Originally Posted by Bacco
My ablation was paid for by my insurance company (GEHA). Occassionally people have trouble getting coverage with their insurance companies depending on exactly what type of ablation is being performed and their past history. You will need to talk to your insurance company to see if they consider your proposed treatment experimental or approved. FYI, my PVI ablation cost about $50K "retail" which the insurance company got for about $25K under their prenegotiated rates.
My insurance company HMO is "networked" - but it is a medicare wraparound. That means that I can always use the medicare portion of it, at least. I will check further.
I talked with the Cleveland Clinic today, and they accept Medicare. It is difficult to get them to give me an estimate of my out-of-pocket cost, but I will try again later. Perhaps I wil get someone more knowledgeable.
I also talked with Dr. Natale's office, and they have suggested I have my cardio and my PCP forward my med records. I see my cardio tomorrow and will discuss with him.
Originally Posted by skydive69
I am curious as to your and others situation prior to choosing abalation. Where you having constant or frequent (how frequent) symtoms when the decision was made. I would think anyone with infrequent episodes would probably not go that route, but that is what I am trying to determine.
I am in continuous AFib - that mean I do not go in and out of AFib - I just stay there. No meds have been able to control it, nor have any electric cardioversions.
The good thing is I don't have to suffer going in and out, which causes dizziness and trips to the ER for folks with paroxysmal (sp) (in and out) AFib. They get quite scared.
It does mean that I am constantly producing only about 2/3rd's of my cardiac output, which reduces my endurance and power noticeably. It also means that my heart rate is controlled by meds, although my heart does beat faster when I exercise, and I must take warfarin (rat poison) to prevent coagulation in the Atria and subsequent strokes.
All-in-all, it isn't a lot of fun!
The ablation can cure it permanently, if all goes well.