Hi Barbee,

I have a similar story as far as ORN goes. I needed all my teeth extracted due to treatment, but it was not covered by Medicare. The oral surgeon in the cancer center did it for charity, but I was charged by the anesthesiologist, who I worked out a payment plan, but somewhere along the line, probably when I changed hospitals, i stopped making payments, and just remembered it as I write. I think they write it up as a loss. As a result from surgery, I developed ORN, and need further surgery, sequestromy, to heal the wound, which didn't work either.

I asked for more HBOT, and Pentofoxilline/Vitamin E, but the surgeon said it was already late stage ORN, there are three stages at one society, four another, so I had a mandibulectomy, which I needed additional surgery for the leg wound.

As far as medicare goes, you may have to appeal any denials. I was also reading into teeth extractions surgically, which may be covered if it’s done by other than a dentist, but at this point of time, four years, I forget all the particulars. There is a medicare ruling on this, if you want to look it up or may have posted here in 2014.

I hope this helps.





10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs