Aa
Is the latest and greatest equipment being used for cardiac ablation?
With a $7 billion expanding market comes technology. Are hospitals keeping up?
Revolutionizing cardiology
Varanasi stood recently in the monitor-filled, radiation-shielded control room just off the procedure room that holds the two huge magnets of the Stereotaxis system and talked about how this system is revolutionizing cardiology.
"It's very sophisticated," he said of the $3.7 million remote magnetic navigation system the hospital acquired last November. Since then, said Varanasi, they've used it for some 80 cases and have had "tremendous" success.
"This is the best way to get direct vision of the patient's heart," he explained, "without having to open their chest."
As with traditional cardiac ablations, the Stereotaxis technique involves inserting catheters — narrow, flexible tubes — into a blood vessel, often through the patient's groin or neck, and threading them through the vein until they reach the heart. There are no surgical incisions, and the patient is under general anesthesia.
But with this remote magnetic navigation system, the doctor does most of his work from the control room — aided by GPS technology, and a much higher degree of control and accuracy.
"These are complicated procedures with little room for error," he said.
Varanasi uses a joystick and mouse to move the magnets in toward the patient's body, and to direct the precise movements of the catheter inside the heart. The magnets actually pull the catheters through the body.
A softer, magnet-tipped catheter is threaded through blood vessels and heart chambers, allowing doctors to create a grid of the heart and minutely pinpoint the areas in which they need to work.
Varanasi took a traditional catheter from a shelf and pointed out its coiled tip. Using the pump at the other end, he showed how challenging it was to make tiny, exact moves with it.
"It's gross movement," he said, "no matter how good your hands are."
In contrast, he said, he has "absolute control" with the Stereotaxis catheter. The flexible tip, he said, nearly eliminates the threat of accidentally perforating the patient's heart tissue.
"I can do a millimeter at any time. It's mind-blowing."
And it's all done in 3-D, allowing doctors to see the entirety of the patient's heart, using, he said, only 1/15th the radiation as an MRI.
Varanasi asked a technician to pull up some of the digitally integrated images from Chernek's procedure.
One section of the huge screen in front of him displayed two of her X-rays. There, in gray and black, were the outlines of several catheters within her heart.
Another panel displayed a tiny yellow head with green eyes facing the ceiling, indicating the patient's position on the table. Her heart was indicated on the same screen in bright pinks and yellows, and Varanasi was able to rotate the heart — and head — in whatever direction he needed to for a better view.
There would be seven people in the two rooms during a procedure, Varanasi said, including nurses, an anesthesiologist, and technicians from Stereotaxis. And, he has access to a panel of doctors from around the world who can log on and "look in" on a difficult case, in real time, and offer suggestions.
"They might say, 'Oh, this is where you're struggling — try this,'" he said. "At any given time, I have so many sources of information available to me."
Varanasi is clearly impressed with the new technology and the effect it is having on his field.
"I couldn't have imagined this in my wildest imagination," he said. The doctor likened a normally beating heart to the effect of a stone being tossed into a small pond, with the resulting organized, concentric ripples. Arrthymia, Varanasi said, is like the "chaos" caused by tossing a handful of pebbles into the same pond.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100929/HEALTH/9290326/-1/SITEMAP
+++++++++++++++++++++
Does my hospital have this tech yet with trained physicians?
Revolutionizing cardiology
Varanasi stood recently in the monitor-filled, radiation-shielded control room just off the procedure room that holds the two huge magnets of the Stereotaxis system and talked about how this system is revolutionizing cardiology.
"It's very sophisticated," he said of the $3.7 million remote magnetic navigation system the hospital acquired last November. Since then, said Varanasi, they've used it for some 80 cases and have had "tremendous" success.
"This is the best way to get direct vision of the patient's heart," he explained, "without having to open their chest."
As with traditional cardiac ablations, the Stereotaxis technique involves inserting catheters — narrow, flexible tubes — into a blood vessel, often through the patient's groin or neck, and threading them through the vein until they reach the heart. There are no surgical incisions, and the patient is under general anesthesia.
But with this remote magnetic navigation system, the doctor does most of his work from the control room — aided by GPS technology, and a much higher degree of control and accuracy.
"These are complicated procedures with little room for error," he said.
Varanasi uses a joystick and mouse to move the magnets in toward the patient's body, and to direct the precise movements of the catheter inside the heart. The magnets actually pull the catheters through the body.
A softer, magnet-tipped catheter is threaded through blood vessels and heart chambers, allowing doctors to create a grid of the heart and minutely pinpoint the areas in which they need to work.
Varanasi took a traditional catheter from a shelf and pointed out its coiled tip. Using the pump at the other end, he showed how challenging it was to make tiny, exact moves with it.
"It's gross movement," he said, "no matter how good your hands are."
In contrast, he said, he has "absolute control" with the Stereotaxis catheter. The flexible tip, he said, nearly eliminates the threat of accidentally perforating the patient's heart tissue.
"I can do a millimeter at any time. It's mind-blowing."
And it's all done in 3-D, allowing doctors to see the entirety of the patient's heart, using, he said, only 1/15th the radiation as an MRI.
Varanasi asked a technician to pull up some of the digitally integrated images from Chernek's procedure.
One section of the huge screen in front of him displayed two of her X-rays. There, in gray and black, were the outlines of several catheters within her heart.
Another panel displayed a tiny yellow head with green eyes facing the ceiling, indicating the patient's position on the table. Her heart was indicated on the same screen in bright pinks and yellows, and Varanasi was able to rotate the heart — and head — in whatever direction he needed to for a better view.
There would be seven people in the two rooms during a procedure, Varanasi said, including nurses, an anesthesiologist, and technicians from Stereotaxis. And, he has access to a panel of doctors from around the world who can log on and "look in" on a difficult case, in real time, and offer suggestions.
"They might say, 'Oh, this is where you're struggling — try this,'" he said. "At any given time, I have so many sources of information available to me."
Varanasi is clearly impressed with the new technology and the effect it is having on his field.
"I couldn't have imagined this in my wildest imagination," he said. The doctor likened a normally beating heart to the effect of a stone being tossed into a small pond, with the resulting organized, concentric ripples. Arrthymia, Varanasi said, is like the "chaos" caused by tossing a handful of pebbles into the same pond.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100929/HEALTH/9290326/-1/SITEMAP
+++++++++++++++++++++
Does my hospital have this tech yet with trained physicians?
Medic*aid*... I'm talking about ghetto, rural poor, migrant worker, job shifted to China - pre-existing condition having (let's say permanent Afib) can't buy insurance and has the money for it - uninsured other than public aid. Not Medicare.
So, the US is subsidizing all medical research in the world? OK. Are we cool with that? I'm not. Am I cool with premiums going up double digit % every year while the local hospital serving a metro area of 350,000 (in competition with 3 other hospitals) builds a $400,000,000 dollar addition while daily driving people into bankruptcy in their fleet of $6 million Life Flight copters? Not really. (that's $1200 per person, I suppose I'll be charged via amortization over time)
Am I cool with friends that have cancer, denied life saving treatment and have to have a benefit and second mortgage on their home so they can see their children's next birthday? Not really. (He did get a HUGE SUM written off by charity, btw.)
So back to the original question: has anybody here... your average, everyday, single mom with AVNRT had Ablation under public aid? Offered right out of the gate?
I have insurance and checkbook... they offered me. I took.
So, the US is subsidizing all medical research in the world? OK. Are we cool with that? I'm not. Am I cool with premiums going up double digit % every year while the local hospital serving a metro area of 350,000 (in competition with 3 other hospitals) builds a $400,000,000 dollar addition while daily driving people into bankruptcy in their fleet of $6 million Life Flight copters? Not really. (that's $1200 per person, I suppose I'll be charged via amortization over time)
Am I cool with friends that have cancer, denied life saving treatment and have to have a benefit and second mortgage on their home so they can see their children's next birthday? Not really. (He did get a HUGE SUM written off by charity, btw.)
So back to the original question: has anybody here... your average, everyday, single mom with AVNRT had Ablation under public aid? Offered right out of the gate?
I have insurance and checkbook... they offered me. I took.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Here's the difference, the USA based people talking about the USA system are speaking from experience, others are not.
As for what Medicare will pay for, I was 67 when I had open heart surgery to repair my Mitral Valve, and to do a mini-maze (USA invented) to treat my atrial fibrillation. I did chose an In Network doctor because I also have private insurance. There was never a question about providing me services based on Medicare rates, but that was before our current government take-over moved to take 500 billion $US out of medicare. Now there's something not to like about government takeover.
My atrial fibrillation has returned and my EP and Cardiologist have said they do not support preforming an ablation on me because I am mostly asymptomatic (low reward) and I have permanent AFib, thus the chances of success are not good. I do not believe for one minute that the recommendations against performing an ablation on me has anything to do with - so based on experience I say the statement: "Ablation is not a first line treatment on Medicaid. Go to a doc w/ your medical card and ask for Ablation right out... you will be turned away and turned toward drug therapy." form Canada is totally lacking in any basis.
As for the UK, I understand the government is cutting way back on their medical coverage because the cost are driving them into bankruptcy. I have also read many first-hand posts on this community form Canada and Europe expressing long waiting times. The only wait I have is for my every 6-months heart check-up, and my 12 month physical exam.
As for what Medicare will pay for, I was 67 when I had open heart surgery to repair my Mitral Valve, and to do a mini-maze (USA invented) to treat my atrial fibrillation. I did chose an In Network doctor because I also have private insurance. There was never a question about providing me services based on Medicare rates, but that was before our current government take-over moved to take 500 billion $US out of medicare. Now there's something not to like about government takeover.
My atrial fibrillation has returned and my EP and Cardiologist have said they do not support preforming an ablation on me because I am mostly asymptomatic (low reward) and I have permanent AFib, thus the chances of success are not good. I do not believe for one minute that the recommendations against performing an ablation on me has anything to do with - so based on experience I say the statement: "Ablation is not a first line treatment on Medicaid. Go to a doc w/ your medical card and ask for Ablation right out... you will be turned away and turned toward drug therapy." form Canada is totally lacking in any basis.
As for the UK, I understand the government is cutting way back on their medical coverage because the cost are driving them into bankruptcy. I have also read many first-hand posts on this community form Canada and Europe expressing long waiting times. The only wait I have is for my every 6-months heart check-up, and my 12 month physical exam.
Oh my!! Well, I don't have any hard feelings towards any country, and I think it is fantastic that your country is helping the world so much. It is a wonderful thing, and something to be proud of, not angry about. I love our system, and that's ok! I would certainly never say anything bad about either country, as I have lived in and love them both. It is not my job to judge, only to share my own experiences. There are many countries that have contributed to research, education and medicine. I wish you all the best. And for me, this is the end of the discussion as I feel it has lost it's validity. Take care.
and America invented MRIs, CAT scans, statins, ACE inhibitors, mammograms,.....
The latest numbers I found, from 2005, show that the US spent $130 Billion on medical research. The entire EU spent $3.7 billion.
In the last 10 years 12 Nobel Prizes in medicine have gone to American-born scientists working in the United States, just 7 have gone to researchers outside the US.
Say what you want about the American system, the model accelerates innovation and development that benefits the entire world.
I found this blerb on a web site, and it sums it up best for me:
"Americans don't live longer than people in other countries because the innovations that get funded in America get used around the world. In Canada and some European countries drugs are sold for lower prices than in the US. Drug companies make most of their profits and therefore get most of their revenue to fund research by selling products in the United States. The United States is subsidizing medical research for the rest of the world."
I didn't make this about our country versus yours but I see plenty of criticism from our Canadian "friends" all the time. That's insulting too. Some of these blanket anecdotal statements are just silly. These people don't even live here but they'll make judgments because they heard something from a friend.
Not so much from the UK. I work with folks from the UK and they just flat out tell me that NHS *****. When they possibly can they get on private insurance
The latest numbers I found, from 2005, show that the US spent $130 Billion on medical research. The entire EU spent $3.7 billion.
In the last 10 years 12 Nobel Prizes in medicine have gone to American-born scientists working in the United States, just 7 have gone to researchers outside the US.
Say what you want about the American system, the model accelerates innovation and development that benefits the entire world.
I found this blerb on a web site, and it sums it up best for me:
"Americans don't live longer than people in other countries because the innovations that get funded in America get used around the world. In Canada and some European countries drugs are sold for lower prices than in the US. Drug companies make most of their profits and therefore get most of their revenue to fund research by selling products in the United States. The United States is subsidizing medical research for the rest of the world."
I didn't make this about our country versus yours but I see plenty of criticism from our Canadian "friends" all the time. That's insulting too. Some of these blanket anecdotal statements are just silly. These people don't even live here but they'll make judgments because they heard something from a friend.
Not so much from the UK. I work with folks from the UK and they just flat out tell me that NHS *****. When they possibly can they get on private insurance
Ablation is not a first line treatment for most benign arrhythmias. Following a clinical pathway or a model practice isn't a bad thing, it's rather common regardless of who is paying what.
If ablation is clearly indicated for a diagnosis and the doc recommends against it based on payer, the doc is discriminating and unethical. They could lose their license and be sued. If you think that happened to you pursue it further and get the right answers. There are plenty of lawyers just waiting for something like this to happen and they'll take your case for free!!
If ablation is clearly indicated for a diagnosis and the doc recommends against it based on payer, the doc is discriminating and unethical. They could lose their license and be sued. If you think that happened to you pursue it further and get the right answers. There are plenty of lawyers just waiting for something like this to happen and they'll take your case for free!!
Canadian electrical engineer John Hopps invented the world's first cardiac pacemaker in 1950. Just saying! lol. There are many, many great medical advancements from both Canada and the US. I don't think this is "my country is better than yours" issue. I think everyone deserves and should have access to health care, no matter where you are from or how much money you have. Canada and the US pour millions into research every year. There are many great advancements from both countries, and I am sure from Europe as well. The French, for instance, are responsible for indentifying the HIV virus and a test for it back in it's infancy. I think all health care systems have failings, all of them. But, to say that one country contributes $0 is unfounded and insulting. Our system has many failings, absolutely, and there is not doubt there are procedures done in the States that we can't get here, that is why we are neighbors, and friends:)
Ablation is not a first line treatment on Medicaid.
Go to a doc w/ your medical card and ask for Ablation right out... you will be turned away and turned toward drug therapy.
Go to a doc w/ your medical card and ask for Ablation right out... you will be turned away and turned toward drug therapy.
Ever hear of Medicaid?
I lived through my father needing a heart transplant, losing his job, losing his insurance. We were faced with losing our house. We reached out and got the help we needed.
I lived through my father needing a heart transplant, losing his job, losing his insurance. We were faced with losing our house. We reached out and got the help we needed.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Free is a "Nuts idea", nothing is free, including medical care in Canada and Europe, for examples. The question is which system is the best value. Most people in the USA do not support government run health care. This includes many young people who do not have private heath insurance. They should I would agree, but in the USA we still have rights AND responsibilities.
The treat of implementation of government run health care in the USA is forcing increases in the cost of coverage for us all, including those with coverage. The company from which I retired after 35 years of service provides health care coverage to me, including a prescription medication plan that is much better than any of the current (Passed during the Bush administration) government offers. But, the government take over is causing my company to make public statements that the changes they are seeing in terms of tax exempt expenses is making them consider dropping prescription coverage for retired employees, me! One of the many benefits yet to be seen by government takeover. I am sure it will only get worse, as is the case in Europe and Canada... notice any riots lately?
The treat of implementation of government run health care in the USA is forcing increases in the cost of coverage for us all, including those with coverage. The company from which I retired after 35 years of service provides health care coverage to me, including a prescription medication plan that is much better than any of the current (Passed during the Bush administration) government offers. But, the government take over is causing my company to make public statements that the changes they are seeing in terms of tax exempt expenses is making them consider dropping prescription coverage for retired employees, me! One of the many benefits yet to be seen by government takeover. I am sure it will only get worse, as is the case in Europe and Canada... notice any riots lately?
Turned away?
Anybody on this forum uninsured and had Ablation in the USA via charity?
Anybody on this forum uninsured and had Ablation in the USA via charity?
I have to admit, when folks outside the US criticize our health care system it comes across as being very smug to me.
Take the UK for example, here's a video of a UK "nurse" causing massive brain damage when she switches off a life support machine by accident then has no idea how to turn it back on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcaurDEC_SE&feature=player_embedded
Let's not hold up NHS as a model practice, OK?
As for Canada, they have to make $0 investment in innovation, technology development, or best practice development. They get it all from the US, for free. And I still see folks from Canada with more complex cases get sent down to US facilities for care which Canada will pay for. So what's that tell ya?
And for those that think people in the US are turned away for health care, are you nuts? Any medical facility that would turn away someone based on financial circumstances would get their pants sued off. It would be all over the tabloids, oops I mean fox news. :-) I see people present all this anecdotal evidence for what's wrong with US health care, none of which is based on facts. Heck our free clinics probably exceed quality standards of most other hospitals outside the US.
just my $0.02. Which won't even buy you a bandaide today. :-)
Take the UK for example, here's a video of a UK "nurse" causing massive brain damage when she switches off a life support machine by accident then has no idea how to turn it back on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcaurDEC_SE&feature=player_embedded
Let's not hold up NHS as a model practice, OK?
As for Canada, they have to make $0 investment in innovation, technology development, or best practice development. They get it all from the US, for free. And I still see folks from Canada with more complex cases get sent down to US facilities for care which Canada will pay for. So what's that tell ya?
And for those that think people in the US are turned away for health care, are you nuts? Any medical facility that would turn away someone based on financial circumstances would get their pants sued off. It would be all over the tabloids, oops I mean fox news. :-) I see people present all this anecdotal evidence for what's wrong with US health care, none of which is based on facts. Heck our free clinics probably exceed quality standards of most other hospitals outside the US.
just my $0.02. Which won't even buy you a bandaide today. :-)
I think if I ever would lean toward Ablation I would go the Stereotaxis system for my SVT's.
A-fib get a hand held doc that didn't have issue's with drugs, alcohol, or tennis elbow :)
A-fib get a hand held doc that didn't have issue's with drugs, alcohol, or tennis elbow :)
I live in Canada, and really I have no complaints about the quality of care here, it is fantastic. I didn't mind the wait, as I was not ready at first. I had to have that time to have a few more attacks, and be fed up enough to get it done!!!
I have spoken to many people in the US who can't even go to a doctor because they have no coverage, they are very frightened, but simply can't afford to get tests or procedures done. I lived in the States with my family as a child, but my Dad had a heart attack, so we had to come back to Canada because we could not afford his care there. We would have loved to stay though. I love it there and I love it here!
They never make you wait here if it is urgent or if you are in a lot of pain...but the wait times are out of control for sure! No one pays though, so even if you have no job, no coverage, you get the same care as the CEO of a big company!! Your system sounds fabulous!! I think as society ages, we will all feel the shortage of doctors and health care...
I have spoken to many people in the US who can't even go to a doctor because they have no coverage, they are very frightened, but simply can't afford to get tests or procedures done. I lived in the States with my family as a child, but my Dad had a heart attack, so we had to come back to Canada because we could not afford his care there. We would have loved to stay though. I love it there and I love it here!
They never make you wait here if it is urgent or if you are in a lot of pain...but the wait times are out of control for sure! No one pays though, so even if you have no job, no coverage, you get the same care as the CEO of a big company!! Your system sounds fabulous!! I think as society ages, we will all feel the shortage of doctors and health care...
AF ablation is a big deal. It is not for the faint of heart.
The doctors issues...
The procedure is hard to do. AF ablators know AF diminishes quality of life, but we also know the delicate balance of performing a life-enhancing procedure that has potential catastrophic complications. This tightrope makes me nervous. No other procedure induces a fraction of the mental worry of an AF ablation.
The procedure requires standing with a lead apron and focusing for three hours. An AF ablation is hard on the doctor (human). Not complaining, just stating the facts. It limits what else you can do in a day. In the past, AF ablations were once per week. As ablation technology advances along with our skills, the temptation to help more patients has been hard for me to control.
In private practice EP, most can only ablate two full days per week. There are office patients to see, non-reimbursed patient phone calls to make and the mundane cardiac devices to implant. Reality.
Stop whining and just refer these extras to other ablators, one might suggest.
I am glad you pointed this out.
You see, AF ablation is technically demanding, physically exhausting, potentially dangerous, and takes years to get good at. Also, it is compensated at the same rate as an ablation that takes 45 minutes. It is not hard to imagine that there are only a few of us doctors who do this. In my city of a million people, there are really only two other electrophysiologists who do this procedure enough to have sufficient skills. Sadly, there are many "dabblers" in AF ablation, which of course, means their are patients of "dabblers." There are few other doctors to refer to. Reality, again.
Conclusions and Wishes…
We ablators are human. In our present paradigm, it is impossible to ablate all potentially curable AF. For every forty-something intermittent fibrillator with a normal heart, there are four older patients, with thighs as big as a waist, diabetes and sleep apnea. They have symptoms too, and look at you like they know you might be able fix them. But, we are only human, and right now, despite the desire to do so, we cannot ablate every AF patient. Those patients in the grey of decision making are subjected to the rationing of realism.
A perfect world of AF care would entail many differences. Just one fantasy, would be to have helpers in the EP lab. I could train non-doctors to put sheaths in and handle catheters. It is just a physical learnable skill. That would help. But this could never happen in our present legal climate. Forget it. Especially in a state like KY, where I can't tell you how many times I have heard nurse administrators speak the words, "that's not in a nurses' scope of practice."
Another societal solution would entail having more doctors to do procedures like AF ablation. That should be easy. EP training took only eleven years and 110,000 dollars after college. Then, as an experienced specialist, it took me four or five years to get really comfortable with the procedure.
This is a tug-of-war. Modern medicine advances. We can now successfully treat historically incurable diseases. But to do so requires much from the doctor and from technology. AF ablation may only be a metaphor for an upcoming paradox in medical therapeutics: treatments may exist, but they will necessarily be rationed because of the scarcity of human-power to perform them.
http://drjohnm.blogspot.com/2010/04/reality-of-rationing-complex-procedures.html
Dr.s blog comment good also
The doctors issues...
The procedure is hard to do. AF ablators know AF diminishes quality of life, but we also know the delicate balance of performing a life-enhancing procedure that has potential catastrophic complications. This tightrope makes me nervous. No other procedure induces a fraction of the mental worry of an AF ablation.
The procedure requires standing with a lead apron and focusing for three hours. An AF ablation is hard on the doctor (human). Not complaining, just stating the facts. It limits what else you can do in a day. In the past, AF ablations were once per week. As ablation technology advances along with our skills, the temptation to help more patients has been hard for me to control.
In private practice EP, most can only ablate two full days per week. There are office patients to see, non-reimbursed patient phone calls to make and the mundane cardiac devices to implant. Reality.
Stop whining and just refer these extras to other ablators, one might suggest.
I am glad you pointed this out.
You see, AF ablation is technically demanding, physically exhausting, potentially dangerous, and takes years to get good at. Also, it is compensated at the same rate as an ablation that takes 45 minutes. It is not hard to imagine that there are only a few of us doctors who do this. In my city of a million people, there are really only two other electrophysiologists who do this procedure enough to have sufficient skills. Sadly, there are many "dabblers" in AF ablation, which of course, means their are patients of "dabblers." There are few other doctors to refer to. Reality, again.
Conclusions and Wishes…
We ablators are human. In our present paradigm, it is impossible to ablate all potentially curable AF. For every forty-something intermittent fibrillator with a normal heart, there are four older patients, with thighs as big as a waist, diabetes and sleep apnea. They have symptoms too, and look at you like they know you might be able fix them. But, we are only human, and right now, despite the desire to do so, we cannot ablate every AF patient. Those patients in the grey of decision making are subjected to the rationing of realism.
A perfect world of AF care would entail many differences. Just one fantasy, would be to have helpers in the EP lab. I could train non-doctors to put sheaths in and handle catheters. It is just a physical learnable skill. That would help. But this could never happen in our present legal climate. Forget it. Especially in a state like KY, where I can't tell you how many times I have heard nurse administrators speak the words, "that's not in a nurses' scope of practice."
Another societal solution would entail having more doctors to do procedures like AF ablation. That should be easy. EP training took only eleven years and 110,000 dollars after college. Then, as an experienced specialist, it took me four or five years to get really comfortable with the procedure.
This is a tug-of-war. Modern medicine advances. We can now successfully treat historically incurable diseases. But to do so requires much from the doctor and from technology. AF ablation may only be a metaphor for an upcoming paradox in medical therapeutics: treatments may exist, but they will necessarily be rationed because of the scarcity of human-power to perform them.
http://drjohnm.blogspot.com/2010/04/reality-of-rationing-complex-procedures.html
Dr.s blog comment good also
I know what you mean; I couldn't have asked for better insurance coverage when I went in for my ablation; had they made me wait for months for referrals and red tape, I would have died, at that time we paid $830 monthly for a family of 4 (group coverage).
I stayed 4 days which included the RF ablation, testing daily, cardiac MRI, genetic testing, CT's, Xrays, cardiac catherization, pacemaker/icd implant my hospital bill was $275,000 just for those 4 days - I paid $338.00 - because I had met my $3,000 deductible for the year with previous testing & doctor's visits. My ICD device alone was something like $125,000.
Now the downside - because my medical costs were almost $500,000 for the year, they uprated our policy 33% for the next year and put a rider on my health plan for the amount of coverage yearly even though I had only 1 previous surgery (female) in over 20 years, and no other major health problems.
The Stereotaxis system is supposed to be a great system for patients who have difficult cases and need ablation at the RV apex; this was in another thread recently about RV Apex ablations or something similiar - there's a few links and info to it, but I can't remember off the top of my head.
I stayed 4 days which included the RF ablation, testing daily, cardiac MRI, genetic testing, CT's, Xrays, cardiac catherization, pacemaker/icd implant my hospital bill was $275,000 just for those 4 days - I paid $338.00 - because I had met my $3,000 deductible for the year with previous testing & doctor's visits. My ICD device alone was something like $125,000.
Now the downside - because my medical costs were almost $500,000 for the year, they uprated our policy 33% for the next year and put a rider on my health plan for the amount of coverage yearly even though I had only 1 previous surgery (female) in over 20 years, and no other major health problems.
The Stereotaxis system is supposed to be a great system for patients who have difficult cases and need ablation at the RV apex; this was in another thread recently about RV Apex ablations or something similiar - there's a few links and info to it, but I can't remember off the top of my head.
I could give the same comment about Finland being the best too. I was surprised that I got the ablation that quickly. It only took time as the EP/ cardiologist only comes to the hospital that I was treated in once every 2nd month.
We have only a handfull of cardiologists that specialise in EP studies and ablations. I was very grateful that he took me straight away. I have no medical insurance at all.
We have only a handfull of cardiologists that specialise in EP studies and ablations. I was very grateful that he took me straight away. I have no medical insurance at all.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Why does medicine cost so much in the USA? I'd say because it is the best. And fastest.
My wife went to the emergency room about a month ago because of stomach pain, the ER doctor found a possible cancer in the female organs. See was able to get all the tests, and see three different doctors, including specialist in the next two days. She had a planned week of vacation and took it, and when she came back from vacation she had an appointment the next day with a Gynecologic Oncologist surgeon and had surgery the following Monday. The prognosis is all the cancer was removed.
Now this is medical care USA wise, I don't look forward for any imporvement with the mess coming out of Washington DC.
P.S. We've had medical insurance most of our adult lives, and now have Medicare plus private insurance. This means we'll see very small bills for all the work that was done, GO USA!
My wife went to the emergency room about a month ago because of stomach pain, the ER doctor found a possible cancer in the female organs. See was able to get all the tests, and see three different doctors, including specialist in the next two days. She had a planned week of vacation and took it, and when she came back from vacation she had an appointment the next day with a Gynecologic Oncologist surgeon and had surgery the following Monday. The prognosis is all the cancer was removed.
Now this is medical care USA wise, I don't look forward for any imporvement with the mess coming out of Washington DC.
P.S. We've had medical insurance most of our adult lives, and now have Medicare plus private insurance. This means we'll see very small bills for all the work that was done, GO USA!
Are you in the UK?
I am originally from Sheffield, but moved out here to Finland.
I waited 5 weeks from diagnosis to get an ablation. I am glad it wasn't longer or I would have chickened out!
I am originally from Sheffield, but moved out here to Finland.
I waited 5 weeks from diagnosis to get an ablation. I am glad it wasn't longer or I would have chickened out!
Oh, and on the latest and greatest equipment, I'd rather have the greatest doctor, hands down, any day!! :)
Hi,
We don't pay anything here, unless you want a private room or something extra like that. But, the result is incredibly long waiting lists, I waited 18 months for my ablation. If there are emergencies, you get in right away, which bumps everyone else down the list again. Our health care is excellent though, our equipment is great, and we have top notch doctors. My EP doctor has written several papers for international medical journals on arrhythmias and ablations.
So it's free, but you have to be patient if your condition is not life threatening... They found a tumor in my husbands intestine, and he was in for further testing that week, and surgery the following week. He was in hospital for 10 days, and again at no cost to us.
Michelle
We don't pay anything here, unless you want a private room or something extra like that. But, the result is incredibly long waiting lists, I waited 18 months for my ablation. If there are emergencies, you get in right away, which bumps everyone else down the list again. Our health care is excellent though, our equipment is great, and we have top notch doctors. My EP doctor has written several papers for international medical journals on arrhythmias and ablations.
So it's free, but you have to be patient if your condition is not life threatening... They found a tumor in my husbands intestine, and he was in for further testing that week, and surgery the following week. He was in hospital for 10 days, and again at no cost to us.
Michelle
Perhaps because it's not underwritten by the government. The current administration is trying hard to change that though whether the public like it or not. With insurance, my EP procedure will personally cost me (US) $100. I currently pay $44 per week for medical insurance for my spouse and myself with the rest (the lion's share) covered by my employer.
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