Battery replacement not covered by Medicare?

A rumor: Medicare won't cover pacemaker battery replacement for elderly people? Is this true?

6 Comments

Grampa Jim

by JimSz - 2012-12-21 02:12:48

Glad to see your posted comments because my 2-channel, full time pacer is not going to make it to the projected 10-year estimate. During my last check-up I was dialed back to a 58, I presume to slow me down a bit .
During the year or so leading up to getting my pacer, I probably wen through everything all of you have also probably experienced. So, after the implant, and after I was certain it seemed to be working as advertised, I haven't missed ANYTHING, or any opportunities or to be active- - -could be why I'm a little ahead of schedule for a replacement.
Dec 21 , wow, that's today, is my pm anniversary, and I'm now 7 years older because of it. LIFE IS GOOD!

No that is NOT true

by janetinak - 2012-12-21 03:12:09

I am om Medicare & when the time came Aug 2011 I went in & it was all covered. I had met my deductible & didn't pay anything Part B monthly payment.

My EP had me in every month for 8 months for office check ups until it went into Elective Replacement Time. Was very close & surprised all of us it took 8 months to go int ERT In fact at the 8th month it hadn't gone into ERT & then 2 wks later it went in & I called & went in as it started to conserve battery & my pulse stayed at 60 to conserve the battery. Smart little buggers, our PM's. Medicare paid for every one of those visits.

Ignore the rumors that we will not get coverage when we get to a certain age so called "death squads" are just scare tactic by some folks.

Janet

Meant to say that I paid my Part B

by janetinak - 2012-12-21 03:12:37

payments

I looked up your info, we are the same age & have the same company (Boston) PM

Hope that helps,

Janet

No problem

by ElectricFrank - 2012-12-23 01:12:54

I'm going on 83 and on my second device. It was replaced in 2010 on Medicare. I didn't even have to wait til it went into EOL mode.

So don't let the wild stories get to you.

By the way the reduction to 58 isn't to slow you down. This is the lower limit it will allow your HR to go to. Sometimes turning down a bit will save on battery life and make it easier to go to sleep.

I never have any problem pushing my HR up to 130 or so and am very active.

frank

Battery replacement not covered by Medicare

by AZDAVE - 2012-12-23 11:12:24

Many thanks to all that replied to my question.
Although I felt this was just an incorrect rumor it is good to learn the straight story.
Thanks again,
AZDAVE

Grampa Jim

by JimSz - 2012-12-27 10:12:32

Frank, Thank you for the info; sounds liike I can ask that my threshold be bumped back up to 60. That seemed to be OK prior to this last adjustment, and I certainly seemed to be better off climbing the stairs.

You know you're wired when...

Jerry & The Pacemakers is your favorite band.

Member Quotes

But I think it will make me feel a lot better. My stamina to walk is already better, even right after surgery. They had me walk all around the floor before they would release me. I did so without being exhausted and winded the way I had been.