As adults age, it’s very common that the loss of space between the neck’s cervical vertebrae may begin to wear down – causing cervical disc degeneration. These cervical discs begin to collapse and bulge; they may become herniated, or, even compress nerves within the neck affecting one’s shoulders, arms, hands or legs.
News Archives - Page 7 of 7 - Michigan Head & Spine Institute Blog
This year’s holiday party honored a beloved colleague, husband and father – Dr. Daniel Pieper who passed away in May of 2015. He left behind his beloved colleagues and his wife Donna, his children Stephanie, Lindsey, Brett, John Paul, and Michelle. His family is the ultimate legacy, the loving husband and father.
His fellow physicians at Michigan Head and Spine Institute, the staff he worked closely with for several decades and colleagues throughout Beaumont Hospital and St. John Providence Health System continue to grieve at the loss of a friend. Dr. Perez-Cruet, on behalf of these colleagues shares, “Dan will forever be in our hearts and on our minds – he’s made an indelible mark on each of us personally and professionally. He was an extraordinary neurosurgeon, husband, father and friend.”
As many of his colleagues share, he was an outstanding neurosurgeon who positively changed the lives of his patients. He was one of a very few of neurosurgeons in the United States who through his expertise for treating peculiar and complicated brain tumors, created techniques and developed instruments he used to treat these difficult tumors. He’s left a legacy of medical expertise to his students and fellow neurosurgeons.
Dr. Pieper also changed the lives of many individuals in foreign countries, particularly the mission trips to the Davao City, Mindanoa, in the southern Philippines. Judith Hack, his long-time nurse and co-pilot on these trips shares there was a great need for neurosurgical/craniofacial assistance for the repair of Meningioencephaloceles, which is a congenital facial anomaly. Dr. Pieper donated his time and skills so that these patients would not be forced to live with severe facial disfigurement.
Patients frequently have many questions regarding insurance coverage and billing. Because each person’s insurance coverage is different, we’ve asked Melissa Riemer, billing department manager, for a few general tips to help patient’s better understand their bills:
- When reviewing the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance carrier, match it up to the bill or receipt for same date of service. Doing so will ensure the EOB is addressing the service provided, thus reducing confusion about the service.
- If you know your copays and deductibles, the bill will make more sense and you’ll know what to expect will be your portion of payment in advance and then when receiving the bill.
- Understanding when your specific insurance requires an authorization or a physician referral prevents appointments needing to be rescheduled. By the time you receive the bill, the insurance company has already approved the visit or procedure reducing phone calls back to the insurance company.
- To prevent bills from aging and causing debt issues for our patients, when you pay a bill that sum is applied to the oldest service date first. This keeps your account in a more current status.
- If you should you have difficulty paying your balance, don’t ignore the invoice. Contact the Billing Department at 248-869-3981 sooner than later. By doing so it is easier to set up a payment plans that work for everyone.
Just like you, the Billing staff does its best to keep up with changes to your current insurance policies, coverages and payment plans. As a patient, it is important you know what your policy covers, including copays and deductibles, this helps prevents the anxiety of unexpected financial obligations.
Michigan Head & Spine Institute welcomes two new doctors!
Congratulations to Richard D. Fessler, M.D., and Fernando G. Diaz, M.D., Ph.D., neurosurgeons of Michigan Head & Spine Institute, as they were listed in HOUR Detroit’s 2015 Top Doc issue.
What a great event! Each year Dr. Holly Gilmer joins her past patients and their families and answers questions about Chiari. The Conquer Chiari Walk Across America is a series of local awareness and fundraising walks held the same day. This year’s event was on Sept. 19 at Stoney Creek Metropark. The walk is about three miles.
Dr. Gilmer was thrilled to be the guest speaker for the Michigan Chiari-Conquer Chiari Walk. Money raised goes to fund Chiari research, education and awareness programs. For more information about future walks and events, check out the Conquer Chiari Walk Across America website
To learn what Chiari Malformation is and how it’s treated, click here.
Are you a weekend warrior? With summer in full swing, many are anxious to hit the links, court, trails, lake and their own back yard. Remembering to take care of your back will help you continue to enjoy these activities all season long.