Micra

I'm 45 year old, triathlete, very active person at work.

about 2 months ago I found out that I needed a pacemaker, so my EP prescript me a MICRA leadless pacemaker, since that in having panic attacks, etc.

i got Blue Cross blue shield health insurance ( Florida blue) they denied my procedures a couple times, they saying that is an Experimental investigational procedure. I'm going to try something called external review, as my last resort, expecting to get approved, meanwhile I would like to know if any of you guys could help me letting me know what kind insurance approve this procedure.

Thanks for your help in Advance.

 

4 Comments

Insurance

by Jamdan - 2017-02-26 13:45:06

thanks for your advices, I will gather everything I can to appeal one more time and go from that.

thank very much!

Research

by Artist - 2017-02-26 14:44:30

I personally hesitate being among the Initial group of people to try out new technoogy, especially when it concerns your cardiac function. I have read comments about problems with leadless PMs.  I suggest that you thoroughly research the device your doctor has prescribed.  Recognizing the fact that you are a very active athlete, you will find that a lot of the PM members are also very active athletes and their PMs have not held them back.  I tend to lean on the side of tried and true technology.  If you use the search tool at the top of this Web site you might find some comments that will help to guide you in your decision. It would also be helpful if the insurance company denying coverage would give more detailed informatIon stating their specific reasons for their decision.  Have problrms been reported to them etc. 

ditto Artist

by Tracey_E - 2017-02-26 20:34:55

The micra is very new, and I believe still considered to be experimental so it's not surprising insurance is questioning it. Why do you need the pacer?  Being athletic isn't really a primary reason for getting this type over traditional. Depending why you need it, it might be the opposite, that it limits you where a traditional type would do a better job of mimicking a normal heart rate. The micra is exciting technology and I surely hope leadless is the way of the future, but it has some severe limitations including not a lot of hospitals can take care of it yet so if you were to find yourself in a new location or with a new doctor, you may have to travel for follow up. We've had that happen with members here. Also, it only paces one chamber, many of us find at some point we need both even though we started out with just one. Just food for thought. Leadless is ideal in a perfect world, however this is still new and a long way from perfect. 

Specific Diagnosis

by BillH - 2017-02-27 23:51:59

What is the specific diagnosis that a PM is going to be used for.

I don't know how a PM can be used for anxiety attacks

 

The Micra is a single lead PM that can only pace the ventricles and has limited applications.

You know you're wired when...

Bad hair days can be blamed on your device shorting out.

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