(Dec 13, 2014, 05:17 AM)seabiscuit68 Wrote: Did the doctors indicate you should get treatment? Typically, this is treatable with either surgery or a non surgical method using a balloon to close the hole. Most doctors won't suggest treatment for heart related issues until they become symptomatic...which it sounds like yours is.
The balloon is used in a majority of cases now and it's pretty routine and relatively non invasive (hole in your thigh or groin to get to the artery which leads to the heart).
Source: I work for a large med device company specializing in the heart...
My prayers are with you. Thankfully you have roommates / girlfriend and an active online community for support as well, but a little faith can go a long way.
Yes these are my options but not only am I scared but I can't afford insurance because I have a pre existing condition. It's a catch 22. Need money for doctors, must work for money, can't work because sick. Anyway I'm going to figure it out ASAP. Thanks for the help and concern
(Dec 13, 2014, 05:17 AM)seabiscuit68 Wrote: Did the doctors indicate you should get treatment? Typically, this is treatable with either surgery or a non surgical method using a balloon to close the hole. Most doctors won't suggest treatment for heart related issues until they become symptomatic...which it sounds like yours is.
The balloon is used in a majority of cases now and it's pretty routine and relatively non invasive (hole in your thigh or groin to get to the artery which leads to the heart).
Source: I work for a large med device company specializing in the heart...
My prayers are with you. Thankfully you have roommates / girlfriend and an active online community for support as well, but a little faith can go a long way.
Yes these are my options but not only am I scared but I can't afford insurance because I have a pre existing condition. It's a catch 22. Need money for doctors, must work for money, can't work because sick. Anyway I'm going to figure it out ASAP. Thanks for the help and concern
With Obamacare, it is illegal to raise insurance rates / deny coverage for a pre-existing condition. You should be able to go on Nevada's Health Exchange (or the Federal one if Nevada does not have their own) and find a health insurance that will work for you. I would suggest one with as low of out of pocket yearly max as possible, so that when you do the procedure, you are capped at a certain amount that you have to pay.
Also note that the health care industry is VERY willing to help with payment plans. In America, it is very difficult for hospitals to actual get the money they deserve, so contacting the finance group at the hospital will allow you to work out a plan for repayment where you can still afford to live, but also pay the hospital.
There are options, so don't fear that.
As for the actual condition, there are multiple types, but if the doctor said there would be options for non-surgical closure, that is a good thing. Balloons are the preferred method these days and have a 95% closure success rate. The greatest risk to you during the procedure is infection, but the risk of infection for this operation is the same as any surgical operation.
The key thing is to get your options and to get it done sooner rather than later. It is much better for the long term impact on your heart to get it corrected asap.
Dec 13, 2014, 02:34 PM (This post was last modified: Dec 13, 2014, 02:42 PM by seabiscuit68.
Edit Reason: Forgot a word
)
If you hop on healthcare.gov, you will see lots of options for Nevada. I see some that are ~ $140 per month for the premium, have a $500 deductible and $6000 out of pocket maximum. The co-insurance is 20%. You've mentioned on stream that your income is low, so you will more than likely be eligible for government subsidies to help with the costs.
If your procedure costs $10k-$15k, then that would mean you would pay $500 (deductible) and $1900 for the procedure (co-insurance).
With some various other doctors / specialists visits ($20 / $40 co-pays) and maybe some prescriptions to fill ($100), you are looking at around...$2640 in medical costs and another $1800 in yearly premiums for a total of around $4440.
That may seem like a lot, but getting it done will benefit and extend your life extensively.
Here's a link to the plan I am referring to. Note that there are plenty of other plans, I just used this one as an example.
Dang bro. Really hope you get better. Take as much time as you need off from streaming so once you're well we can have some good times together on stream. :D
Absolutely heart breaking, man. I just want to express the appreciation that I have for you and what you do. Thank you for this awesome community and streams! Thoughts and Goomy prayers coming your way!
Hey Justin, I'm sorry to hear about your condition. I know you mentioned that you're scared about the procedures to fix it, but if it makes you feel better, my sister has a BSN and works in a cardiac OR and ICU at a major heart hospital in Atlanta and has seen the procedure done and cared for patients after the procedure if you want to talk to her about it. She said some of the procedures are minimally invasive so you don't have to have your chest cracked open and a lot of hospitals have programs you can enroll in where generous wealthy people donate money to pay your hospital bill for you. Thanks for doing your best in spite of it and keeping up the stream. We'll all be thinking about you!
. Get well soon!
