Spasmodic Dysphonia Bulletin Board

health insurance coverage for Botox
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Posted by: Lynn ®
11/27/2004, 11:02:46
Hello from Phoenix AZ.
It's time for me to choose my health insurance plan at work, and since my current plan doesn't cover much of the Botox expense, I am seeking advice. I am considering Pacificare of Arizona HMO health plan. I hope someone already has this plan and can tell me the amount they cover for Botox, if it is precertified by the primary physician. With this knowledge I can better "fight" for the best coverage they offer others.
Thanks!



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Re: health insurance coverage for Botox
Re: health insurance coverage for Botox -- Lynn Top of thread Archive
Posted by: Peter ®
11/28/2004, 14:48:44
Hi,
In the UK I have a great insurance company. They paid for up to three botox shots and two thyroplasty's.
peter



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Re: health insurance coverage for Botox
Re: Re: health insurance coverage for Botox -- Peter Top of thread Archive
Posted by: chard ®
11/30/2004, 11:18:25
Peter

My UK insurer will not pay for Botox because it is a treatment which has to be repeated not a cure??




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Re: health insurance coverage for Botox
Re: Re: health insurance coverage for Botox -- chard Top of thread Archive
Posted by: Peter ®
11/30/2004, 16:17:27
Sorry to hear that. It is discretionary as I understand it. I probably was lucky!
Good luck
peter



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Re: health insurance coverage for Botox
Re: health insurance coverage for Botox -- Lynn Top of thread Archive
Posted by: PJSmith ®
12/02/2004, 21:19:40
Hello from Phoenix yourself! I am on AHCCCS (medicaid) or Arizona Healthcare Containment System. I was just approved for botox injections today and I am elated! I finally got a job with a non-profit organization that works with people with disablities throught Social Security. They offer BCBS/AZ but I declined it. Good thing, my present insurance through SS will follow me for eight years. Now I can resume botox injections, get a better voice. For those of you in AZ. there is a Dr. A.J. Emami who has a successful track record treating SD, even Abductors! He is the only one in the state that does the front procedure like Dr. Robert Bastian of Chicago.

Pat in Phoenix
AB/SD since 1996




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Re: health insurance coverage for Botox
Re: Re: health insurance coverage for Botox -- PJSmith Top of thread Archive
Posted by: laura ®
12/02/2004, 22:47:52
I happen to live in Tucson at the moment, but will be moving to Phoenix soon. I can tell you that Dr. Emami is wonderful. I have AB/SD and had my first botox shot in late October. My voice is great!! Maybe not 100%, but 80-90% better. You might try calling his office and see what insurance he accepts. or call the insurance company you are thinking about going with and ask them what coverage is available for botox. Another option to try an see Dr Emami, if he is not on your list of approved doctors, is to find out if a primary care physician or ENT can refer you to Dr. Emami,(based on the fact that he is a specialist in the voice area, then see if the insurance company will approve you going to see him. My insurance company (Tricare) approved me seeing Dr. Emami, even though he is not on my list of approved Tricare doctors because I use my voice for my profession and because he is such a specialist in the voice area. Good luck!!
Laura



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Re: health insurance coverage for Botox
Re: Re: health insurance coverage for Botox -- laura Top of thread Archive
Posted by: jaime31 ®
12/03/2004, 19:13:41
Laura,
You said that you have ab/sd and your injections have been helpful? I have ab/sd and have had three injections to both sides. Can you tell me how your doctor injects you, and if you have it done on both sides? Do you know the dosage of the injection? My voice has less spasms, but is very weak and high pitched. If you could let me know about your experience that would be great. Thanks Jaime



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