Interrogations

Had a doctors appointment cancelled for this Friday in Arizona before we head back north to our home. The physician was called out of the country per family emergency. Their office wanted to set up new appointment for June, but with the weather heating up near high hundreds, this won't be possible.
My question is how often does one need to be interrogated. Feeling wonderful and l was interrogated in November when we arrived in Arizona. Is it necessary to be interrogated back home or can it wait until November when we return to Arizona? Appreciate your feed back.
Thanks, Tanapuff.

5 Comments

Interrogations

by golden_snitch - 2015-03-31 02:03:26

In Germany the standard rule for pacemaker patients is every 6 - 12 months. And if the patient is feeling really well, every 12 months is just fine. Insurance here does not cover remote monitoring for pacemaker patients, yet, only for CRT and ICD patients with at least NYHA II. That's simply because there is no data out there, yet, that supports the benefit of remote monitoring for pacemaker patients. All the data we have, like the IN-TIME study, applies to CRT/ICD patients only. So, all pacemaker patients here get the in-office interrogations every 6 to 12 months.

If you need to be seen to satisfy Medicare, then of course you've got to go in. But if this doesn't apply to you, I'd not be as negative as Sparrow. In my opinion - and that's what my EPs have told me, too - how you're feeling is what's most important. Pacemakers are very reliable nowadays.

Best wishes!

Advice I Just Got Today

by Artist - 2015-03-31 02:03:51

I took the recent Medicare billing print out into my Cardiologist's office today. I was concerned because the bill showed a fee of $150 for remote pacemaker monitoring and another fee for $150 for the doctor to read the report and that was identified as being for a defibrillator which I do not have. I was concerned about a possible billing error or Medicare fraud. I was told by the doctors administrative staff and the billing representative, in a joint meeting, that the reason that the bill included $150 for a defibrillator is that Medicare will not let them make two entries using the same billing code. In other words, they could not use the billing code for the remote pacemaker interrogation and then use the same billing code for the doctor's fee for reading the remote report. It still seems strange to me that there is not a separate designated code for the doctor to charge for reading the report from my pacemaker interrogation. I was also told that my Merlin remote monitor checks my St. Jude PM between 2-5 a.m. every night and if there is any problem a report is then submitted to my doctor. Other than that remote monitoring is done every 90 days. I have Medicare and Tricare For Life so I am not sure if that has any bearing on the billing, but all expenses are covered for me. I do not have any appointments with the EP for one year unless there is a problem. I was also told that the monitoring agency determines the schedule for remote monitoring. That makes no sense to me. You would think that the determination is a medical issue that should be based on the doctor's assessment of need. Then again I was just talking to the administrative staff. Round and round I go trying to understand the ins and outs of the situation. I definitely do feel that to some extent I am a welcome "cash cow". I am grateful for the wonderful job my EP and Cardiologist have done though.

How you feel is all that matters

by IAN MC - 2015-03-31 03:03:59

My biggest worry is that they may change something for the worse when you're feeling well , so the fewer interrogations the better !

I have mine done every 12 months and the first thing I say is " Don't change ANYTHING ! " . The only thing I want to know is the forecast remaining life on the battery.

My strong advice would be to do nothing until November when you return to Arizona but I haven't a clue about American insurance systems ; if interrogations raise revenues for companies then I guess they will spout all sorts of nonsense about the need to have them done .

Ian

You have asked "How long is....

by donr - 2015-03-31 06:03:38

.....a piece of string?"!!!!! Frequency of interrogation is really an issue determined between you & the EP - we are all different, w/ different reasons for the varying interval. Sounds like you have had enough significant problems w/ your heart to make the EP a bit wary and want to see you more often. The GUIDELINES published by whatever agency wants to have control over you are just that - guidelines. Perhaps the more frequent meetings w/ you are your EP's way of treating your head in addition to your heart? Wants you to feel confident in things so that you feel you are getting sufficient attention & that she cares.

I read in an earlier post/comment that your EP at home (Somewhere far north of AZ) wanted your CRT-D interrogated monthly. Must have had a reason for that. I did not read about getting that requirement extended. EXCEPT that you now have not been interrogated since last Nov when you arrived in AZ..

It's great that you now feel good. Sparrow is right - make a couple calls & find out what the home EP wants you to do.

Sounds like your meds problems have been solved. That's also great news.

The best to you.

Donr

Thanks

by tanapuff - 2015-03-31 06:03:54

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Just reading all of your thoughts helped. I put in a call to the physician 's office, they had me run a manual interrogation that they can have EP go over while she is called away and get back to me before we head north. I appreciate your help. It's great to have a network of friends that take the time to help.

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