CA in 1999.  If that doctor is no longer with Kaiser, and there is not another neuro in the Kaiser system familiar with MM, then it may be possible for you to get referred to Stanford.

Has Kaiser informed you they have a neuro familiar with MM and experienced in the surgical treatment options?  

Best wishes and keep us posted.

Lore

Lore,

Thank you so much for your information.  It turns out the neuro who treated Jeff Williams a few years back at Kaiser is my current neuro who diagnosed me.  What a relief to know that he has experience with MM.  I'm seeing him on Friday to discuss next steps.  Thank you so much for taking the time to respond.

Suni
Long Beach, CA

Hi Suni,

Best wishes to you and please keep us posted on your next steps. We are family here and want to know how you are doing and support you through this journey.

Please ask any questions.

Lore