Hey Lammie, thx for your kind words and also letting me know about the link. We've had several folks from Boeing pass through here (one donated his super-duper home computer system to this foundation) and are good people and may be able to help you. Also, you and I can talk offline (pls email pr PM me your # and I'll call you in the next 3-5 days).
In the meantime, if you search the Aetna site, you'll find some helpful information:
Clinical Policy Bulletin:
Intervertebral Disc Prostheses
http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/500_599/0591.html
And others as well:
Spinal Surgery: Laminectomy and Fusion
Aetna considers cervical laminectomy (may be combined with an anterior approach) medically necessary for individuals with a herniated disc when all of the following criteria are met:
http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/700_799/0743.html
Back Pain - Invasive Procedures
Aetna considers any of the following injections or procedures medically necessary for the treatment of back pain; provided, however, that only one invasive modality or procedure will be considered medically necessary at a time.
http://www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/1_99/0016.html