Would like to start home testing

[lev]

I visit the site quite frequently. It's a great source of information and inspiration for me. It's so encouraging to know that there's a whole group of people who experienced what I did.
Thank you all!!

I would really like to start home testing. However, my cardio claims the results are not as accurate/consistent like going to a lab. Anyone has any problems with home testing?
I'd like to get some recommendations for a specific model/brand.
Where can i gather information on the different machines available?
Also, do insurance companies usually cover the cost of the machine and
other expenses involved? I have Guardian-PHCS.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome Lev! I'm glad you found us. Your cardio's comments tell me that he is not up to speed on Coumadin management. I tried to find the specific articles that compare home testing and self-dosing with labs, showing that home testing has more success, but I couldn't. Hopefully someone has it bookmarked and can pull it up. If Mayo Clinic sends some of their patients on Coumadin home with home testing machines - that would be the first clue that they are reliable. I trust my home machine more than I do labs.

QAS is a great place to start in acquiring a machine. There are only 2 models available right now in the US. The ProTime 3 and the INRatio. Coagucheck XS is supposedly going to be available soon, but I haven't seen word of that. (Unless I've missed it! )

I had the ProTime 3 for over 3 years. I was happy to have it in order to home test. Now I have the INRatio and I would, hands down, recommend it over the ProTime 3 for ease of use and size. The Coagucheck XS is similar to the INRatio in size and testing.

Some insurance companies will cover the cost, some won't. Some make you prove you have an unstable INR, some make you prove you have a stable INR. It's crazy. QAS will handle the leg work with your insurance company.

 

[briansmom]

My son had a right heart cath on Tuesday. They asked him to test in the am to find out his INR. Our INRatio said 1.9. We got to the hospital and they ordered stat labs. INR per lab 1.9. Now, that is rare to be exact, but I am very confident with the numbers from our home machine. Our cardio uses the Protime at their clinic, so they are completely comfortable with the home test units.

 

[Karlynn]

Good point Deanne. I should mention my cardio uses the INRatio in her office.

 

[Blanche]

Our Cardio uses the CoaguChek in his offices and our internist, who has 250 people on anticoagulation uses the INRatio. You might want to do some research on anticoagulation monitors and doctors and hospitals who use them in your area. When I told my dr. that the emergency room in his hospital was using a point-of-care monitor, he changed his tune.

It is interesting to note that both our cardiologist and our internist were against anticoagulation home monitoring in early 2001. Neither Al nor I would give up and we insisted, and insisted until we convinced them. Now, six years later both the cardio and the internist have their own anticoag clinics....

Seems like you will have a big fight here. Don't give up. It may take a bit, but you should be able to convince your doctor...or maybe you will need to get another one. Incidentally, our internist just signed for a new monitor for us. He's the one who manages our anticoagulation, not our cardiologist.

Kind regards,
Blanche

 

[Ross]

Lev take a copy of this to your Doctor and tell him to smoke it.

http://www.hemosense.com/docs/5500285_INRatio_vs_LAB_POC_RevB.pdf

http://www.hemosense.com/docs/5500209_INRatio_vs_MLA_WhitePaperRevC.pdf

http://www.hemosense.com/docs/Study2003.08_SelfMngmntTeachingProgram.pdf

See if there is any other relavent .pdf you can use for yourself at this link:

http://www.hemosense.com/distrib/productlit.shtml

 

[catwoman]

Lev:

For what it's worth -- My PCP's office has a CoaguChek. His office has several doctors, and between them, there are quite many patients on warfarin.
I didn't have any problem getting him to agree to my having a home tester. It was his staffers who were skeptical that he would OK it. However, they didn't know that he has 2 other patients who home-test. He believed I was competent enough to home test and that I understood warfarin's properties enough to allow me to home test. Soon I began adjusting my own dosage.

I suggest you purchase Al Lodwick's algorithm chart for warfarin dosages at
www.warfarinfo.com. It's only about $6 or so. Well worth the money. You can also purchase a plastic bound book of information from Al.
Show the chart to your doctor and I think he'll understand that you're "smarter than the average bear." (And probably smarter than the average doctor, too!)

 

[Cooker]

My insurance company does not want to pay for home testing. I may be off on my math but here goes. I test at my cardio's (was Coaguchek now INRatio) once a month. I might add that I am always stable. I asked the insurance company what they paid the cardio's office for each INR test, a whopping $16!! $16 x 12 = $192 per year x 10 years = $1920. Machine plus the strips $$$ ??? but it is cheaper for them to have me test at the cardio's.

I know I will test the rest of my life but I will only be with this insurance company a max of 12 more years. If my INR starts bouncing all over the place I would push hard to home test and I think they would pay. But for now I am very happy with the way thing are.

 

[Bina]

I have the Coaguchek XS, just got it a month ago, I have done 2 tests, both results were right on. Very simple to use.
I called the rep directly for info pamphlets and got a discount. Machine was on special for $500 and the strips are $8 each, same cost as going to the hospital--with gas and parking.
I'm testing every 3 weeks.
My private insurance won't pay, but I'll try to put it on my income tax medical expenses.
Also, this machine is not made in China.....
It's made in Germany, like the Siemen's equipment you see in the hospital ORs and ICUs.

 

[lance]

My PCP took some persuading ........................

My PCP took some persuading ........................

before he would approve of my using a home monitor.

So I used the information from this site and also contacted area hospitals to seek training. In-hospital training brought him in line and I've been testing for several years. The situation in Ontario has progressed to the point training is now available from qualified pharmacies.

When I think back I don't know how I got along without my Coaguchek. Heart valve recipients in the UK are offered the monitors and training prior to discharge and as someone else posted are being recommended by the Mayo Clinic.

Costs for the monitor and supplies are paid by myself in full and are 100% tax deductible here in Ontario.

I don't know how I got along without mine.

Good luck and keep persisting. Home testing is not rocket science and your veins will thank you.

 

[lev]

Thank you all for your responses!!!
I hope to present the info to my cardio on my next visit.