Raytel Cardiac Services

[TickTickTicking]

Anyone familiar with Raytel Cardiac Services? I received a flyer in the mail from them but I'm a little confused. I'm simplifying the flyer/discussion I had with 800 rep but basically it meant to me I would be leasing the testing machine from them versus owning it and they would fax my weekly trends to the doctor for a $15 co-pay after every 4th test. Any input appreciated. I'm familiar with home-testing and I'm still using the ProTime 3 unit purchased a gazillion years ago.

 

[Karlynn]

We have mixed stories about just what Raytel's policies are. When looking for a new monitor to replace my ProTime 3 I called Raytel because I had been purchasing my PT3 cuvettes from them. They told me they do not sell monitors, just do the program that you described. Then someone here recently said Raytel told them they'd sell them a monitor. I wasn't "down" with the whole calling in my INR each week and having it faxed to my doctor because I've been handling my own dosing (with cardio's approval) for several years now.

 

[catwoman]

Like Karlynn, I wouldn't want to switch to a service in which I lease a monitor and call in my results. Too many middle men getting involved, and I know that **my** PCP understands warfarin, but not all of his colleagues do. It's a big practice, and I'd hate for paperwork on my INRs to get lost in the shuffle.

 

[Marty]

Raytel is a good outfit and I purchase my supplies from them. However I also did not want to get involved in that deal where I had to call in my results to Lord knows who and then get instructions. I bought my monitor and and let my GP know how I'm doing once a year.After years of taking warfarin and learning from Ross and others at this website I think the patients that do the best are those that take responsibility for their own ACT as soon as possible. I purchased my INRatio monitor from QAS at a very good price. However I found Raytel better for routine purchase of supplies as to billing, delivery, some one to talk to, etc.

 

[Blanche]

We have used Raytel for supplies for four years now. Last month we purchased the INRatio monitor and 24 strips for $1683.00, which includes shipping. We chose Raytel because their price for strips was much less than other suppliers. We have found their customer reps to be helpful and well informed. Supplies have always been received in two days. Actually, our new monitor was also received in two days.

I am told that it has always been Raytel's policy to provide monitors for those customers who pay for their own monitors. They stopped dealing with most insurance companies some time ago. I am assuming there were problems with payment. However, if someone wishes to, they can pay for the monitor and supplies and tender the bill to their insurance for payment. Of course, they should be sure that their insurance company covers home monitors and supplies.

I remember back about 10 years when we had to pay for our medical needs, doctors, pharmacy, etc. and submit the bills to the insurance for payment. In the days before HMOs, most doctors did not bill insurance nor did the pharmacies.

Medicare covers home testing for people who have mechanical valves. However, with Medicare the patient does not own the monitor. The monitor is "loaned" to the patient who pays some sort of copayment for the supplies.
The patient must call a phone number and report INR results one per week.
All of the companies that sell monitors to home testers have this type plan and it is also available to people who are covered by insurance or wish to pay for their own anticoagulation.

Hope this information helps. There are several companies who provided these services. It's important to choose the one that best serves your needs.

Regards,
Blanche

 

[Dennis S]

The Raytell system

The Raytell system

I am definitely a person who values his independence and values his own opinion, especially on important matters such as my proper warfarin dosage. Even before I had my surgery, my reading of this forum convinced me that I would get a better answer from my “internet friends” than many Drs. And time has confirmed those initial opinions.

Despite all of this, I am a big fan of the way Raytel handles home testing. Here’s why:

1. I am a strong believer in home-testing, and therefore favor policies which enhance the chances of other people to home-test. To have insurance help to cover the costs of home testing, you need the initial prescription (and perhaps the enthusiastic support) of your Dr. If there is a system in place where your Dr. has some assurance that a medical professional is going to see the results of your home testing, you have gone a long ways towards assuring him/her that they have fulfilled their responsibilities to you as far as INR testing is concerned.
2. It is true that Raytell requires you to call in your weekly results. This is the easiest call you will ever make. All you need to do is call the toll free number which answers 24/7 and punch in your numbers. I believe it takes about 45 seconds for me, certainly less than a couple of minutes. You are never on hold, and the phone is automatically answered.
3. I don’t see calling in the results as a waste of time. I do keep my own records of test results, but I wouldn’t have to, as all my results are stored with my other medical records at my nurse practitioner’s office. I can think of many scenarios where this could turn out to be invaluable.
3. You get to pick, and change, which Dr. gets your results. I have a good relationship with my nurse practitioner, who trusts my judgement. I trust hers as well, and we are not on the phone bothering each other. But, If I wasn’t happy with how it was working, I would call Raytell and change to someone else. They don’t seem to care who, as long as your choice is qualified.
4. I don’t own the monitor, but if your insurance pays the cost (as mine does) that is a good thing. If I have a problem with the monitor Raytell has leased to me, I intend to tell Raytell to fix or replace their monitor. Maybe it would turn out to be more complicated than that, but I know for sure who gets stuck with repair/replacement cost if I own the monitor.
5. Finally, as I have often said, I live on a primitive mountain road. The closest my mail gets to me is a mile away. But Raytell sends my supplies by Fed Ex, and they are delivered to my door. In the two years I have required supplies, I have never waited more than 72 hours for their delivery.

All things considered, I think it is a great system.

 

[Marty]

Quite a testimonial, Dennis. Maybe I was too afraid of "government" intervention.

 

[catwoman]

Dennis:

When you lease the machine, you automatically are enrolled in the program you described. If you buy the machine, it's different.

I **may** get a new machine in another year and will probably go with an INRatio, because of the replaceable batteries. I've only had 1 problem with my ProTime 3, and that was 1 year after purchase and while it was still under the extended warranty.
However, I would prefer one with replaceable batteries.

Our insurance is changing Jan. 1 to Aetna. Haven't decided whether to go with HMO version or a similar version of what I have now (self-referral). Seems that Aetna prefers to rent DME equipment if it's cheaper in the long run than purchasing it.

 

[maggiemay]

raytel cardiac home testing

raytel cardiac home testing

Dennis, I have just heard from my ins. that they have approved my home testing device. I am almost certain they said it would be purchased for the price of $1,900. I don't know if that will include strips. I find it odd that they never mentioned leasing, as a matter of fact it took me about 31/2 months to someone who would assist me properly. I understand they were in some sort of merging process as was my ins. co. so probaly just bad timing at both ends. I am very excited about this and I am sure will need everyones expert advice. Will keep you posted. Thanks everyone for being there in time of need. Maggiemay

 

[Hank]

INR Monitoring Services

INR Monitoring Services

I don't really know much about Raytel for better or for worse.

I do know that QAS has the same type of service which I am pretty sure never costs you anything. I have used it for years.

Here is the link:

http://www.ppmservice.com/

Anything that assists us in being home testers and being empowered and involved in our own INR monitoring is a good thing....

 

[TickTickTicking]

Thanks for the feedback

Thanks for the feedback

Thank you all for the feedback. Dennis, Raytel should use you as a client testimonial! Thanks for sharing your experience. As I mentioned, I already have a PT3 machine which I've had forever. I just got laid off from my job in July and I'm paying for my insurance through COBRA now ... I have a sneaky suspicion, I wouldn't get approved for a new machine but it won't hurt to try. I've also requested more info from QAS (thanks Hank).

 

[Dennis S]

I tend to write about the things that interest me, or that I appreciate. I had some nice exchanges with my surgeon after he set me up with home monitoring.

I once wrote a letter to St. Judes, expressing my gratitude for their work. I did spend some time on the letter, and it was from the heart. To my surprise, I got a package from St. Judes with all kinds of little trinkets. They weren't valuable, but I enjoy having them. They said it was very unusual to get a letter of that type, and they really appreciated it.

I wrote a similar letter of appreciation to Raytel. They liked part of it, and asked if they could use it and my picture (for free-they were very clear about no compensation of any kind). I decided I believed the words of my letter, and signed a paper allowing them to use whatever part of it they wanted. If you know where to look I believe it is still out there somewhere. That is the full story of any involvement between me and Raytel. I guess you could say they liked the testimonial--as long as it was free! And, I have never had occasion to regret having given my permission.

 

[Lynlw]

When Justin had his pacemaker, we did the phone checks for a few years thru Raytel and I really liked them. Justin was in middle school and high school and they were always good about changing the times/days if he had something to do and were very good about getting right to the doctor if they picked up anything that looked different.

 

[just1gary]

I've only been home testing for a year using the Raytel service and like Dennis I've had little or no problems using them. There are a couple of caveats though, my medical insurance pays for this service (I only make $15 co-payments) and my cardiologist highly recommended doing the home testing.

I did call Raytel and asked if I could buy the (new) INRatio machine that I am presently using and was told that the cost would be approximately $750 this year and would drop more next year. When I inquired about the price it was in 2006 so I'm not sure if this offer is still true today or if their policies have changed but I was curious if it would be worthwhile to own it outright.

I would easily recommend using Raytel but it would depend on how much out of pocket expense there is for you. Due to my medical insurance coverage I am presently planning to stay with them. Down the road, that may change when I feel more confident doing my own dosing and/or if I change medical insurance plans.

 

[Karlynn]

and my cardiologist highly recommended doing the home testing.

I just LOVE it when I see these kind of comments! Music to my ears.

 

[maggiemay]

inr tester

inr tester

I did receive my hometester only a few weeks and Raytel worked with my ins.and they finally did purchase it for me outright. Raytel did say that when they purchase the machine it is up to me to report my inr to my dr. myself, and I have to maintaine the machine myself. I did have to have a dr. to write a script for this and already has a few patients with the same tester.