Marina del Rey Spine Surgeon Launches Nonprofit to Help Uninsured

Patients without health insurance who suffer spinal disorders may be eligible to receive free care from a Marina del Rey doctor through his nonprofit, Back To You.

Dr. Hooman Melamed, an orthopedic surgeon, will select one patient a month who cannot afford medical care to receive free treatment for ailments including tumors, scoliosis, degenerative disc disease and cervical and lumbar spine disorders.

“There are so many people who do not have access to spine treatment for one reason or another so I launched Back To You to offer them hope,” said Dr. Melamed in a statement. “With so many new forms of treatment including minimally invasive surgical techniques that weren’t available even a year ago, I feel confident that we will meet our goal of bringing pain-free lives to those now suffering.”

Patients wishing to be considered for the free treatment should submit a description of their condition, how it affects their lives and what they hope to gain from treatment. A panel will evaluate the requests and choose a patient. 

Dr. Melamed, who  launched his nonprofit on Wednesday, said that more than 60 million Americans will be diagnosed with serious spine conditions this year, which will cost an estimated $40 billion, making it the third most expensive health cost after heart disease and cancer. 

He practices at Disc Sports and Spine Center, located at 13160 Mindanao Way, Suite 300 in Marina del Rey. Visit www.thespinepro.com for more information. To submit a petition to request free care, emai backtoyounonprofit@gmail.com.