Happy and Unhappy

I am happy that my Medtronics Pacemaker is keeping me alive.
I am unhappy because now that I owe my Cardiologist too much money I have basically been "kicked to the curb". I can't get the pacemaker checked any longer so I am kind of hoping someone can tell me if Medtronics has any "free" technicians in Ohio. Funny Huh? I get the pacemaker and the Hospital, Cardiologists and Techs get the Lion's share of money from my Insurance company and now I'm stuck with a piece of hardware that is no longer going to be serviced...great!
PS...I was already strapped financially and had my heart attack one week after my unemployment ran out....I learned a couple of important lessons...Don't let stress kill you and don't wind up being poor in America and most importantly..If you are going to be poor in America be Poor enough to get all the free stuff,,,Geez what was I thinking!

5 Comments

Tough Position To Be In

by SMITTY - 2012-11-29 04:11:08

Hello Mike,


That is sad, sad, state of affairs.

I can think of two things you may have going for you. Medtronic, or any other brand PM seldom have any go wrong with them Routine checkups are done but it is seldom one needs any changes, And the battery usually last 8 or more years. My 1st one lasted 9 years. The best thing for you that I know of is if you do have problem, real or imagined, get your butt to an ER. They are required by law to check out your complaint, I think.

Now I hope some member has some real help for you.

Good luck,

Smitty

Check around

by ryansmom - 2012-11-29 06:11:17

Try to check into getting medicade or another type of insurance because check-ups are so important...My 15 yr.old son has had a pacer since 15 months old and never had a problem until this past Oct.31,2012 where his monitor picked up on a problem and we found out his pacer was defected were he was losing 1 year life in 2 days, he had emergency pacer replacement just 3 weeks ago. Please look into something. best of luck

Sad

by ReWired - 2012-11-29 07:11:12

We live in what was the greatest nation on the planet.. Sell everything you have and get State Aid or Medicare they will also pay 3 months prior.

To be Canadian

by bloc_de_branche - 2012-12-01 01:12:20

I am sorry to hear about your current situation! I feel incredibly sad over this and this pacemaker community should perhaps think that we should create a fundraiser or a charity that puts funds away for needy pacemaker recipients and helps people out who need it!
I lost my job in the spring, my benefits are not the best, I have no extra healthcare to speak of right now but thankfully for Canadian health care system, I am fully taken care of for everything associated with my pacemaker, only thing I have to worry about is paying for my drugs.

The USA might be in some people's opinion the greatest nation on earth, I do not dispute or ridicule your opinions, but thank goodness I live in Canada or I would be out to the curb too, with no way to sustain my healthcare until such time I get back on my feet.

Best of luck to you and if anyone agrees that it's time we get a Pacemaker charity going nationwide if not bigger, to help people, let me know...

Bonne Chance

medicaid

by daisy41763@yahoo.com - 2012-12-01 12:12:56

Go to the department of welfare., apply for help.,take all ypur bills with you. House payments, utilities, trash bills, last paystubs, social security cards for yourself and every family member!! try southwest community action councel. Do you go to church? ask someone there. I went for a long time without insurance, I owe money to lots of drs and so forth. I figure so if I do I do.. take care of yourself so you can return to work..
look out for yourself!!

You know you're wired when...

You name your daughter “Synchronicity”.

Member Quotes

A pacemaker suddenly quitting is no more likely to happen than you are to be struck by lightening.