Posted by Carl Plaskett on March 04, 2004 at 07:23:36:
In Reply to: afib pva posted by Shloime on March 03, 2004 at 21:56:54:
Shloime: Many insurance carriers allow patients to submit the names of doctors they would like to be considered for inclusion in their "networks". Check your policy/handbook to see if such a provision exists. There is often a form for a patient to take to their doctor, which he completes to start the process, which in the case of a specialist, is not likely to be really quick.
You might also look at Americhoice's website. They have many, many physicians listed. Find a doctor with a good track record (on our webpage is a good start) or ask Americhoice for their list of providers who are in "network" but outside of their current coverage areas (that section of the Americhoice website is currently being developed, according to the messaged there). Be specific, Example: ask about the Cleveland Clinic physicians:Natale, Schweikert, Tchou,Gillinov, etc., to see if they are approved. If they are not or the CC is not, ask how you might get them approved. (The criteria is probably: Will they do the procedure for what Americhoice is willing to pay?) Since we know that the CC accepts Medicare for the Maze and PVAs, they must be willing to accept pretty low levels of payment.
Hopefully, someone posting/reading here will see your post and respond with a recent success story from NY and it will be with a doctor on the Americhoice list. To improve your chance of response, you might repost with more details including where you are in NY. Include that location (or at least New York) in your subject, perhaps something like: "Any successful PVAs/Maze vets in New York?", and then ask for specifics, INCLUDING the desire for any bad or unsuccessful experiences and the doctors/facilities involved. KEEP IN MIND that one needs to know how many of the procedures a physician has performed and what his definition of "success" might be. You will want to learn of any strokes or severe stenosis as a result of any procedure performed by a doctor you might be considering. These are procedures in which the adage "practice makes perfect" does apply, as Sarah pointed out a few months ago in her report from attending the Atrial Fibrillation Summit. The doctor and facility/tools available have everything to do with successful procedures.
Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress. Your afib/NSR pattern matches mine during the last year or so of my afib days (pre-maze).
- Re: afib pva shloime 16:29:44 3/04/2004 (0)