remote transmission

Hi  i thought with the remote transmission that is set up in my home.  Would not need to go to pacemaker clinic .  Was suprised last week before thanksgiving, when i was called to remind me of my appt. on Dec 2nd.  Mentioned to the caller that was sheduled for a transmission on Nov.28th.  Which was sucessfull on Nov. 27th.  She said that was why i was coming in.  I thought it was for the cardiologist check up which whould have been nearly a 3+ month check up for implanted PM.

   When i got there told the gal about transmission, not aware plus my information had not been transferred there from the EP's pacemaker clinic.  Said now it is.  Not sure this new location is being monitored daily.  As this rep. for Medtronic is only there on the first monday of the month.

   She then advised me i should be back to have her do another checkup 6 months from now.  Of course that is 3 days before the scheduled transmission.  Now have an appt for both the PM check and to see the Cardiologist.

  Am being paced at 69%, with a battery life of 11.9 years.  Not sure at 90 would be willing  to go through that surgery to have  battery replaced.

thanks for you help.

mary

    Had a fast heart beat that day, for 6 seconds, asked if i felt dizzy, she said must have been when asleep.  The only thing i remember is an unsteady gait that morning.

 Did ask about leaving for maybe 6weeks, should i take monitor or just visit one of  the Medtronic pacemaker clinics. 

   Guess not been having any problems as no one has notified me.

5 Comments

care link

by new to pace.... - 2019-12-03 12:38:27

thanks, for you answer does answer my concerns and questions. 

The rep said insurance would only pay for every 6 months.

Remote interrogation

by AgentX86 - 2019-12-03 13:02:58

Another reason that you have to go in to the device clinic periodically is to have your settings optimized for your needs. This is the time to talk about how you feel, your energy level, whether you're ever short of breath when walking, etc. They can then change your pacemaker settings to better match your needs. For security reasons, this cannot be done remotely. I make my appointments as close as possible to the time changes so they can set my clock at the same time.

Insurance Reimbursement for Pacer Checks

by Marybird - 2019-12-03 13:04:22

Hi New to Pace,

Some time ago I went looking for information on Medicare/insurance reimbursements for pacemaker/ICD checks, remotely or otherwise. The Medicare sites state that they will pay for routine checks every six months or so. Also stated is that they will also pay for device checks done when there is a problem, either with the device or the patient. 

time change

by new to pace.... - 2019-12-03 19:05:39

I'm not sure there is a time on the PM, as the rep. asked if i was dizzy for 6 seconds on the morning of her check up.  Told her no, than she said maybe it was during the night.  If there was time on there she should have known when the fast beats were.  

Time

by AgentX86 - 2019-12-03 22:48:06

Sure pacemakers have a clock.  You probably didn't feel the tachycardia and she was just brushing it off if you didn't feel it.

In my case, the my PM's minimum rate is set to 80bpm.  Because I had trouble sleeping with my HR that high, my EP had a nighttime rate set of 50bpm.  When that changes matters and a good compromise, for me, is 12:00AM to 6:00AM for the lower rate.  However, shift that an hour either way and I either don't sleep well or don't perform well in the morning, so the PM's clock has to be set to local time.  I hadn't thought about it, but it could get interesting if I travel internationally. I don't so it hasn't been a problem.

You know you're wired when...

“Batteries not included” takes on a new meaning.

Member Quotes

We are ALIVE! How wonderful is modern medicine.