Alternative Checkup Method for SJM PM221

Folks, I cannot find any reference to my concern, but apologies if it is already covered; maybe someone will refer me. I had a 2004 SJM Pacemaker replaced last week (Oct 21) with the new St Jude Med PM2210, and I understand the new bedside unit will automatically retrieve the PM data and transmit it automatically. However, that leads me to ask if anyone knows all the methods available for transmitting? 1. I have no landline home telephone. 2. I do have a cellphone (StraightTalk) without Android cabilities at my local tower in the big city of Ecru, MS. StraightTalk informs me Android will be available for them soon, but not for Ecru area. Again, my concern is; are there any other options that anyone knows about or am I the black sheep of the PM circuit? Any suggestions or experiences? Cost is a factor to me as I am on SSA and Medicare only. I had to go to the Ecru City Hall and use their phone for my previous PM checkups. Thanks, Jim

6 Comments

Go to St Jude site

by dorieg - 2011-10-28 11:10:48

There is a wifi connection they can use also. Go to their website and you'll be able to find out about it. I just had a dedicated line put in through the phone company that is only for the monitor. Cheaper than a regular phone line. You may want to check with your phone company too.

dorieg

Thank You

by Jim_Ed - 2011-10-29 10:10:47

Thanks, Dorieg, I will check both of those out.

Jim

Wow!

by pacergirl - 2011-10-29 10:10:54

We have been trying to figure out how to get rid of our landline but we never considered getting a dedicated line as Dorieg, suggest. We are going to look into this coming week! Could save us alot of money on the phone. We both use cell phones 99% of the time so the landline is mostly in use for the Merlin unit.

Thank you Dorieg, and good luck Jim_Ed,
Pacergirl

Talk to your phone company

by shockbox340 - 2011-10-29 11:10:56

St. Jude does have a cellular add-on for their home monitor, but they will charge you $17/month for it and it is not covered by Medicare or insurance. Call your local phone company and explain that you need it for medical data transmission only and that you have financial restrictions. Most offer some sort of discounted rate for situations like yours. Be patient, and be nice, and you may get a bargain!

Phone Company

by Jim_Ed - 2011-10-30 01:10:44

Dorieg has suggested WiFi as an option. In my locale, here are my landline options; 1. A dedicated phone company (ATT) line-$30 monthly. 2. A regular minimum phone line (ATT) - $23 monthly. I realize that Medicare only pays for monitoring every three months, so that would either be $90 or $69; whichever option I chose. That is out of my pocketbook range on the monitoring.
I looked on their website for any info on the WiFi, since I have broadband modem with a wireless router, that could be a possibilty. However, I could not find out anything on the WiFi at their website.I sincerely hope this one would work out. If not, then upgrading my cellphone to an LG Android and involving our Senator to get involved to get our local tower equipment upgraded would be a hard and tedious task, but worth the undertaking if it takes it.
Thank you all for your help and comments. Jimmy

Finale Result Outcome

by Jim_Ed - 2011-10-31 03:10:40

Folks, In response to ALL the fantastic suggestions and comments, I have finally narrowed down the least expensive path for the connection/transmission problem I was having. With ATT there is a meaningful terminolgy called "Medical Necessity" Line, or as the ATT calls it, "LIFELINE". With the basic minimum charge of $23 + Taxes, there is a discount of approx $13, which results in a total maximum monthly bill of $17. This is the cheapest way I have found with this device, regarding my personal situation. SSA has granted us a COL increase of 3.6%, which will take up the slack on this increased cost on my part.
I certainly hope someone else benefits from all the work and participation the folks on this great site has contributed. Thanks Again, Jimmy

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