I hit a wall with Hypertrophic Cardiomyothopthy nothing working

Posted by holly1275 @holly1275, Sep 18 6:49pm

Hello
I was wondering has anybody had trouble taking medications ?
It seems like every medication I've tried it doesn't work, I had surgery 11 months ago but according to my Dr my Echo is 46 mm hg at rest and 120 mm hg with Valsva Dr says Mild to moderate Camzyos is one medication I can't take.

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Wow! You have done great. I’m 3 weeks out from my surgery and up to 4000 steps a day. I’m supposed to increase walking every 3-4 days. I’m feeling stronger everyday.

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Profile picture for Debra, Volunteer Mentor @karukgirl

@mbi , that is frustrating isn't it?
This was my experience, maybe it is true for you:

I was sent to cardiac rehab six weeks after my open heart surgery.
It was approved by the hospital coordinator and insurance for six weeks.
On my fourth week the nurse told me there was an issue with insurance and I was not approved afterall.
What? Why?
I had a choice, I could pay for the rest out of pocket ($248 per visit, or something like that) or not come anymore.
Because I felt fine I chose not to go anymore.
Then several months later a bigger confusing insurance issue arose, and even though I was told there would be no charge, it was the hospital's mistake...I was sent to collections.
Grrr!
That made me mad.
Long story, longer...I was told because of the diagnosis used, insurance would not pay.
It's a congenital condition in their opinion because it's genetic.
Totally messed up response in my opinion, because open heart surgery is the reason for the rehab. It should not matter why... your chest was cut open!
I was not on Medicare at the time, Blue Cross of Texas.
Never-the-less it was never paid. And I fought the collection agency and won.
Good thing I kept good records about all the misinformation!
Anyway, that's my little rehab fiasco story. It had to do with the ICD-10 codes used and they ultimately did not approve it.

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@karukgirl
Unbelievable! We have our chests cut open, remove a portion of our heart and we don’t qualify for rehab!!!
Oh well, I’ll continue to walk and get stronger on my own.

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Profile picture for baystater101 @baystater101

@mbi I feel ya re insurance issues.

I'm 73, had my septal myectomy in late July. At the time I was still covered by employer health insurance. I switched to Medicare Part B, plus supplemental (aka Medigap), effective September 1.

I discovered that neither employment-related insurance nor Medicare with supplemental covers cardiac rehab after a septal myectomy, but I had a mitral valve repair at the same time as the myectomy, and both insurances cover cardiac rehab after the valve repair. So I am 3 weeks into the 12-week cardiac rehab program and find it very helpful, not least because I'm wearing a heart monitor at the rehab sessions, which I find reassuring as I build up confidence that my newly reconfigured heart can take the stress of exercise.

I personally don't know the medical/insurance justification for treating the two differently, but I see karukgirl Debra sez she was told post-myectomy rehab is not covered because HCM is congenital.

I agree with Debra that that is a distinction without a legitimately justifiable difference, as anyone undergoing open heart surgery could benefit from a structured, guided post-op program as they return to active physical activity.

I'm a member of the HCM Association. Writing this makes me think I'll suggest to that organization that they lobby for coverage of post-op cardiac rehab for all septal myectomy patients (or maybe the HCMA already recognizes this issue; I'll at least look into it with them). In any event, the HCMA is a great resource for a host of reasons. Find them at < 4hcm.org>.

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@baystater101
Thank you!

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