Turned down for MRI because I'm not old enough...

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inkredibull

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I'm 21. My physician referred me for an MRI but the insurance said I'm not old enough, and they only do it in cases where there is a traumatic injury. Any suggestions? I'm thinking I have a herniated disc. Here's the problem:

Lower back pain for 4 years...
I know exactly how I injured it - it was on one of those lateral pulldown machines at the gym, I tried to pull too much weight. My back has been sore since, especially when doing physical activity and it hurts more when I bend down.

Thx
 
I guess it just depenRAB on insurance companies. With my insurance my daughter was able to have an mri at the age of 15 for her spondylolistheisis. I hope you get the tests that you need. cas
 
Absolutely right, and if they turn down the appeal, ask what the next rung on the ladder is. There's a chain to go up. Don't let them get away with this ridiculosity!

Emily
 
Have your doctor write the insurance company. It seems rather silly there's a limit, probably the insurance company's way of trying to get out of paying for certain things. :rolleyes:
 
HI,
This is so upsetting to me, I am disabled for this very reason!!! Don't let them get away with this. I started back in 98 with pain in my legs & feet, several Dr.'s thought I had MS but the insurance co. denied an MRI of my spine, I didn't have symptoms that were serious enough for my age to warrent an MRI of my spine, they said. Well my back pain didn't start until 2002, in 03 I had back surgery and by then the damage was already done! I now take 14 pills a day to try to live with the permanent nerve pain I have.

Don't let them put you on the road to permanent damage.

The reason I post on this board is to help people avoid the things that led me to being disabled at 41, I'm 46 now and how I wish I could it over again. I would have fought if I had to go to court to get that MRI back then.

I hope you get the help you need.

God Bless

Carol
 
I'm 28 and just had an my first MRI at the beginning of the month. I had to go to the emergency room and almost demand that I needed one. I found out that one of my worst nightmares to come true. I have 7 herniated discs, DDD on every vertebrae, and several other problems that I really do not understand. I had X-Rays done first so I guess that would be a good idea too. I always just dealt with the pain and never though it could be as serious as it is. Get that MRI now and start dealing with the diagnosis ASAP.
 
When an insurance group denies to cover something, the patient has a right to APPEAL that decision. Appeal it, along with having your doctor write a formal letter for the need of the MRI.

That is ridiculous. You are not too young. Good luck
 
People are right: you and your DR can appeal their decision. Many times insurance would deny something because of their rules, Dr can help you with it, they know how to work this out.
Please, take care of it now, while you are still young and don't get descouraged.

Good luck to you!:angel:
 
If you need to hire yourself an attorney, you are paying for insurance and it is their job to treat you. If you doc orders an MRI, they need to do it. No where in their insurance handbooks does it say you must be age so and so for an MRI. Give me a break. :mad:
 
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