Stem Cell Clinic

Bait and Switch – Stem Cell Treatments and Insurance …

I was astonished when I saw a press release from a new medical provider in California that trumpeted their orthopedic stem cell and platelet procedures were covered by Medicare and most PPO insurance companies. To the best of my knowledge, all platelet and stem cell procedures done on an outpatient basis are not covered by any health insurance company, and especially not by Medicare. So I went back to my billing folks and asked them if anything had changed regarding coverage for the procedures. When they said no, I then researched it myself to be certain that my people were giving me accurate information, which re-affirmed that my assumptions were true.

So, being the curious guy I am, I called the operation who was advertising on the web and in the press release and was told that the procedure was in fact covered by many insurance companies, however they could only confirm coverage after reviewing the benefits of my plan. I explained that I had Medicare with a supplemental and was told that they would have to look into the coverage details of my secondary supplemental benefits. In any case, I would have to pay out of pocket for the kit that would be used for the marrow draw to obtain my stem cells, but the actual injection may be covered. The young lady suggested that I make an appointment for a consultation with the doctor and they would then advise me what was covered and what was not.

It is apparent to me that either this operation is billing fraudulently or is running a bait and switch with patients. The old used car sales philosophy of get them in the door and we will get as much as we can from the client seems to be their method of operation. This is very upsetting to me as we have had several candidates wanting to undergo our procedures insist that it was covered by their insurance.

I want to assure our patients that we will accurately and ethically bill Medicare and other insurance carriers for all procedures that are covered by their policies. We also continuously monitor all changes, especially of procedures that are currently considered experimental or investigational and are not covered. It is unfortunate that some physicians participate in insurance fraud as it reflects poorly on the entire medical profession. Health Link Medical Center and Regenexx maintains the highest standard of patient care and integrity. We are here to serve our patients with the worlds most advanced biological cellular therapies for orthopedic conditions.

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Bait and Switch - Stem Cell Treatments and Insurance ...

BACK IN ACTION: Stem Cell Knee Procedure Gets Middle Aged Athlete Back On Slopes, Court – SpaceCoastDaily.com

REGENERATIVE MEDICINE STEM CELL THERAPY

DR. JOHN HERMANDORFER, above left, harvested cells from Giles Malones left tibia, and injected these into Malones left knee. As Giles Malone, above on the ski slopes of Utah in January, sprinted into his 50s, he began noticing that his knees were getting sore with his active lifestyle. Unfortunately, the years finally decided it was payback time for all that stress on his knees.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA As Giles Malone sprinted into his 50s, he began noticing that his knees werent keeping up with his active lifestyle.

Malone, a partner/owner with Maverick Multimedia and Brevard Productions, is an avid weekend make it weekday warrior who cant get enough of skiing, tennis and golf and working out at the gym.

The avid athlete played soccer for Bristol City youth in England and at the University of Louisiana.

He was an intergral part of the coaching staff with Florida Techs soccer team, which won two NCAA championships. Unfortunately, the years finally decided it was payback time for all that soccer on his knees.

My left knee would be sore after working out several days in a row, said Malone. I have lots of mileage on that knee.

Giles Malone, (#8) was an avid athlete playing soccer for Bristol City youth in England, Cocoa Beach High School and at the NCAA Div. 1 University of Louisiana. He helped coach Florida Techs soccer team to two NCAA championships. Unfortunately, the years finally decided it was payback time for all that stress on his knees.

His 85-year-old father has had both knees replaced, and his 61-year-old brother has gone through the procedure once. Malone wanted to stave off, or possibly nix altogether, the possibility of a knee replacement, so he turned to treatment that is less invasive and much more holistic.

Being familiar with the success stories from the many people who have received treatment from Dr. Hermansdorfer, I opted to go the route of stem cell therapy, said Malone. This could save my knees later in life.

Malone was also impressed that Dr. John Hermansdorfer, who has a well-deserved reputation of excellence in traditional orthopedic procedures, would be handling his case.

The fact that these physicians with stellar reputations believe in stem cell therapy, tells me that this is a really viable option, said Malone.

Hermansdorfer has done extensive research on regenerative medicine.

Hermansdorfer, a 1982 graduate of the University of Kentucky Medical School, completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Florida and received fellowship training in hand surgery at the Indiana Center for Surgery and Rehabilitation of the Hand in Indianapolis.

DR. JOHN HERMANSDORFERs treatment was performed in conjunction with a knee arthroscopy, a surgical procedure that allows doctors to treat the joint without the need for a large incision. Hermansdorfer debrided damaged cartilage from the patients knee using miniature surgical instruments, at left, inserted through an arthroscope, an instrument about the diameter of a soda straw and fitted with a miniature camera, a light source and precision instruments at the end of flexible tubes.

HIGH OCTANE AMNION CELLS

Recently, Malone underwent the elective procedure, which harvested cells from his tibia, and injected these into his knee.

The treatment was performed in conjunction with a knee arthroscopy, a surgical procedure that allows doctors to treat the joint without the need for a large incision.

Hermansdorfer debrided damaged cartilage from Malones knee using miniature surgical instruments inserted through an arthroscope, an instrument about the diameter of a soda straw and fitted with a miniature camera, a light source and precision instruments at the end of flexible tubes.

It was not just one procedure, but a combination of procedures to obtain optimal results, said Hermansdorfer.

Malone was the perfect candidate for the stem cell procedure in strong physical condition, with the knee in solid shape just lots of mileage.

He is the typical middle-aged athlete, said Hermansdorfer. When they get older, these individuals start to pay the price.

Before the advent of stem cell therapy, options for Malone would have been minimal.

This is a much better option than pills or cortisone shots, which can have a damaging effect over time, said Hermansdorfer.

Malone is not alone in his pain. Joint and spinal pain are a common complaint, and invasive surgery for these issues requires significant downtime with true success often elusive.

BioCellular Therapies regenerative cell treatment, on the other hand, is a kinder, gentler and definitely viable alternative for individuals suffering from osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease or sports injuries.

Regenerative cells repair muscle, tendon, ligament and cartilage and they do it quickly.

There is no question it works, said Hermansdorfer. Research shows good results. It enhances cartilage growth, which allows us to move our joints without pain.

Interest in this type of treatment is so high that individuals from outside the United States have scheduled treatment with BioCellular Therapies, located in Melbourne.

We have had patients from their teens to their 80s, said Hermansdorfer. Its so simple, its so safe.

However, not everyone is an appropriate a candidate as Malone was.

Age of the patient is not an issue, but rather the severity of the problem, said

Hermansdorfer, recounting an 80-plus-year-old patient who was also a perfect candidate because the cartilage in her knee had not yet been worn down beyond repair.

We have to have a reasonable amount of cartilage left.

SPACE COAST DAILY TV MEDICAL SEMINAR SERIES:Dr. Mark Pinsky and Jim Eaker,experts at BioCellular Therapies in Melbourne, Florida, talk with Giles Malone about the revolution in contouring and tightening your face, neck and body; and body rejuvenation, including the Vampire Facelift and Breastlift, and the O-Shot.The pursuit of youth and beauty has become an easier journey along the Space Coast with the introduction recentlyby BioCellular Therapies of the Vivace RF microneedling system, used in conjunction with amnion-based gels and creams for optimum performance in promoting the development of collagen for easing fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin.

RAPID RECOVERY, LITTLE PAIN

For the arthroscopy and stem cell therapy, Malone arrived at Atlantic Orthopedic Surgery at 9 a.m. By noon, he was home. Afterwards, he needed no pain killers other than Tylenol. Although he used a cane for a couple of days, he soon ditched it.

There was little down time, he said.

Because of the arthroscopy component, Malone opted for general anesthesia, but stem cell treatments can be performed in an office setting under a local block.

Six weeks after the procedure, Malone should be back to participating in the sports he loves. The two small incisions required for the arthroscopy already are now invisible. Another of Hermansdorfers patients, a marathon runner, returned to marathons six weeks after receiving the stem cells.

Compare Malones experience with that of a patient undergoing knee replacement surgery. The individual is expected to be on crutches for six weeks. Pain can be significant, too.

Not only is downtime for stem cell therapy almost non-existent, but it is also a quick and painless endeavor. Harvesting and mixing the cells requires minimal time.

It just takes five minutes, said Hermansdorfer.

The cells are reinserted into the patients body through micro-fracturing.

They do tiny holes in the bone so it better accepts the stem cells, explained Malone. I compare it to turning up the soil to better grow plants.

Using the super cells found in the patients own bone marrow optimizes healing and reduces risk. This is so much more natural medicine, said Hermansdorfer.

BioCellular Therapies is at 2290 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Suite 210, Melbourne. For more information on the practices hair restoration services, call 321-435-1505 or visit BiocellularTherapies.com

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BACK IN ACTION: Stem Cell Knee Procedure Gets Middle Aged Athlete Back On Slopes, Court - SpaceCoastDaily.com

Twin Falls multiple sclerosis patients are traveling to get new treatment – Coeur d’Alene Press

TWIN FALLS Over 30 years, Judy Fisher has been left with very few options for treating her multiple sclerosis.

But for the Twin Falls resident, who has the primary progressive form of the disease, theres finally an approved medication she can try.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Ocrevus in March after a large study found it slowed progression of the neurological disease and reduced symptoms. Its approved for both patients who have relapsing and primary progressive forms of MS.

This medicine is really promising, Fisher said.

Its the first FDA-approved medication shown to be effective in treating primary progressive MS. But for months, Magic Valley residents whove wanted to try the new treatment which is delivered intravenously have been forced to travel elsewhere.

Every time theres a new drug on the market, health systems decide whether to add it to its formulary, and that determines whether it will be available to patients.

Dr. John Steffens, a neurologist at St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center, told the Times-News on Thursday he received confirmation Ocrevus will be offered at St. Lukes infusion centers soon.

He has about a dozen MS patients who are receiving the new treatment. Most of them have primary progressive MS, but a few have relapsing form of the disease and havent seen results with other medications.

Theyve been traveling to other health care facilities such as Cassia Regional Hospital, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello and University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City.

Since 1993, 14 drugs have been approved to slow the most common form of MS, but everything tested against primary progressive MS failed until now. An estimated 15 percent of MS patients have the primary progressive form of the disease, Steffens said.

In primary progressive MS, the diseases course varies among patients, but symptoms gradually worsen from the start and there usually are no periods when symptoms subside.

Symptoms are caused by the immune system attacking the fatty coverings on nerves in the brain and spinal cord that protect them, much like insulation on electrical wiring.

As the coverings deteriorate, nerve messages arent properly transmitted, disrupting movement and muscle control.

For years for people who have primary progressive MS, doctors were left to treat symptoms and cross their fingers hoping a new medication would be developed, Steffens said.

Hed also have patients try other MS medications to see if theyd work, but they often didnt.

Fisher was diagnosed with MS in 1988 when she was in her 30s. Now shes 63.

Ive been lucky, she said. I havent progressed fast at all.

The only prescription medication shes taking is a water pill. Weakness in her right side due to MS, she said, hasnt gotten much worse over the years.

Seven years ago, she underwent stem cell treatment in Germany and saw excellent results. For three months, I was darn near perfect, Fisher said. Im still reaping the benefits from it.

But many of the symptoms have returned, she said. I would give anything to do stem cell again, but its too expensive.

At an appointment with Steffens her neurologist a couple of months ago, Fisher expressed interest in Ocrevus.

But it just came out, Fisher said. He said he had like three or four patients now doing it. I am waiting to see what goes on with them.

Will she try Ocrevus? If theres any way I can afford it, you bet I am, Fisher said. Her next neurology appointment isnt until November.

Active in the local MS community, especially with fundraising walks, Fisher said theres a lot she doesnt know about Ocrevus, but she has read about it.

This is big for that type of MS, she said. It has helped even mobility on people and that is what I would be looking for.

Compared to study participants getting dummy infusions, patients given Ocrevus infusions had slower declines in walking ability and slower disability progression over nearly 2 years.

The Ocrevus group also had fewer new brain-damaging lesions develop but slightly higher rates of certain side effects, including upper respiratory tract infections and tumors developing in various parts of the body.

Ocrevus is given intravenously every six months. It takes about half a day to receive treatment, Steffens said. Its a really logistically simple drug to give.

The medication also seems to be well tolerated among patients, he said, and has the fewest side effect warnings among any MS drugs he has encountered.

During a recent follow-up appointment with Steffens first patient who has received treatment, the person is walking better now than in three years, he said.

But he doesnt know if thats a placebo effect or if that will be a sustained benefit.

And the bad news for MS patients, Steffens said: We still have no cure for any form of the disease.

One common dilemma for MS patients can be figuring out how to pay for often-costly treatment.

Ocrevus was developed by Genentech, part of Swiss drugmaker the Roche Group. Genentech, based in South San Francisco, Calif., has said the initial list price without insurance is $65,000 a year.

So far, Steffens hasnt heard of any of his patients having problems getting the treatment covered by insurance.

And with patient assistance programs factored in, too, co-pays are typically less than $100, he said.

We were expecting huge, huge pushback from insurance companies, he said, but that hasnt been the case.

After years of waiting, it means more local MS patients may be able to finally get the help theyve been looking for.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Twin Falls multiple sclerosis patients are traveling to get new treatment - Coeur d'Alene Press

2 patients contract Legionnaires’ Disease at UW Medical Center – KING5.com

Two people contracted a serious type of pneumonia while being treated at UW Medical Center. One of them, a woman in her 20's, died this morning, though health officials say she also had underlying conditions.

Travis Pittman and Heather Graf, KING 12:47 AM. PDT August 26, 2017

Two people contracted Legionnaires' disease at University of Washington Medical Center, King County Public Health announced Friday. One of them died, but officials say it's too early to tell if Legionnaires' was the cause of death.

A man his 40s was reported to have Legionnaires' on Wednesday and is now in the process of being discharged.

A woman in her 20s was reported to have the disease on Thursday and died Friday morning. King County Public Health said the woman was very ill, had multiple underlying conditions. It's not yet known if Legionnaires was a cause of death.

A third UWMC patient, a man his 60s, was also reported on Thursday to have Legionella pneumonia. It's believed he acquired it outside of the hospital.

King County Public Health says there's no evidence to suggest the public is at risk. The department is investigating to see if other patients were affected and the possible source of the infection.

But that's doing little to ease the concerns of patients and their families.

"It's very scary. I'm frightened that I have to keep my child here. But I don't have an option to bring him home, because he's too sick. They need to be a little more urgent in protecting him," said Tammee Ryan.

Ryan's 22-year-old son is a UWMC patient. She says he went through chemotherapy first, followed by a stem cell transplant that left him with a weakened immune system. That's why's she's so worried about Legionnaires'.

"The patients on his floor in the Cascade Tower are very susceptible to any type of illness, due to the fact that they're getting chemo to suppress their immune systems," she said. "He's susceptible to anything."It's a concern the staff atUWMC knows all too well.

After five people were confirmed to have Legionnaire's Disease at the hospital last year, UW Medical Center said it began a "robust Water Management Plan" to prevent future cases. UWMC says, as of July, water samples tested at the hospital did not show any issues in the water system related to Legionella bacteria.

*Installing special water filters in the Cascade Tower, where the patients were being treated

*Temporarily limiting water use on all inpatient units of the Cascade Tower until the filters are installed

*Performing environmental tests

*Additional monitoring and testing of patients

Hospital staff said 150 water filters were installed on Friday in rooms belonging to high-risk patients. More filters are expected to be installed over the weekend.

The CDC says Legionella is found naturally in freshwater environments, like lakes and streams, but it can grow and spread in man-made water systems including hot water tanks and heaters, large plumbing systems, cooling towers used for air conditioning in large buildings, and decorative fountains.

Health officials say one of the biggest challenges is that the bacteria can be difficult to eradicate from water systems.

Symptoms of Legionnaires disease include

*Cough

*Shortness of breath

*Fever

*Muscle aches

*Headaches

2017 KING-TV

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2 patients contract Legionnaires' Disease at UW Medical Center - KING5.com

As Blumen fights cancer, city creates awareness on stem cell donation – Times of India

Chennai has always been upfront when it's about coming together for a good cause. And we've witnessed that many a time in the recent past. Now, its heart beats for Blumen Rajan Sathya, a 27-year-old from Chennai, who's fighting blood cancer and awaiting a stem cell donor. His friends from school and college have come together to put up a signature campaign for this youngster and also raise awareness about stem cell donation, at Grand Mall (Velachery) on Saturday and Sunday. "Thanks to Blumen's friends this was planned only on Wednesday night and they've put together everything in just a matter of two days. Blumen had been quite popular in school and college for he was a state-level athlete, a guitarist, and he made friends with lot of people who're now in different fields, including film and music industry, medicine, media, etc. Now, they're all coming together to support the cause," shares Carolyn Pinky, Blumen's elder sister. Giving more details about the campaign, Carolyn, says, "The main idea behind this signature campaign is to create awareness on cancer and stem cell donation. In fact, there are many people talking about stem cell donation and how it's done during the campaign. As for the funds for his treatment, we are providing a barcode which those interested can use to contribute to the fund. His treatment costs roughly around `40 lakh. And till now, we've already collected `37 lakh." Reiterating the importance of creating awareness on stem cell donation, Dr Girish Subash, who's a close friend of Blumen, says, "Stem cell donation can be done only when the donor is alive, kicking and well, unlike other donations. It's a slightly complicated process, but not harmful in any way to the donor. The awareness we need to create is that stem cell donation is not painful, dangerous or scary. In Blumen's case also, though they are thousands of people coming forward to help him in terms of funds, the number of people who actually came to get the test done for stem cell donation is less. How it's done is that you put cannulas on both hands of the donor and his blood goes through a machine and comes back to the person. It's like an additional loop in the existing blood vessel circuit. And the machine will cultivate the stem cells from the blood directly." Another childhood friend of Blumen, Abishek Rengasamy, says, "We've managed to collect this much money in just a week's time. I am sure we will be able to raise the balance `three lakh in the next two days. So, the idea behind this signature campaign is not to collect money, but create awareness on blood cancer and stem cell donation. I am confident that Blumen will be back completely recovered after the treatment. So, before he left for Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, where he's admitted now, I asked him what he wanted to do after coming back, he said 'I want to completely work for cancer fighters'. So, we don't want to stop this with just helping Blumen, but continue helping others who are needy." Meanwhile, Carolyn says that they are still looking for a donor for Blumen. "We've already had a camp in Chennai looking for donors. Around 200 people gave blood samples. Unfortunately, we couldn't find a perfect match out of that. Only one in a lakh will match with the patient's stem cells. Now, we're waiting to hear from Kolkata. They've found one person from Mumbai whose blood sample also matches with that of Bluman's," shares Carolyn.

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As Blumen fights cancer, city creates awareness on stem cell donation - Times of India