Raytel?

[JCDavis81]

Hey all,

Does anyone use Raytel's home testing service? This is what duke med recommended for me and my insurance has agreed to cover it. Apparently, instead of buying the testing machine you "rent" it from them and pay a monthly service charge. You also have to call in and report your INR levels to their service when you test it.

I did a search for it in the forum and didn't find much. If anybody has heard about this service or has used it yourself, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

best,
Joe

 

[Christina]

Re: Raytel...

Re: Raytel...

I have been using the Protime machine for almost 5 years now but didn't use Raytel to obtain/buy the machine. Five years ago we hadn't heard of Raytel yet, so I bought from QAS. (ITT) I have used Raytel's Protime supplies for several years as they are more reasonably priced than QAS. I have tried several times with QAS's help, to have my insurance cover the machine and supplies, but was always denied, so I have to go where it is the cheapest to save some money.

"You also have to call in and report your INR levels to their service when you test it."

I personally would feel quite uncomfortable doing the above as I do the dosing myself and have been for the past 4 years. It is scary thing to be in the hands of a doctor/nurse who hasn't got a clue as how to monitor a Coumadin patient. Ask our very own Al Lodwick. He's got some horror stories to tell you as he's run a Coumadin clinic for years.

 

[Karlynn]

It's the weekend, so not as many people stop by, but I think we do have some members who use the Raytel testing program. I also by my ProTime supplies from them and they are in the process of getting approval from my insurance for a new INRatio machine and supplies. My insurance considers Raytel "in network" so I only pay 10% after deductible.

Since you are new to INR testing, it might not be such a bad idea to do it under a supervised program like Raytel's. After you get your sea legs, you may find it a bit constricting.

If your insurance agreed to cover it, I'd jump on it. Home testing is definitely the way to go.

 

[JCDavis81]

Thanks for the info girls...

I had heard everyone talk about INRatio and Protime and such in the past but had never heard of raytel, it's nice to know they're not necesssarily the new kids on the block.

So far they've been great. Dr. Jaggers' patient advocate spoke directly to the raytel guy that covers duke -- she also talked to the local CIGNA person. The day I got out of the hospital, raytel had already been in contact with me and fed ex'd my machine to the Virgin Islands the next day. Now it's down there waiting for me.

Apparently, CIGNA won't cover the home testing costs for the first 90 days; so to make it palatable for customers Raytel backloads the payments so I have to pay as little as possible out of pocket for the first three months. I think I have to pay 95 dollars total and then on 3/1/06 CIGNA will kick in and begin picking up the whole thing. I had really been dreading this whole process, but it's gone smoothly so far. Hope that continues (knock of wood!)

Yeah, I was a bit worried about calling in my readings to some service, but Jaggers has aggreed to have his office manage my INR until I return to durham in January. While I have to call raytel and tell them what my ratio is, I'll also call Jaggers and compare their advice on dosage.

It's such a brand new world to me. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it soon, but ratios, testing, dosing...blech. Oh well, at least I'm clicking

 

[Blanche]

My dear one has had the ProTime monitor since early 2001. Medicare did not cover home prothrombin testing at the time so he paid for his own machine and supplies, which he still does. A few years ago, we began using Raytel Cardiac for ProTime supplies. Their prices were much less than other suppliers and their service is just great.
Blanche

 

[Natanni]

Home Testing

Home Testing

We don't know much about Raytel, but Nathan went with QAS for ordering his INRatio and supplies. Nathan had his AVR at the end of Sept, and we ordered it immediately (after one failed attempt with a company called 'bloodrights') via credit card. Our insurance company reimbersed within a couple of weeks, so we were very lucky in that aspect. Nathan brought it with to his coumadin clinic and tested with their Pro Time for about a month, and things have been going very well. His dosing is by his INRatio's INR. We are still working out the details as far as running the strips through QAS/Insurance. We wanted him to be very comfortable with home testing before he returned to work (UPS driver, live in a rather remote area and hours not accomodating to the clinic)

Good Luck with your home testing!!

 

[Dennis S]

Raytel

Raytel

Thanks for the info girls...

I had heard everyone talk about INRatio and Protime and such in the past but had never heard of raytel, it's nice to know they're not necesssarily the new kids on the block.

So far they've been great.


Raytel has been great for me. I had my AVR on August fourth of this year. They got my insurance company to pay for my machine after they had already told me it wouldn't be covered. I live in a remote mountain area of Northern New Mexico and was worried abot getting my testing supplies in a timely manner. Raytel has always fed-exed my supplies whenever I call and ask for more. All supplies have been delivered within 36 hours or less. They provided telephone access to a nurse who gladly jumped in to answer all my questions while I was figuring out home-testing. I have felt like they took me under their wing from my first contacts with them. They made things easy at a time when I really needed their help and their expertise.

As far as I am concerned, you can't be in better hands.