Despite numerous appeals, my current HMO, CDPHP, will not cover the NA that successfully straightened my little finger PIP contracture. From the letter in response to my appeal:

"After review of the submitted documentation, I uphold the previous determination. I am unable to certify the medical necessity for coverage of needle aponeurotomy for treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. There is insufficient evidence in the scientific medical literature to show that this treatment is as effective as standard treatment modalities. The treatments are therefore not considered reasonable, necessary, and customary and coverage is therefore excluded as explained on page 70 of the GE Medical Care Options Handbook"

I am planning to switch to a plan that covers NA in the next open enrollment period. Among my options in the Albany, NY area are MVP and Blue Cross. It might be helpful to start a list of plans that cover NA on this forum for those who have multiple plans to choose from. Is anyone interested in this?

ladwil

Albany, NY
CDPHP
NA is not covered

I agree with Steve. Medicare and my Anthem Blue Cross supplemental covered my NA, therefore it was obviously "considered reasonable, necessary, and customary. Others have fought with their insurance companies on this and won, but it is actually the insurance companies that win because of the low cost vs. surgery. Steve has a point about the doctor owned insurance. Maybe some of the owners do the surgery. Hmmmm!
Can you send them a comparison of costs. NA is so-ooooooo much less costly than surgery.

If you are on Facebook, I recommend that you become a fan of www.dupuytrenfoundation.org (at least that's what I think I did.) Anyway, the information that is on http://dupuytrenfoundation.blogspot.com/ comes right to my Facebook page.

The posts of the blogspot may also be seen by my Facebook friends. It's another way to spread the word about Dupuytren Foundation and the disease. Besides, it's one less place to go read the latest updates since updates are right there on FB.