24/7 MCL Heart Monitoring on iphone

Has anyone pursued the route of having the iphone determined a DME? I have 100% heart block. On my 3rd pacer and 1 new lead in 20 years. Cardio surgeon says I must keep my phone with my 24/7 though  transmissions are sheduled at 90 day intervals and occur seamlessly. As such, it seems I must have an iphone to use the monitoring app which means it is a DME. Anyone with insurance experience in most recent times know how to pursue this avenue so needed phone replacements are a covered expense?

3 Comments

DME

by piglet22 - 2024-08-13 19:13:02

Had to look that one up.

Durable Medical Equipment?

In the UK, all this stuff is free, including £1m injections.

My view would be if you are required to have additional equipment to help the clinicians then you shouldn't have to pay extra for it.

I know the two systems are different but introducing MCL  here was simply to allow the hospital to cut out face to face clinics. There's no way I am going to be out of pocket to save them money.

If you are on 90 transmissions, in my trust that would be at close to end of device life. Once a year is the norm.

Increasingly, mobile phone connection is part and parcel of the pacemaker deal and isn't an expensive add-on.

90 days

by Lavender - 2024-08-13 21:20:12

I too am checked every three months. I alternate with an inperson clinic visit and a home transmission which is done while I sleep. 
 

Mine at home are done via a home monitor. My iphone isn't used at all. I do have an app which simply tells me how my battery is doing and when my next transmission will be, as well as how to contact my device manufacturer and troubleshoot any issues with the monitor. 
 

Call your health insurance and ask if they cover the phone. 😉

app on phone

by islandgirl - 2024-09-14 01:23:52

My Abbott CRT-D is monitored by an app on my phone.  I'm supposed to also keep it nearby, particularly at nigh--within 10' or something like that.  Abbott apps work cross platform--not limited to iphone.  I'm so happy to have this feature, as I was recently having a long run of arrhythmias and I was able to manually send a transmission through my app when I was away from my home for a few hours.  It automatically sends 90-day reports, set up by my EP.  

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker interferes with your electronic scale.

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We are very lucky to have these devices.