ST JUDE MERLIN MONITOR

GETTING MINE NEXT WEEK..NURSE SAID MEDICARE ONLY PAYS FOR THREE TESTS ? ANYONE KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS AFTER I USE THE THREE TESTS ?

IN ADDITION I HAVE A LEAD SINCE 2000 AN ITS A RECALL LEAD BUT THE DR SAID HE'S NOT DOING ANYTHING NOW. WHAT IS INVOLVED WITH REPLACING THE LEAD ? HOW LONG IN HOSPITAL? PAIN ?

2 Comments

Hi

by pacergirl - 2011-05-26 10:05:08

Welcome to the club. :-)

I have a St. Jude Merlin Monitor. It is the easiest thing in the world. Simply follow the directions to get it set up. Which as I recall are: Connect the phone line. Plug it in and set it on the night table next to your bed. The test are simple and you only need to do it once. Read the instructions and you will be fine. You push the button and it will run a test. Then you are all set. Easy peesey. The Merlin will remember and you won't have to run the test anymore. So relax, I really don't think it is going to be a problem.

Welcome once more :)
PG

Medicare and phone tests.

by ElectricFrank - 2011-05-27 02:05:43

There is a lot of miss-information out there about Medicare and pacemakers.

I have had a Medtronics pacer since 2004. I had quarterly office visits for the first few years and then went to alternating phone checks and office checks. Now I have an annual office check plus phone checks for the other 3. Maybe that's what they mean. Anyway, Medicare has paid for all the combination's.

The other possibility is that your doctors office doesn't want to deal with the low fee they get for the checkups.

The best way to deal with it is to ask for specific information as to the Medicare regulations. If they won't tell you let them know that you will call Medicare and find out. My guess is that they will change attitude.

frank

You know you're wired when...

Your ICD has a better memory than you.

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