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Does Bronchiectasis warrant a COPD diagnosis

Posted by rosalynclifton @rosalynclifton, 3 days ago

I have MAC and Bronchiectasis but my medical file includes a COPD diagnosis. COPD has disqualified me from changing my Medicare supplement policy which goes up every year. Is it possible to remove COPD from my records? Will it make a difference to the insurance companies?

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 7 hours ago
In reply to @rosalynclifton "Thanks for the input. I’ll see my pulmonologist soon for results of my CT scan. The..." + (show)
@rosalynclifton

Thanks for the input. I’ll see my pulmonologist soon for results of my CT scan. The CT should show if I have COPD in addition to the others. By the way, the Medicare supplements initially have to take you with preexisting conditions, but if you later want to change to a lower cost policy, they can deny. The Part D drug plans are the only ones restricted to the enrollment period so the Part B supplements can be changed anytime if you qualify. I will find out if Bronchiectasis is viewed in the same way as COPD by the insurance companies.

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It might be helpful to find out who entered the diagnosis of COPD. For example, when I was seen by a specialist for a totally unrelated (orthopedic) matter, their system did not have a place for the diagnosis "Bronchiectasis" or "Lungs-Other" so the rooming Medical Assistant, without my knowledge, entered "COPD".

I was lucky that my insurer sent a message "You have been diagnosed with a new Medical Condition." As soon as I saw what it was, I immediately had it corrected - I have enough diagnoses already for an army - no need to add an incorrect one.

I always read the clinician's "After Visit Summary" for the same reason - in one they listed "daily opioid use" even though I was given 20 oxycodone after surgery and only used a few of them. That can bite you down the road.

I hope you can get the record corrected.

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