Hello, I have been on here before, but it has been awhile. Here is an update on my situation that I am sure many of you can associate with. I have had been told by one Cardiologist that my wholein my heart has to be closed or it is going to get alot worse. I have been put on Coreg due to my heart weakening. I have a Atrial septal defect with an anuerysm, a heart block, and heart is barely pumping at 40%. I have dealt with this for awile, have had a mild heart attack, no blockage, but the whole in the Septum. I am on heart pills I am on Migraine pills, two different ones. Really bad migrains, and just recently had a consultation with a heart surgeon that specializes in the holes in the heart. They contacted my insurance to schedule the surgery, and was told that since this procedure is not 100% approved by the FDA insurance has denied the surgery. This procedure is the Catheter procedure that they go up your leg and use a patch to patch the hole. Since this surgeon was told this by our insurance, I was pretty much told by them that since our insurance will not pay for this procedure that there is nothing else they can do for me. And I feel like I have just been dropped completely. Since this has happened I have not heard one thing from this Surgeon. No follow up, no nothing just telling me that they are done. Nothing has changed health wise, I still feel really sick, dizzy, heart rate very high, then sometimes very low blood pressure with a very high heart rate in the 180's. I feel like this medical system has failed me in every way possible.
Very confused as to what to doi next.
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Heart problems still
- By angelk
- Posted July 27, 2009 at 4:26 pm · 3 replies
- In Health insurance experiences
- Shared with the public
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- By Great-gram
- Posted August 8, 2009 at 8:53 pm
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HI! You are in my prayers. I hope some others on this site might be able to give you some suggestions. I have not been denied so far for any procedures I've needed. I tried to think of what I would do if it was denied. It sounds as if the doctor wants to do the patch for the hole this way, because it would be less invasive and not as dangerous as other procedures. Talk to your PCP and or your cardiologist - put the problem to them, and ask if they can refer you elsewhere or if they can give suggestions for fighting your insurance company on this one. It sounds like this particular surgery might be the best for you. It's a shame that the surgeon did not give you something in writing, or show you something that they wrote to your insurance company stating why you should have the surgery, and how it would benefit them. Maybe another surgeon would be willing to do this for you. Please don't give up; take it one step at a time, especially since I know you probably don't have much energy. God bless! Great-Gram
- By Ehutch2
- Posted August 8, 2009 at 11:40 pm
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This particular doctor my specialize in this particular procedure, but diviated septum problems have been around for a while. There has to be a FDA approved method of repair. It will probably consist of "open-heart" surgery, but there had to be something. Please get a second opinion from a different cardiologist or PCP. There has to be loop holes.
- By angelk
- Posted August 9, 2009 at 8:44 pm
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Thank you, I have no idea really what to do, but I know I will not just jump to open-heart surgery. I really have no idea what to do at this point. I do know that I cannot go on feeling the way that I feel.
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