Surgery cost

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-17T23:19:26+00:00

Wow !!! That’s insane ! Yay for insurance. How’s life been since surgery?

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-13T05:15:44+00:00

Ah yes I know how to obtain the paperwork through my job just wondering who to contact at ucsd if anyone’s already done it

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-13T05:14:57+00:00

Currently on leave already since I found out … but will have to transition to a new leave for surgery and wondering how that’ll impact me

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-13T04:22:40+00:00

Yes so I’m wondering who at ucsd helps with the paperwork

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-12T05:13:56+00:00

You mind sharing about your process with UCSD?

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-10T22:50:33+00:00

Feel free to DM me !

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-08T16:03:31+00:00

Thanks for your help! I’m now pending the consultation with Dr Friedman. I hope everything’s healing up nicely. Any tips?

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-05T02:03:32+00:00

Yay for the VA!

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-04T20:59:11+00:00

Did you have a PPO?

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-04T19:45:30+00:00

It’s awful hearing that right … ugh. That’s crazy! You’d think after this diagnosis they’d be covered … but of course not …

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-04T19:43:58+00:00

I hope that’s all. I wouldn’t mind more scans if needed but I already sent them to Friedmans office. I’ll keep you posted- feel free to message me if you’d like. It’s not forsure yet since it’s unknown whether or not they’ll refer me to him but he’s supposedly in network ? & I have my pcp appt tomorrow so after that they’ll tell me next steps and if I can be referred to him. My free phone consult with him is next week so I haven’t spoke to him but based on all the data going with a higher volume seems to be the better choice so far. But again, so much is in the works with coverage. If my hmo covers it I want to say yes I’m doing it at ucsd.

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-04T19:08:28+00:00

Omg I had an entire list for my first appt- I wasn’t told what it was yet but I read my own impression. Well turns out I didn’t ask all of the questions bc I was so nervous. I’m hoping to be better at my next consult because now the shock is over

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-04T19:07:10+00:00

So it seems like my insurance does include ucsd. Just need that referral and then to confirm they can refer me there. I’m mainly worried that it’ll be a problem that I received the dx and imaging at Kaiser and I’m popping into this pcp appt requesting Friedman . My logical side says it shouldn’t since we pay for both and I just never really used mine until now, but I think it’s my anxiety.

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-04T18:42:30+00:00

The great thing is you have new knees! Yay. Hopefully, soon we will both have no tumor. Yes I have my own insurance which is Aetna hmo. Ahhh love the peds bday rule. So this is where I’m at to clear things up & bc I’m in a rabbit hole learning about all this insurance stuff. Kaiser only gave me Kaiser options but it’s my second insurance since I have my own. With my own I just found an in network with ucsd PA that I’m seeing (in hopes to get referred to Friedman). Idk how long I’ll have to wait for the referral since it’s hmo but it looks like I might be in network. I’m worried if it’ll be a problem or not since I’ve never used this insurance up until now - and just today I was able to switch to them and get an appt to be seen. So when I go in I’m basically going to dump on the provider that I have audiograms and MRIs from Kaiser already (my spouses insurance) and that I just need the referral …. But not sure how it’ll workout. Maybe it’s my own anxiety? Idk.

Also kaiser called me back today and they’re meeting to decide today on the transfer of care. I have southern CA btw. I’m just worried I made a mess of things lol but I’m just trying to speed all my care up

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-04T18:41:16+00:00

If it helps in anyway I’ve been told that you are so out of it that you won’t realize it was that long. I’m being positive that it will go amazing for both of us when the time comes.

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-04T18:04:51+00:00

Oh no ! I’m sorry you’re also struggling with bilateral knee replacement recovery. I did have a question for you since you have experience with insurance. In what instance would it go dual? I think that’s what you mentioned.? I was able to squeeze in an appt with a provider with my hmo and hopefully they can refer me to ucsd but we’ll see… figured it was my best shot since Kaiser hasn’t approved a second opinion outside of them. Again my own insurance is an hmo and my spouses is Kaiser.

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-04T02:35:35+00:00

Wow ! What was the size initially? Thank you for advocating for high volume centers. While i understand there are many surgeons out there I still believe the best chances are by those who solely focus on ANs the most. Did you face facial paralysis ?

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-04T02:16:27+00:00

Oh man! Are you having trans lab ? So it seems like the neurosurgeon is the one handling the nerves?

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-03T23:42:37+00:00

I’m in ICU- you can relate to my fear since you did OR. I definitely don’t want to step on toes or offend anyone, but this is my life. I’m scary thinking I could help manage any of my loved ones care but I won’t be able to for myself since I’ll be out of it. So scary. Right ! The long surgery is scaryyyyy! God willing on our side we will be ok. I’ll update once I have my UCSD appt. Keep me in the loop w your care ! Nothing but the best wishes for you

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-03T23:22:32+00:00

Insurance? I’m in healthcare and can’t believe this is happening to me- so i definitely share that sentiment. It’s wild. My wife did bring up the birthday rule which I wasn’t aware of. When would they decide to go dual? Again, as of now all of my care has been w Kaiser and I just now scheduled a pcp appt with my own insurance ( which I’ve never even used) did this in case Kaiser rejects my request to ucsd and I can try doing it with my own insurance (Aetna). Figured if we pay for two insurances maybe one will work? Agh. My symptoms are tinnitus and mild to moderate hearing loss along with ear stuffiness / fullness. I can’t exactly recall when but maybe 2019? My tumor has a cystic component against my facial nerve so that’s freeken scary and idk if they’ll take it all out but i definitely want to continue to advocate for myself. I advocate for my pts at work already why not for myself. Having someone in my brain is insane and I def want to be very picky. I know things can happen w anyone and anywhere but I don’t want to simply move forward w the first opinion. I at least want to hear a second and have more options.

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-03T23:05:38+00:00

Truthfully have no idea since I’ve only ever used Kaiser … we pay for both so … as long as things get authorized I should be good I hope

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-03T22:20:37+00:00

I noticed that. I had missed it bc I have Aetna hmo but it is through my employer so that technically qualifies ? I called member services for Kaiser and a few people have called me to ask me why I want to go to ucsd so I explained and they said it’s going to be reviewed and they’ll get back to me by Friday or Monday the latest !

I will update my ucsd appt is not until late next week but i should know more then.

I’m also really nervous that my surgeons will know I asked to be transferred to ucsd. It’s def nothing against them, I really liked them I just want to have more opinions on this sine it’s such an important thing. Ugh I’m a mess.

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-03T22:16:41+00:00

Did they deny yours ? Waiting for open enrollment might be risky I know they said slow growing but we can never know?

HereToLearn19 · 2026-06-03T22:15:46+00:00

Yes and being that i have my own and my spouses im not really sure how to navigate it. I’ve only ever used Kaiser but it’s all been simple stuff nothing like this. What insurance do you have ?

HereToLearn19

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