All,

Just a quick update. My cerebral angio is finally scheduled for 8:00 am on June 19th at JFK Meidcal Center in NJ. I just requested that the doctors staff request the precertification (although we are told it is not necessary due to being out patient procedure, but I'd rather have it in writing to save on the bills later). Pretesting (bloodwork and x-rays) are scheduled for June 12th.

Now I just need to figure out how to get back and forth to the hospital as Olga does not drive (and at 35 miles from home would be two very expensive taxi rides).

A quick question, have any of you had an angio while taking Plavix or blood thinners? Or did you stop taking before the procedure.

Counting the days until the 19th.
Greg

Greg,
Glad to hear that your angio is scheduled.  Hopefully it will give your docs the info they need.

As for the blood thinners, I would really recommend that you contact the doctor who will be doing the procedure.  Sometimes they want you off of all meds a few days prior and other times, they allow you to continue.  I think they usually try to consider your underlying condition and the dosage before they decide the risks associated with continuing/discontinuing any meds.

Take Care,
Tracey

Greg -

Tracey gave you good advise.  I think I stopped my aspirin before my angio's (they are tapping a major artory in your groin, would need to be able to control bleeding - which is why you have to hold your leg straight for a few hours afterwards).   But best to speak with the doc who will be performing the procedure.

And by the way - your leg will be weak after the angio.  Definitely can't drive!

Good luck!

-Shari

yep....great question...but do ask the doc!

Hope it goes well.....and READS well too!

let us know.....and hang in there : )

Diane

definately....get something in writing! The angio can cost between $25K to $30K. Not worth fighting "after" the fact. And we know that I just went through an Insurance nightmare! It is very stressful...to say the least.     GET YOUR PRECERT IN WRITING!

Diane,

Good point.....congrats again...interesting thing is that both the hospital and doctor is in network...my insurance claims that outpatient proceedures do not need a precert....

I can't wait to see how this one unfolds.....all that I do know is that I can't wait until the 19th gets here.

Greg

We are definately pulling for YA!

Ok.....angio on the 19th.....so we should be hearing something by the 20th....right????

Of course...I know....you need the followup with the doc and the angio report to be written up...etc....and all that takes too much time. But do let us know ASAP that all is well!

Make sure you get a copy of the report for your personal files.

smiles....Diane : )

Good advice, Diane.  You definitely want to get a copy of the angiograms for your files, Greg.  I'm assuming that they can put it on disc.  They were able to do that with my MRI/MRA's so I would think they can do it with the angiograms.  

Michelle

My four year old daughter had an angio while on Lovenox. She had to lay flat for four hours afterward - which of course wasn't an easy task for a four year old.
Lori

Well, insurance company verified....no precertification is necessasry for outpatient procedures in-network (both dr and hospital are in network)...inquired about prcedure....will only be covered if deemed medically necessary....I may be confused, but if the procedure does not need a precertification because it is an outpatient procedure...shouldn't it be covered no matter what...

Lore, any insights?????

Anyway, everything is confirmed for the 19th. Tomorrow afternoon I go for the prep work (blood and x-rays). Then the terrble 1 week wait begins. (I can't wait to have this one behind me...more info is better).

The good news is that Olga's car pool driver said he would drop us off at the hospital...and a good friend will be picking us up when I am released....at least one problem solved.

Doctors also told me to stay on Plavix. Indicated it would just take "a bit longer" for femeral artery to start "healing".

Wish me luck (especially with the lack of need for a precertification and latter billing issue).

Greg

Hi Greg,

The angio, in your case, is medically necessary....period. Docs don't do angios for the heck of it.  There has to be a reason and the reason is...... you have this thing called an occluded artery, you are at risk for a stroke and you may very well have moyamoya. There is no question, in your case, the angio is medically necessary.

I have seen angios denied because the incorrect  diagnosis or CPT code was used but that is an easy fix. The claim simply has to be re-filed using the correct codes. I have seen only one angio denied because of medical necessity and that decision was overturned on appeal. So you see, it is rare for an angio to be denied.

Sometimes, the only reason there is outpatient certification is to "track" certain procedures or to avoid unecessary procedures based on evidence based medicine. An angio is not, in your case, medically unnecessary.  I seriously doubt you will have any problems with the insurance covering your medically necessary angio.  If by some slim chance you do, there is an appeal process in place and without question your doc can support the medical necessity.  In your case, I would not be concerned with the medical necessity of you having an angio.    

Glad to hear you got a ride to and from the hospital and I'm glad to hear Olga is going to be with you.

I know the waiting is the toughest and sometimes feels like it is forever but know that by having the angio you will have better knowledge of your particular situation and hopefully a firm diagnosis.

You and Olga will be in my thoughts.

Keep us posted and let us know the outcome.

Hugs,

Lore

Hey there Greg....glad everything is falling into place.

Lore is the expert.....so I am glad she popped in....she was a great help with my appeal process behind the scenes (thanks again Lore)

Also, like Seachelles....I had them burn a cd copy of my angio for me..... you should request it before you even start the procedure....just let them know you want a personal copy. Then later when the radiologist writes his report (a few days after) then you can ask for a copy of that written report too. This will be very helpful if you need to see other doctors in the future. It is also kinda cool to see the cd on your personal computer and look at your OWN brain! LOL (makes great computer wallpaper....just kidding)

Anyhow.....we'll all be thinking of you......do relax and hopefully it'll go smooth and quickly for you.

smiles....Diane

Hi all,

Was at the hospital yesterday afternoon for all of the wonderful prep work (a.k.a blood work). Everything is a go. While I was there  I signed the paper work to have several copies of the procedure to be burnt to CD (one for me, one my docs in NYC (even signed the release form for the one being shipped to NYC).

Diana, I am there with you....I have my angio on CD from early 2006. My screen saver at home is several images of my "issue zone" intermitently intrupted with various phrases such as:

- what doesn't kill me will make me stronger
- If you are watching this....then today is good a day
- I will conqure this
- and my favorite (a qoute from one of my doctors...with a minor additon of my own)...Don't think of it as brain surgery, its more like plumbing surgery....I only hope that I don't need to see "plumbers crack."


Lore, once again, thanks for the feed info.

Only 6 more days to go.
Greg

Greg,
    Glad to here that things are moving along for you, and that the insurance company is co-operating so far.  Wishing you luck on your angio.  

Joe

Greg,

Glad to hear things are moving along and glad to see you have a sense of humor.

I love your phrases.  Kevin and I have a favorite phrase........."Any day above ground is a good day".  Yes, we find the humor in it and chuckle as we both know we are fortunate and blessed to be here.  Kevin with MM and me with a bout of kidney cancer.

We believe we are here today by the grace of God and the hands of a skilled surgeon.  We believe attitude is everything. Stay positive and know that you have methodically done all your homework and in seeking the best medical care and we are all here to support you through this.  You know we have all been down this road and for some the road has been long and tough but we are alive and as you mentioned, we are stronger for it.

We'll count down the days with you.

Keep us posted.

Hugs,

Lore