Tying to decide when I should have surgery?

@rlhix The valve function looks fine.

@houston13
Thanks for your best wishes!
I checked the Medicare website about having an ascending aortic aneurysm surgery. They seem a little behind the times, emphasizing an abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery for men and barely mentioning a TAA surgery..........or women (ME!) But the emphasis that caught my attention was Medicare would approve the surgery if it was "medically required". The American Heart Association's red flag surgery guidelines for women is 5.0 cm. I am 4.8 cm and 81 y.o. Of the 2 consulting opinions of thoracic surgeons, #1 said my age and height were factors for surgery. Does anyone have any experience with how rigid, Medicare is to be approving surgery if I am not at the 5.0 cm guidelines, but if my cardiologist and thoracic surgeon confirms its "medically required"?

As of this year, Medicare is requiring pre-authorization (via AI) for 17 different outpatient procedures, & of course due to its complexity & the post - procedure requirement of an inpatient hospital stay, aneurysm repair is not on the list. As long as your attending physician(s) documents medical necessity, there ought to be no issues whatsoever regarding reimbursement. I'm a recently retired Registered Nurse of 4 decades experience including a background in hospital Utilization Management leadership, so I've a bit of knowledge in this realm. In the highly unlikely event that your procedure were to be retroactively denied, it's up to the hospital to render an appeal & contractually, you'd never be financially liable for any charges. Wishing you all the very best!

@johnroy -I am like you very reluctant, but I wonder what happened with Senator Lindsey Graham? Did he know he had an aneurysm? Did he know his measurements? Clearly, he waited too late. I’m just trying to avoid this for myself. I’m sure you’re thinking along the same lines, but this surgery is no walk in the park. It’s a tough decision for all of us.