Has anyone had a replacement due to a recall?

If you have had a recalled device replaced, I have a few questions for you. A friend of a friend has been told hers is recalled. The amount Medtronic is offering for out of pocket expenses is well under her insurance out of pocket. Seems to me it shouldn't cost her anything, just because they aren't offering much doesn't mean she shouldn't go after them for more.

10 Comments

Recall ????

by Suz2015 - 2016-03-09 01:03:08

Do you know what model and where is was put in ?Freaky.

Recalls

by Tracey_E - 2016-03-09 01:03:26

If you had one that's been recalled, they would have notified you
http://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/safety/listofrecalls/

Interesting Tracey

by IAN MC - 2016-03-09 02:03:04

Here in the UK we have Consumers's Rights Laws which entitle people to a complete refund if faulty goods are supplied; I'm sure you have similar laws in the US.

I'm not sure where we stand legally regarding costs involved in the fitting / installation of a replacement product though..

Morally and ethically, Medtronic should pay the total replacement bill in my view.

Ian

Recall

by Good Dog - 2016-03-09 07:03:25

I had a lead recalled. They didn't require me to have it replaced until I had a generator change. Since that was the case, there was no additional cost to me. The new lead was free. I paid my usual out-of-pocket expenses.

David

Tracey

by Grateful Heart - 2016-03-09 07:03:43


Is it the St Judes defib lead that they are recalling? That's what I see on the FDA link. Sometimes they just watch the leads but obviously a defib lead cannot just be watched.

I don't see a PM device recall on that page unless I am missing it.

Grateful Heart

Grateful Heart

by Tracey_E - 2016-03-09 08:03:45

It's the Medtronic that was recalled for faulty battery last fall. It's a class two, best I can tell that means they are just watching unless the patient is dependent, which she is, in which case they recommend replacement. I don't really know that much about it, just that the amount they offered her is a fraction of her out of pocket through her insurance and she can't afford the difference. The daughter (my friend) is coming into this knowing nothing other than what they told her mom at her last visit, which was the first she heard about the recall. I'm just trying to collect some information to help her know where to get started.

Tracey

by Grateful Heart - 2016-03-09 09:03:03


I agree, somebody should make good on it. I'm guessing the insurance won't budge....they are getting worse with what they will and will not cover. She can try to appeal it but it seems Medtronic should be responsible in that case. Maybe try the Patient Advocate in the hospital?

I wish her luck. Let us know how it works out for her...I'm sure she won't be the only one with this issue.

Grateful Heart

Grateful Heart

by Tracey_E - 2016-03-09 11:03:35

I can see the insurance not covering it at all, no different than if it's something that should be covered by car insurance or workman's comp. I don't really blame them in that case, why *should* they pay for Medtronic's mistake? Patient Advocate is a great idea, thanks. Really, you'd think her doctor would be more helpful. He scared her, she left thinking it could fail at any time but they didn't give her any solutions.

I would think...

by Grateful Heart - 2016-03-11 02:03:27


...that's the way it should be searchingwoman.

Tracey I agree....you would think her doctor would be more helpful. They have to know what to do in these cases of recalls.

Grateful Heart

my recall experience

by searchingwoman - 2016-03-11 03:03:12

The leads of my Medtronic pacemaker were recalled 4 years after my very first pacemaker implant! Medtronic paid for my whole surgery plus the new pacemaker! I have had a St. judges ever since.

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