Change of pacemaker instead of Battery

by RickSimeone
2010-05-08 11:05:01
Batteries & Leads
9332 views
12 comments

I had a pacemaker since 2003 and went for a "battery change" yesterdsy. I see now that the doctor gave me the old pacemaker and replaced it with a new model, a St Jude PM2210, replacing a 5376 also from St Jude. Is it normal to just put in a new pacemaker? What about the difference in cost? I am a Senior on Social Sec. and Medicare with Medicare's Advantage program and can not afford another huge bill.

12 Comments

Pacemaker Replacement

by SMITTY - 2010-05-08 01:05:41

Hello Rick,

The battery ran down on my 9 year old pacemaker in Oct. '09 and the pacemaker was replaced with a newer model. Not because I needed a newer model that has more bells and whistles, but because only the factory can replace a battery in the pacemaker. Even if I could have waited while the battery was replaced FDA will not permit reuse of pacemakers in the U.S.. However, the old units are used in animals in the U.S. and in humans in some third world countries. (I got my old one so I could play show and tell with our grand kids.)

Below is a recap of the charges they billed to Medicare. I have no idea how much Medicare paid as my supplemental insurance picked up anything Medicare did not pay and I never see those statements.

Since the subject of replacement pacemaker costs show up here from time to time I posted this on the Pacemaker Club site. Some members commented on the charges for their replacements and those ranged from $35K up to a high of about $150K. So, your costs will depend entirely on where you got your replacement. When the bill comes you may want to take a deep breath before opening.

Removal of old Pacemaker $ 3,397.00
Medtronic Dual W/Rate Resp. 8,700.00
Implanting Pacemaker 16,729.00
Meds and Supplies 867.00
EKG 135.00
Recovery Room 194.00
X-Rays 458.00

Total $30,480.00

My old leads were used. If they had been replaced that would have added several thousand.

Good luck,

Smitty

charges

by dottodot - 2010-05-08 02:05:22

If any of you are on medicare you should have access to a government website called mymedicare.gov. Once you have your password you can go on there to see many things but definitely can find your medical and clinic charges and see what was reimbursed my medicare. You'll be very surprised to find out that medicare (and other insurances) don't pay the actual charges but have a negotiated rate for all these things. Then medicare will pay 80% of what they approve and your co-insurance or you would be responsible for the 20%. It's really interesting.

For Renee

by SMITTY - 2010-05-08 09:05:43

Renee,

While you say you have had your pacemaker only 10 weeks, I have not doubt that you have acquired superior knowledge to that many of us have about pacemakers. I can say that because you frequently show your impressive knowledge by correcting one of the members when you think you know more than they do.

An example is your correction of Tracey when she described the components of a pacemaker for Rick. While I may have used a different description of the components than did Tracey that would not have made my description any more correct. Tracey did not say the various components were housed in separate cases, as you implied she did. In fact I expect Tracey knows better than most, that includes you, what makes up a pacemaker and that it comes in one little package.

A couple of other things while I'm writing this, your quickness to point out anything said by some that you disagree with, or you think you could have said better, is wearing little thin. This club is made up of layman that offers advice in layman's terms, usually based on their experience. While some of that information , at times, may be a little suspect, at no time have I seen advice or comments that was blatantly incorrect.

If you want to destroy this wonderful site, just become the self appointed referee and give the members the impression that their comments will be judged by you and you will point corrections as you deem fit every time they write something.

By the way your comment about hearing aid batteries is only half right. I've worn hearing aids for 7 years. Mine are the in-ear type and the only battery for them is a zinc-air battery. Some of the bigger hearing aids, such as those worn behind the ear, do use a lithium iodide battery. If you come across a lithium iodide battery that will fit the in-ear hearing aid please let me know so I can get some. My zinc-air batteries last only 3 or 4 days and for that reason I have to purchase them in 24 battery packs.

Smitty

recharging

by Tracey_E - 2010-05-08 12:05:21

We call it battery changes, but more correctly it's a lead generator change. The battery, lead generator and computer are one piece.

I wondered when

by walkerd - 2010-05-09 08:05:40

this would happen Ive been biting my tongue on several posts as I dont contribute alot anymore and think I may overreact to some comments made. Guess I hit this one right on the head.
Cant add anything that was answered to ya Rick all I can say is good luck bud. We are between a rock and a hard place with medical care bills, I wish I had the answer.

dave

Renee: Answer regarding Medically Needy

by RickSimeone - 2010-05-09 11:05:21

The website for info on "medically needy" was at The Florida Dept of Children and Families:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/access/

Surprised by changeout of battery

by RickSimeone - 2010-05-09 12:05:45

The bill and the old pacemaker I got back were a surprise to me, and I did not expect a large bill. It is my first experience with Medicare, so I don't know what I will have to pay for this change out.

I had myself and my wife declared "medically needy" under Florida laws for Medicaid, but again have no experience here. We are on social security and my small business, a hot dog stand is just hanging on in this financial climate. Most of my friends have closed up, but I look to things changing and I will be there.

Meanwhile, hopefully this will not bankrupt us. I am not used to this "needy" position and never expected to ever be in this position.

Has anyone had any experience with this Florida "Medically Needy" program?

splitting hairs

by Tracey_E - 2010-05-09 12:05:59

Smitty, You are correct! I did, in fact, know the components are all in one unit. :o) Silly me, I thought that's what I said. Thanks for translating for Renee.

Hey Renee, the single unit that includes the computer and battery? It's called a generator, or pulse generator. Pacemaker = generator + leads. Look it up. If you want to call me on my mistakes, go for it, but please do me the courtesy of reading what I said first and knowing what you're talking about. This is a friendly board and we all generally get along and help each other. Your condescension is hurting the supportive atmosphere that Blake has worked so hard to grow, and it's getting old.

disagreements waste time

by RickSimeone - 2010-05-10 07:05:55

When you guys argue or disagree or just make silly comments or give off incorrect guesses of information, you waste others time. We get a notice of a message, regardless if the new info posted is part of a disagreement or real good info. My suggestion, no, my request is that you all leave your ego some place else and stick to information you know is worth while.

Now, as new to postings, I was asking if a battery that is not full, that is it is approaching replacement, can fail to have the pacemaker do the job? Since my replacement pacemaker, I feel great, much better, less tired, sleep better and even have less breathlessness on working. Is it possible the old battery was just not giving the thing enough fiz????

Name me "Stooooopid" ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-05-10 11:05:05

Of course, only me would hit the "add comment" button twice. I only needed to make the one statement, but, no, I had to send it twice.

Sorry guys/gals ~ this original post was made back on 5/8 ~ maybe, just maybe, this is a null subject and no one is going to see I had a "tapping" finger.

Have a Great Week ~ USA Memorial Day is comin' up soon ~ Let's celebrate our Red/White and Blue ~

Love to all,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS ~ Too Many Mosquitoes! ~

RENEE: Gratitudes to Smitty and TraceyE ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-05-10 11:05:26

I have been out of town for a fabulous Mother's Day with my Families. I wish I had been here when this was first "posted" as I agree with Smitty on his comment.

Thank You Smitty/TraceyE and to all you others who have been wanting to "comment" to many "posts/ comments" by Renee. Yes, this website is used by us, the lay people to share each others experiences and expertise in PM/ICD info, whether it be experiences from years past or from the near past. This is the only site I feel comfortable in using for my PM questions/ concerns because of all the very experienced members on it. "Comments" to my "posts" have been most helpful over the last year, but I do not appreciate anyone who is always "commenting" negatively to each and every "post" by anyone, correcting each and every post/comments. Frankly, this had made for a "bad" atmosphere within the PM Club and what Blake has worked so hard for during the last ten (10) years. I would think Blake is the authority on this website and probably knows as much, if not more than any experienced member OR "newbie". Please keep this website "clean". We are NOT here to "get the last word NOR be THE "authority on every subject. I for sure know I do NOT have a "Dr." in front of my name.

There is NOT any room for "put downs", "snottier than thou" people, nor the "know it all person" on the PM Club website. We all, for the most part, share the same problems/gratitudes as all the almost 11,000 members, but this website does NOT need someone who is always attempting to make every other person appear to be a numskull. Everyone is wrong sometime. Your quickness to point out any "wrongs" someone might have posted, is worn very thin with many members.

Thank you for letting me post/comment what has been bothering me for many months by this member. Now, having said this, let's all smile, tell a joke and make someone laugh for a dose of good medicine.

No need to respond to my comment. I just needed to vent and now I am over "it" & ready to keep going ~

Bear Hugs to All ~
Carolyn G. in TEXAS ~ Take Time to Smell the Roses ~

RENEE: Gratitudes to Smitty and TraceyE ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-05-10 11:05:27

You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic woman.

Member Quotes

I am just grateful to God that I lived long enough to have my ICD put in. So many people are not as lucky as us; even though we sometimes don't feel lucky.