Re: PVA Cost for Toni/3 week PVA update

[Guest guest]

Toni:

I received billing for my PVA By Dr. Natale @ the Cleveland Clinic

yesterday. Those Paroxysmal Fibbers without insurance who are considering a

PVA may want to leave the room as I don't want to bring on an " event " !

I think this is the one & only billing for the procedure, and the total was

just a little short $50,000.00 (BAD NEWS)

GOOD NEWS: However, with Wellmark BC/BS " provider saving " from the " billed

charges " the Blue Cross/Blue Shield settlement of the 1st bill of not quite

$46,000 was settled for $9382.00 That bill was for all tests (echo, TEE,

EKG) Dr. Natales fee, the EP room, 1 night hospitalization, lab charges,

drugs, ect.

The 2nd bill of $2211.00 was settled for $820.00 (Dr. fee's for

interpretation of EKG, echo,TEE)

The amount I owe for both is $1748, so along with our out of pocket for air

fare to get to Cleveland, food & lodging for 4 days which totaled around

$1500, the whole thing was $3200-$3300 for us.

The bulk of the bill results from 2 charges only identified as " INPATIENT

MISC. CHARGES " of $25,014 & $17,158 respectively. Assume one is Dr. Natale's

fee & the other is the EP Lab charge, but don't know which is which.

I'm very grateful that the C.C. is a Wellmark BC/BS approved provider, as

such they agree to accept the BC/BS settlement - they won't bill me for the

difference. The important thing for you to know Toni, ( & others without

insurance) is that the billed charge of $25,000 was settled for $5900 & the

$17,000 + charge was settled for $4600, so the target to shoot for (the

actual amount the C.C. received including our co-pay) would be around

$12,000. Not exactly small change, but a long ways from $50,000 ! Hope this

information is helpful.

3 week PVA update: I'm 58 years old, no underlying heart structural

problems, in otherwise good health. Previous to the PVA I was chronic AF

since April of last year, with one 6 day period of NSR after an EC in June

of 2003. Since the PVA & till now in NSR. I believe I mentioned the first

week or so I occasionally had very brief & sporadic PVC's. I have not felt

any for the last 10 days or so, & I monitor my HR frequently. I have had no

A-Fib events since the PVA. The Sotalol (Betapace) is the only thing giving

me any grief, as I'm one of those that doesn't tolerate it very well.

Sometimes, some days, it gives me a slight tight feeling in my chest, and

very, very slight shortness of breath, diminished energy level - all

classic, known Sotalol side effects. Today is better than yesterday. The

effect from the Sotalol at it's worst does not inhibit me in any way -

working full time, exercising (strenuous walking), normal lifestyle. (It

just seems to take more energy to do those things on the Sotalol. (BTW, my

Sotalol dosage is 120mg X 2) Yesterday I felt like calling the C.C. about

reducing/discontinuing the Sotalol. Today I don't feel the need to do that.

I'm taking the Sotalol to " reinforce " the PVA, and only will be on it

another 5 weeks, so I'm going to do my best to stay with it.

Sorry to be repetitious to frequent board members, but I know new people are

checking all the time so I thought some background would be useful.

Thor, NSR W/fingers crossed !

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/5/04 11:09:09 AM Pacific Standard Time,

tk_wascow@... writes:

<< ! Hope this

information is helpful. >>

Thor ... it's VERY helpful, and thank you so much for providing it in such

detail. I'm printing it out for future reference.

Toni

CA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/5/04 11:09:09 AM Pacific Standard Time,

tk_wascow@... writes:

<< ! Hope this

information is helpful. >>

Thor ... it's VERY helpful, and thank you so much for providing it in such

detail. I'm printing it out for future reference.

Toni

CA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/5/04 11:09:09 AM Pacific Standard Time,

tk_wascow@... writes:

<< ! Hope this

information is helpful. >>

Thor ... it's VERY helpful, and thank you so much for providing it in such

detail. I'm printing it out for future reference.

Toni

CA