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

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!

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 : )

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

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

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 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