Update

[Gnusgal]

Well, I had a quick phone call from my EP doc today... Less than great news. She says that after reviewing my information, she doesn't feel like she would be able to convince my insurance to pay for an ICD with the data we have right now. So she wants more tests done. I'm supposed to pick up a holter monitor next week. I have no idea how this will help, since there isn't an immediate need for an ICD, it is supposed to be a PRECAUTION, according to the ACHD doc... ARG!

I'm debating on if I should page my cardio to try talking to her and let her know the latest tonight, or just try getting in touch with her tomorrow... I know I won't end up hearing from her tomorrow, which will mean I'll end up paging her tomorrow night, and I'm supposed to be spending the evening with my father-in-law...

I'm getting the feeling this won't be happening after all... I'll let you know.

 

[Abbanabba]

What a bummer! If the ICD isn't needed right now can approval from the insurance company and the tests wait? (..I know nothing about these sorts of things..)

Probably wouldn't hurt to have a chat with you cardio. Maybe if you page her tonight you might be able to talk with her tomorrow.

I hope you can get something sorted.

All the best
Anna : )

 

[Karlynn]

Page her.

Waiting is stressful and the last thing you need is more stress.

Thinking of you. Stay strong.

 

[Gnusgal]

I went ahead and paged her. She says that she thinks the EP is probably looking for just any kinds of ventricular abnormalities (like PVCs), to show that my heart COULD be on the road to worse ventricular arrythmias. So maybe it will work after all. I have PVCs all the time. But I also mentioned that I had a holter back in late September and I wondered if that one would work. She said I should mention it to the EP, and if they wanted it she would send the results over to them... Okay, so I'm not as paranoid about it as I was. It may still be possible for me to get the ICD. I'll let you know.

 

[Karlynn]

Niki, I'm glad you went ahead and called. You sound a lot like me and the way I process things. After the initial I settle down a bit and find a more productive way to get my concerns addressed.

 

[gijanet]

I'm glad you called, too!

I'm glad you called, too!

What your card says makes sense, so, hopefully, that's all it is. Did you find out anything else, or were you too stunned by the other news to ask? Please keep us posted and, as always, you're in our prayers.

 

[MichyB]

Niki ... I had to read your other posts for background on this but how frustrating!!!! It seems like this was the first time or one of the first few times you've gone to this EP? I think that a really good doc often surrounds himself/herself with excellent staff to deal with the insurance bs. and I would find out more information on this.

Is it the case that the EP doc doesn't think you need the ICD (forgive me but what does this stand for?) or that he/she doesn't think that insurance will pay for the ICD? Huge difference. I would ask for clarification from the EP on that point. Sometimes, if the docs start getting questioned by the patient and realize that they are saying that you do need what they are suggesting, they will start calling or writing the insurance company for you.

On two occassions recently my docs had to call the insurance co because I need pre-approval for certain things and the insurance co was refusing to pay. On both occasions they did so and got approval. I would follow up with either the cardio or the EP to get clarification as to whether either one or both will talk to the insurance co for you. Good luck.

 

[Gnusgal]

Is it the case that the EP doc doesn't think you need the ICD (forgive me but what does this stand for?) or that he/she doesn't think that insurance will pay for the ICD?

First, ICD= Internal Cardiac Defibrillator. It's basically a pacemaker with extra umph.

Second, I almost wonder if the EP thinks I don't need it. And no, I don't guess I NEED it, but the ACHD doc thinks it would be a good idea as a precaution. Since my ventricals are getting weaker she doesn't want me to end up needing one and not having it. I kind of agree. But if the doc can't convince insurance to pay for it, I certainly can't pay for it myself!

I'm going to try calling the EPs office today and asking if they could use the results from my last holter. I happen to know there are a lot of PVCs on that one, so it should do nicely. I am afraid to take a chance on another one... What if my heart decides to "behave" when I have the monitor on this time?