FDA Approval

[Pat Walter]

Dear Mr. Walter:

Does FDA approval of the Birmingham Hip device mean that American insurance
companies (mine..Blue Cross of California) will now pay for resurfacing with
this device ? other devices ? and if so when ? Is the BHR best device ? Will
it take awhile until there are American doctors who will be experienced in
using the BHR ? Thanks, David

[Pat Walter]

Hi David

Since the FDA Approval of the BHR in the US in May 2006, many insurance companies are starting to cover hip resurfacing.  You can see some of the insurance companies Medical Policies here http://www.surfacehippy.info/insuranceappealinfo.php and you can also see that many Surface Hippies have had to fight to get their insurance companies to pay for their surgery. I am sure as time goes on, more insurance companies will start to cover hip resurfacing. 

Some insurance companies will pay for other resurfacing hip devices if the doctors know how to submit the claims.  There are many doctors which have their surgeries covered like Dr. Amstutz, Mont, Gross, etc. and even Dr. De Smet in Belgium.  The insurance companies are each very different in their coverage and you need to talk with your doctor about coverage.

There are now quite a few US doctors that have BHR training. You can see the complete list on the Smith and Nephew Website http://www.birminghamhipresurfacing.com/surgeonlocator/index.cfm?lid=Surgeon_Locator&lpos=sidebar_graphic  I am also slowly adding doctors to my list http://www.surfacehippy.info/listofdoctors.php as they become more experienced.  I have a page which gives the number of hip resurfacings completed for some doctors here http://www.surfacehippy.info/doctorstatistics.php

I am a great believer in choosing a surgeon with experience. I have several studies on my website that explain why experience is important and have written a complete article about choosing a doctor http://www.surfacehippy.info/pcselectingsurgeon.php

I wish you luck with your search for a doctor and hope you can resolve your hip problem soon.

Best of Luck,
Pat