RFN's (Radio Frequency Neurotomies): What Are They and Can They Help Your Pain?
December 8, 2010 | John T. BuchmanRFN’s are a way to treat certain sources of neck and back pain that have not responded to medications, physical therapy, chiropractic care or massage therapy. RFN’s have been used for over 30 years. They have been used more frequently in the last 10 years to treat neck and back pain arising from car crashes. There is a lot of medical literature discussing them and their effectiveness over time. Visit the Mayo Clinic website for more information about it. The RFN treats a damaged “facet” joint(s) in the spinal vertebral column. A damaged joint sends pain messages to the brain along a known nerve pathway. To determine if the facet joint is the cause of the patients pain, a pain killing agent is injected along the nerve with the aid of a fluoroscope on two different trials. If the pain is then relieved, the next step is to interrupt the nerve’s ability to transmit pain signals through the application of heat. This sounds worse than it actually is since I have undergone RFN’s several times myself. A successful RFN procedure will virtually eliminate the patient’s pain for 8-12 months. I have heard my clients explain how relieved they were to finally be without pain. However, the process has to be repeated since the…
Read MoreSmall Town Friendly, Big City Experience and Expertise
November 23, 2010 | Adriel B. VillarrealWhen someone is injured, they can quickly find out that the insurance companies that could not be nicer to them when they paid their premiums, may not be fair in their assessment of an accident. For that reason, Personal Injury attorney John Buchman advises his clients “to not become a victim twice. The first time can’t be helped-something happened to you. Don’t assume that your insurance company will be fair. You can prevent being a victim a second time by hiring a good lawyer. Why wait and hope they might be fair?” Our Minnesota Personal Injury lawyers have experience in may different types of cases and they will work with you to learn everything about your injury. At BGS, you will work directly with an attorney working on your case. You will receive personal attention and be treated like your case is important. We think every case is important because it is important to you. Unlike some large personal injury-only law firms, we take a very personal approach to helping you. We can offer a local, small town friendly feel, but have the experience and expertise to support your case.
Read MoreMedical Insurance Issues: Denial of Claims
November 23, 2010 | Joan M. QuadeAs a former nurse and now a lawyer for over 23 years, I become a little disheartened when I see what I believe are legitimate insurance claims being denied by medical insurance providers. I understand they need to contain costs and ensure that only tests and treatments that are necessary are covered, so that the ever-escalating insurance premiums do not continue to overburden individuals and especially small businesses. But we pay our premiums so that we have the coverage we need, and insurance companies need to be fair. The reality is that the insurance policy is a legal contract between the company and the individual that outlines the responsibilities of both parties. Most insurance companies must pay for the reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the insured and the insured (or her/his employer) must pay the premium. The policy provides for what is, and is not covered, and there are generally exclusions for some things. The contract will sometimes indicate that some procedures, tests or care needs to be preapproved by the insurance company before you incur the cost. Make sure you know what those things are. When in doubt, get preapproval for all expensive tests or referrals. Most people understand that when they have paid their premium, they get health care and…
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