The Role of Insurance Coverage in the La Grande Back Surgery or Non-Surgical Care Choice
“Back surgery is one of the most overused types of surgery as well as the most common ailment that sends patients to doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists,” reports Crain’s Detroit Business magazine’s article called Health Insurers Look for Ways to Cut Costs with Back Surgery. What a way to begin an article! It continues:
- $90 billion on low back pain alone a year
- 1.2 million spinal surgeries a year
- $60,000 to $110,000 per lumbar fusion surgery (the fastest-growing type of surgery in the past decade)
The back surgery failure rate, the so-called “failed back syndrome” or the more “politically correct” term “post-surgical continued pain syndrome,” may be as high as 50%. (1) With healthcare spending in the US exceeding $3.5 trillion - $10,739 a person – it’s no wonder that insurers seek another way to cut costs, particularly when one-third of the money goes to hospital care of chronic illnesses. (2) Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC is well-equipped and confident in offering non-hospital-based care to help La Grande back pain – chronic and acute – patients find relief of and handle their back pain – as well as post-surgical continued back pain - without surgery.
LOW BACK PAIN FACTS
Low back pain is the foremost reason of years lived with disability globally. Today, recommendations for low back pain relief care discourage pain medications, steroid injections and spine surgery and encourage physical therapy and psychological therapy. Healthcare systems are apt to struggle with these novel approaches. Why? Pharmaceutical companies’ financial interests, old payment systems that favor medical care, outdated traditions, and legal, personal, political, and societal beliefs of us all. These concepts are shared in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization, believe it or not. (3) Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC reads this with interest.
BACK SURGERY CHOICE
Considering these facts, it’s not hard to believe that some back pain sufferers will pick back surgery over non-surgical care of their back pain. “Patients go where insurance pays, even if it is surgery.” In one study, back pain sufferers made the choice to see a primary care physician (PCP) or physical therapist (PT) or chiropractor first based on their health plan type, co-payment, and deductible. Amending these things to make them more valuable/less expensive/less restrictive as to provider type could inspire low back pain sufferers to choose non-hospital, conservative treatment instead of back surgery. (4) Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC likes this! Less than 1% of back pain sufferers require back surgery. (5) Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC is prepared to assist the other 99% of the La Grande back pain sufferers cope with their back pain and rework their lifestyles to live with the spine they have and cope with its episodes of pain and relief.
RECURRENT BACK PAIN
La Grande back pain sufferers are not alone if their back pain comes back. It happens. It’s controllable. It’s manageable. Some facts first: Within a year of recovery, 69% of patients experienced another episode of back pain of some sort. Awkward postures, long sitting times, and more than 2 prior back pain experiences trigger the risk of back pain recurrence. (6) It is ok though. Truly! Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC helps La Grande back pain patients navigate these recurrences and deal with them so they don’t limit anyone’s enjoyment of life. We have a treatment plan!
CONTACT Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
Listen to Dr. Kimble Cater on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson share how he helped an expectant mother with her repeated episodes of back pain. Whether you are pregnant or not, La Grande chiropractic care at Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC can help you cope with repeated episodes of back pain, too.
Schedule a La Grande chiropractic appointment at Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC for back pain relief. Our care is not overused! The gentle, effective, evidence-based system of Cox® Technic look for 50% relief within 4-6 weeks of care and often delivers 70%, 80%, 90% and more for many of our patients at less cost – in terms of finances and lifestyle – than back surgery.
