I received this message from my mom (71 yr old) and I wanted to see if there is anything we can do: “There is a problem with my surgery being paid for by my insurance. The insurance company wants me to go to a COE Center of Excellence place 46.7 miles away to do my surgery with their surgeons or they won’t pay. Even though my doctor and Hospital is in network. And they have been paying claims to my doctor. The SMS Specialist Management Solutions person says there is a very slight chance that they will let me stay with my doctor. But since they make people travel 600 miles chances are slim. This is to do any Spine, neck, hips or Knee surgery. Inpatient or outpatient surgeries. They did tell me not to cancel my appointments until they say. I have a bunch of appointments.”

The surgery is needed because my mom is bone on bone in her knee. She has had a previous surgery botched in her back in her 40s that caused permanent damage, and she just got comfortable with the idea of this doctor. I would appreciate any advice!

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