National Jewish Center Visits

I know many of you have been to NJC. Won't someone PLEASE help me learn how to get there and the steps I have to take.

Good Morning. I have been a patient at NJH since 2019. I had a referral initially but I was a local. Now living in S. Dakota. Whether or not a referral is needed might depend on your insurance, etc. so I would contact their main line which is on the website. They will be able to answer your questions and get you pointed in the right direction. Since you are out of state you will be assigned a patient advocate who will handle the appointment scheduling. Good luck.

I have been a patient at NJH for 2 years and continue to do so.
The main number is (303-398-1355) and they will guide you in the direction to a patient advocate. You do not need a referral and once you get scheduled plan to be there up to 10 days for your first visit. They are wonderful and so educated and I feel it will be well worth it for you.

I went to National Jewish in Oct. 2023. With my Medicare and Supplement Insurance I was able to make my appointment directly with them, I referred myself.
However, I also called ahead of time and talked to the financial department, ( I believe it was the financial department) to be sure my insurances would cover all. All was covered by Medicare and the Supplement Insurance.
What I appreciated was all the testing they did to either rule out or find any possible problems I might have that could related to the Bronchiectasis etc.
One test confirmed I have a small hiatal hernia which I did not know of until going to NJH.
Reality is, to me, I have told myself so much depends upon me and my doing what I need to do for myself and the doctors are there for us to know what tests to order and do, to tell us of all the findings and then tell us what we need to do for ourselves such as what medications that can/should be suggested or not suggested according to what the tests say and what our own bodies will tolerate. NJH has been doing this since the late 1800's with the doctors that have practiced there through the years.
Wishing you all good decisions and outcomes with what you decide.
Barbara

It all depends on your insurance company as to whether or not you require a referral. When I went to National Jewish for my ideopathic emphysema, it was not required by my insurer that I or my H nor kids have referrals. My internist wanted to refer me in any case.

In terms of payment/ reimbursement, working with your insurer is very important. My PPO BCBS made it very easy for me. My NJH pulmonologist stayed in touch with me and helped me manage my care largely by email for 16 years. When he retired, I got him to refer me to a doctor at UCSF, where I continue to receive care (tho I live in Honolulu). Now that there is telehealth it may be easier to have care remotely—that wasn’t an option when I received care and I would fly to Denver every two or so years until 2009 (when the 5000 foot altitude got too challenging for me), plus a big week-long re-evaluation in 2016 as my care was being transferred to UCSF.

Also, if you are a patient at NJH, they have a list of hotels that have special NJH rates. That was helpful for us when we had our visits.

We stayed at Hampton Inn Cherry Creek. Free parking so we could do a bit of roaming away from NJH and breakfast was included.

Hi Barbara -
I'd love to hear a little about how your visit went and what to expect. I am heading there in a couple of weeks, so any insider info "hacks" would be very much appreciated!
Kind regards,
Jill

Hi Jill- Had not seen a post of yours recently and had thought of you and wondered how you are doing.?
Not sure I have any "hacks' .
However, one of the things I think is good for us is to ask for a review of the daily tests at the end of each day rather than the way I received the test results. My review of all the many tests was given to me on the last day of my visit, all the tests results at one time. Too much information to digest all at once verses getting the results at the end of each day. If that is possible. One person on this site, Mayo, said that they did get results at the end of each day. Getting the results at the end of each day will allow you to digest and reflect or search info in the evening about what you were told, to understand all and possibly think of questions you might need answers to for clarification.
The other thing that I feel they needed to do is to dedicate more time to teaching the proper use of the Aerobika, nebulizing and the Huff Coughing Method to be sure you truly understand the methods and are doing them correctly.
Sorry to say no one mentioned or showed me Airway Clearance Techniques nor did they take the time with a Respiratory Therapist to make sure I was helped to get a good sputum culture while I was there.
Due to distance I changed from NJH to Tyler, TX. While at Tyler, TX on my first visit Dr. McShane had the Respiratory Therapist come in and do the Nebulizing, Aerobika, Postural Drainage and Huff Cough with me. Just before I did the huff cough the Respiratory Therapist did percussion clapping on my lower lungs. I really produced a good specimen, but, they forgot to label it and I found that out after having left Tyler. The specimen had to be discarded with it not having a label on it with my name etc. Things happen. Dr. McShane on my first visit gave me information on Air Way Clearance and sites to go to to learn how to do Air Way Clearance at home.
So, my disappointment after my visit at NJH, for me, was that they, someone, did not demonstrate, discuss, tell me about or do with me the Airway Clearance Methods. Between Dr. McShane and this Mayo site I learned about Air Way Clearance Methods.
Also, I was not able to have direct contact with the gastroenterologist before leaving NJH and received a prescription for a medication after I was home. He was suggesting I start a medication without being fully informed as to why it was prescribed. Perfection regarding communication etc. is impossible no matter where no matter when. I had to look up on the internet what the medication was typically prescribed for. I didn't like the possible side affects and did not start it. I'm doing fine.
I have made decisions for myself knowing myself and what I feel is best for me in the big picture. As I said am doing fine in the big picture, at least for now and have been for the last couple of years after learning about this journey with Bronchiectasis and the MAC infection.
My worst problem is the constant need to clear my throat of what comes up nearly all day long. No aches or pains and that's a good thing.
Hope this helps in knowing what you can do to help yourself, while there, when it comes to that all important thing called 'communication.'
P.S. The Cherry Creek Area is very convenient to everything. Have you decided where you are going to stay?
Barbara

This protocol is awful. Why go if they are not going to share results as the tests are done. It does not allow for questions with the doctor on what it means and treatment options. And no training on anything is preposterous. I am now rethinking booking a visit there. They sound just as bad as my current one. I thought NJC was the best in the Nation. Any advice on where I should go instead. What is the top ranked center in the US for pulmonary disease

@doberdoo I’ve never been to NJC but I’ve read on this site how people have experienced excellent care there.

Would it be worth just asking in advance how regularly your test results could be shared with you during your stay and if airway clearance techniques could be reviewed with you? Barbara outlined a lot of positives with her treatment there as well.

Does any hospital centre provide an absolute “perfect” experience free of little glitches over a lengthy 8-10 day visit? Maybe not each time and Barbara experienced that as she would have preferred getting her results daily ( if that were possible or at least more often).

An important question though might be, do they have the expertise and are they willing to do testing to diagnose and identify next steps, and follow up with you? Based on what I’ve read from other people’s experience, it sounds like NJC does that for patients. Maybe others could clarify that for you.
All to say, it might still be worth the NJC visit.
All the best with making your decision.