Afib and no insurance

[Guest guest]

Will you health plan approve an ablation with other doctors besides Dr.

Natale? Clearly, many on this line have had successful ablations with other

doctors than Natale. Perhaps you could get a list of doctors recommended by

Natale. If your insurance will cover an ablation, I cannot imagine remaining in

afib rather than getting it taken care of. Even if your insurance does *not*

cover this kind of medical intervention, there are other ways to pay for it.

Surely there is some kind of financial help or financing available for those

who do not have insurance, to get surgery they desperately need. Many people

who do not have insurance still opt to get life-saving surgery (and in your

case it *would* be life saving, since if you remain in afib long term you are

far more likely to have heart failure, and if you are not on blood thinners,

stroke).

Do you belong to a credit union, Toni? Do you have any way to borrow against

your home or other property? Can family assist you? To remain in afib at

your relatively young age and just accept it because your insurance won't pay

for it does not seem the best way to proceed. There are other ways for you to

get help. Please don't give up and give in to this. It has gone on too long

already.

Lil

In a message dated 5/16/2006 1:59:51 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

indiaink99@... writes:

Since I " m already taking .25 mgs. twice a day, that's the max dose so I

don't know what else I can do. Since I can't takeany of the other meds, and my

health plan still won't approve an ablation with Dr. Natale, I think I'm SOL

.... and pretty scared about it. I try to seek out denial to live in so I'm

not so frightened so much of the time. It definitely bites. Thanks for

asking.

[Guest guest]

So sorry you are in such a bind. What does Dr. Natale think is better for

you, though...to be in constant afib or to have the ablation? Can you only use

that one doctor in your plan? I don't blame you for not wanting to use the

same doctor - I wouldn't either! I am sure it is *most* frustrating, and

hope you find a solution. It must be worrisome to feel the digoxin is not doing

the job...perhaps it is only a temporary blip. I hope so.

Lil

In a message dated 5/16/2006 4:58:12 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

indiaink99@... writes:

Having a lesser doctor do it on top of the damage I already have is simply

foolish in my book. I've met him, I've consulted with him and Salwa, he has

reviewed all my records, he totally understands the damage in my heart (in

fact, HE is who explained it to me), and I trust him. End of story.

[Guest guest]

I appreciate the sentiment, Lil ... but believe me, I've exhausted all my

options, short of selling my condo, and I don't think being homeless will help

anything. It is far too much to borrow. And yes, they'd approve the barracuda

EP in my health plan doing it ... the one who is so horrid that I wouldn't let

her lance a boil on my butt. And believe me, after being so trusting and having

the SVT ablation that is supposedly FAR more " tried and true " and standard than

an a-fib ablation, and coming out of it with permanent heart damage is a major

fear inducer. I will NOT let anyone but Dr. Natale inside my heart. Period.

Having a lesser doctor do it on top of the damage I already have is simply

foolish in my book. I've met him, I've consulted with him and Salwa, he has

reviewed all my records, he totally understands the damage in my heart (in fact,

HE is who explained it to me), and I trust him. End of story. I believe that

having anyone else do it would be tantamount to signing my own death warrant,

and I will not do it. I think if I'd known back then what I know now from these

lists, I'd have never let the other guy into my heart. I met him in the pre-op

room (Kaiser referral since Kaiser doesn't do them ... I had Kaiser insurance

back then but I don't now). I am not going to make the same mistake twice. I

am not being stubborn ... I am being wise and trying to learn from my mistakes.

It is very easy to say " find a way " to do it ... very difficult to do it. There

is no way financially for me to achieve it without insurance paying for it.

Believe me, I've explored every option. But thanks for the suggestions anyway.

Toni

CA

Afib and no insurance

Will you health plan approve an ablation with other doctors besides Dr.

Natale? Clearly, many on this line have had successful ablations with other

doctors than Natale. Perhaps you could get a list of doctors recommended by

Natale. If your insurance will cover an ablation, I cannot imagine remaining in

afib rather than getting it taken care of. Even if your insurance does *not*

cover this kind of medical intervention, there are other ways to pay for it.

Surely there is some kind of financial help or financing available for those

who do not have insurance, to get surgery they desperately need. Many people

who do not have insurance still opt to get life-saving surgery (and in your

case it *would* be life saving, since if you remain in afib long term you are

far more likely to have heart failure, and if you are not on blood thinners,

stroke).

Do you belong to a credit union, Toni? Do you have any way to borrow against

your home or other property? Can family assist you? To remain in afib at

your relatively young age and just accept it because your insurance won't pay

for it does not seem the best way to proceed. There are other ways for you to

get help. Please don't give up and give in to this. It has gone on too long

already.

Lil

In a message dated 5/16/2006 1:59:51 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

indiaink99@... writes:

Since I " m already taking .25 mgs. twice a day, that's the max dose so I

don't know what else I can do. Since I can't takeany of the other meds, and my

health plan still won't approve an ablation with Dr. Natale, I think I'm SOL

.... and pretty scared about it. I try to seek out denial to live in so I'm

not so frightened so much of the time. It definitely bites. Thanks for

asking.

[Guest guest]

There is such a thing as a reverse mortgage where the owner can receive money

from the value of the home, which is to be paid back with the home at the time

of the owner's death.

http://www.aarp.org/money/revmort/revmort_basics/a2003-03-21-newloan.html

Jo Anne

Afib and no insurance

Will you health plan approve an ablation with other doctors besides Dr.

Natale? Clearly, many on this line have had successful ablations with other

doctors than Natale. Perhaps you could get a list of doctors recommended by

Natale. If your insurance will cover an ablation, I cannot imagine remaining

in

afib rather than getting it taken care of. Even if your insurance does *not*

cover this kind of medical intervention, there are other ways to pay for it.

Surely there is some kind of financial help or financing available for those

who do not have insurance, to get surgery they desperately need. Many people

who do not have insurance still opt to get life-saving surgery (and in your

case it *would* be life saving, since if you remain in afib long term you are

far more likely to have heart failure, and if you are not on blood thinners,

stroke).

Do you belong to a credit union, Toni? Do you have any way to borrow against

your home or other property? Can family assist you? To remain in afib at

your relatively young age and just accept it because your insurance won't pay

for it does not seem the best way to proceed. There are other ways for you to

get help. Please don't give up and give in to this. It has gone on too long

already.

Lil

In a message dated 5/16/2006 1:59:51 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

indiaink99@... writes:

Since I " m already taking .25 mgs. twice a day, that's the max dose so I

don't know what else I can do. Since I can't takeany of the other meds, and

my

health plan still won't approve an ablation with Dr. Natale, I think I'm SOL

... and pretty scared about it. I try to seek out denial to live in so I'm

not so frightened so much of the time. It definitely bites. Thanks for

asking.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/16/06 7:30:49 PM Pacific Daylight Time, cnetwork@...

writes:

> What does Dr. Natale think is better for

> you, though...to be in constant afib or to have the ablation? Can you only

> use

> that one doctor in your plan?

Yes, Dr. Natale wanted to do the ablation before I ended up in chronic

a-fib... too late for that now. But he still thinks he can fix it. And it

isn't

that I can only use one EP ... the health plan only HAS one EP, the barracuda.

And yes, I hate being in this bind too.

Toni

CA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/16/06 8:54:14 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

jakarasek@... writes:

> There is such a thing as a reverse mortgage where the owner can receive

> money from the value of the home, which is to be paid back with the home at

the

> time of the owner's death.

Which you must be a senior citizen to qualify for ... and which defeats the

entire concept of equity.

[Guest guest]

Toni, I didn't know your age, and I figured if you weren't in that age bracket,

it could help someone else.

The reason one has to be older is for banks to give the money and have a

reasonable expectation you wouldn't live 50-75 years, or whatever, before they

had access to the value of the property.

Jo Anne

Re: Afib and no insurance

In a message dated 5/16/06 8:54:14 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

jakarasek@... writes:

> There is such a thing as a reverse mortgage where the owner can receive

> money from the value of the home, which is to be paid back with the home at

the

> time of the owner's death.

Which you must be a senior citizen to qualify for ... and which defeats the

entire concept of equity.

[Guest guest]

Yes this is called the HIPAA plan and it is how I kept my insurance from

regular to Cobra ...then to Hipaa.

Lil

In a message dated 5/18/2006 9:00:20 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,

quarteracreorchids@... writes:

And don't quote me on this, but I heard recently that as long as you keep

insurance constantly (from one company to another with no lapse) the second

company cannot deny treatment for " pre-existing " conditions.

[Guest guest]

Toni - not to ask what might have already been covered, but have you considered

a home equity loan, getting a new job with better insurance, purchasing your

own insurance to supplement what you have now, or simply trying to save the

money over a period of time?

Buying your own insurance (if you even could) and saving the money might be a

financial Everest to climb, but finding a new job might be a very viable option

depending on what you do and where you are. And don't quote me on this, but I

heard recently that as long as you keep insurance constantly (from one company

to another with no lapse) the second company cannot deny treatment for

" pre-existing " conditions. You may have to wait a year to have a PVI, but it

might be worth the wait, as opposed to what you are going through now, and your

fears for the future.

Just a thought

Stef

indiaink99@... wrote:

I appreciate the sentiment, Lil ... but believe me, I've exhausted all my

options, short of selling my condo, and I don't think being homeless will help

anything. It is far too much to borrow. And yes, they'd approve the barracuda

EP in my health plan doing it ... the one who is so horrid that I wouldn't let

her lance a boil on my butt. And believe me, after being so trusting and having

the SVT ablation that is supposedly FAR more " tried and true " and standard than

an a-fib ablation, and coming out of it with permanent heart damage is a major

fear inducer. I will NOT let anyone but Dr. Natale inside my heart. Period.

Having a lesser doctor do it on top of the damage I already have is simply

foolish in my book. I've met him, I've consulted with him and Salwa, he has

reviewed all my records, he totally understands the damage in my heart (in fact,

HE is who explained it to me), and I trust him. End of story. I believe that

having anyone else do it would be

tantamount to signing my own death warrant, and I will not do it. I think if

I'd known back then what I know now from these lists, I'd have never let the

other guy into my heart. I met him in the pre-op room (Kaiser referral since

Kaiser doesn't do them ... I had Kaiser insurance back then but I don't now). I

am not going to make the same mistake twice. I am not being stubborn ... I am

being wise and trying to learn from my mistakes. It is very easy to say " find a

way " to do it ... very difficult to do it. There is no way financially for me

to achieve it without insurance paying for it. Believe me, I've explored every

option. But thanks for the suggestions anyway.

Toni

CA

Afib and no insurance

Will you health plan approve an ablation with other doctors besides Dr.

Natale? Clearly, many on this line have had successful ablations with other

doctors than Natale. Perhaps you could get a list of doctors recommended by

Natale. If your insurance will cover an ablation, I cannot imagine remaining in

afib rather than getting it taken care of. Even if your insurance does *not*

cover this kind of medical intervention, there are other ways to pay for it.

Surely there is some kind of financial help or financing available for those

who do not have insurance, to get surgery they desperately need. Many people

who do not have insurance still opt to get life-saving surgery (and in your

case it *would* be life saving, since if you remain in afib long term you are

far more likely to have heart failure, and if you are not on blood thinners,

stroke).

Do you belong to a credit union, Toni? Do you have any way to borrow against

your home or other property? Can family assist you? To remain in afib at

your relatively young age and just accept it because your insurance won't pay

for it does not seem the best way to proceed. There are other ways for you to

get help. Please don't give up and give in to this. It has gone on too long

already.

Lil

In a message dated 5/16/2006 1:59:51 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

indiaink99@... writes:

Since I " m already taking .25 mgs. twice a day, that's the max dose so I

don't know what else I can do. Since I can't takeany of the other meds, and my

health plan still won't approve an ablation with Dr. Natale, I think I'm SOL

.... and pretty scared about it. I try to seek out denial to live in so I'm

not so frightened so much of the time. It definitely bites. Thanks for

asking.

[Guest guest]

Yes, Stef, I've investigated all of your suggestions and none are viable.

Selling my condo would be the only option. I do have a home equity line of

credit, and could not afford the payments if I used it all on such a procedure.

Changing jobs is also not an option primarily because I love my job and hope to

retire from it in 10-15 years. After a lot of years in high management

positions in corporate America and at universities, as well as my own consulting

business for nine years, I began work at a non-profit over four years ago.

Though I make far less money than I ever did before, it's a wonderful job, I get

to use my best talents for a good cause, work with people who like being at the

organization, and basically have a better work experience than I've ever had

before. I'm not willing to change on the " chance " that I'd get insurance that

would cover an ablation. I do appreciate all the suggestions though. And I was

also trying to save ... then the transmission broke in my car and I ended up

having to purchase a new car ... so the $ I was trying to save now goes into a

massive car payment for the next six years. Not a happy financial time for me.

I am trying to have serenity about it and realize it's just life and others have

it far worse ... though I must admit to a healthy dose of envy when I read of

people's successful ablations and their ability to forgo drugs and get their

lives back. I can't even remember what life was like before the limitations

this nasty a-fib has brought on me. If I dwell on it too long I become

depressed, so I try not to. But my lack of energy overall with it severely

limits me, and I cry a lot on weekends because I'm home reading or doing

something quiet instead of out living life. It's a drag I know you all

understand. I try to focus on the fact that I'm lucky to own my condo (well, me

and the mortgage company) and have the ability to get a new car ... you know,

focus on the blessings instead of the crap. A-fib leads the crap list for sure.

Toni

CA

Re: Afib and no insurance

Toni - not to ask what might have already been covered, but have you considered

a home equity loan, getting a new job with better insurance, purchasing your

own insurance to supplement what you have now, or simply trying to save the

money over a period of time?

Buying your own insurance (if you even could) and saving the money might be a

financial Everest to climb, but finding a new job might be a very viable option

depending on what you do and where you are. And don't quote me on this, but I

heard recently that as long as you keep insurance constantly (from one company

to another with no lapse) the second company cannot deny treatment for

" pre-existing " conditions. You may have to wait a year to have a PVI, but it

might be worth the wait, as opposed to what you are going through now, and your

fears for the future.

Just a thought

Stef