HCM-ers: Introduce yourself or just say hi

I am aware of some other military families who have been able to consult with Mayo and who have Tricare insurance. If the resources at Mayo Kanaaz referred you to above are not able to assist you, you might want to consult with the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association = http://www.4hcm.org. I know they sometimes help people access care and deal with insurance companies.

Hi @rmwundrow,

I'm sorry about the frustrations you are experiencing with insurance; @cynaburst, do you have any suggestions?

Here are a few Mayo Clinic resources that you may wish to go through:
– Tricare and CHAMPUS (health care program of the United States Department of Defense Military Health System)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/billing-insurance/insurance/accepted-insurance/champus-tricare
– Patient Account Services
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/billing-insurance/contact-us
I sincerely hope this helps.

I'm no help in terms of Mayo accepting Vet Choice, but that is disappointing, very disappointing.

I am looking for verification regarding Mayo HCM Clinic not participating in Vet Choice program. My husband has HCM and he is being told that he will need a Septal Myectomy. He is a VietNam Veteran and we are trying to find the best place to go to for the surgery because the VA Minn does not have Doctors who can perform the surgery. We called Vet Choice and they say we cannot go to Mayo. Could someone please check with Mayo and see if this is really true. I have contacted Steve Ooman's office and believe the VA has already forwarded all pertinent information and a CD with testing results. We can't move forward. We live in a very small city in Wisconsin east of Chippewa Falls. Mayo seems to be the closest and best place for us to go. Please help us get to the bottom of this soon.

My husband is a VietNam Veteran and we live in upper Wisconsin. We have been working with the Minn VA. The Cardiologist there said to "find the best place to have the Septal Myectomy - the place where the surgeon has done the most of these surgeries". So yes, Mayo seems to be the best place however Mayo will not work with the VA to pay for the surgery. I believe Vet Choice is the vendor working with the VA. I have been told by staff at Mayo Cardiology Dept that they will not see my husband. I am very disappointed.

Hello @thiles,

Welcome to Connect. I can only imagine your worry! I’m tagging fellow Connect members @cynaburst @lynnkay1956 @PatMattos @mistymopps3 @daisygirl to bring them into this discussion and possibly address your concerns about sudden cardiac arrest and ICDs.

In the meantime, I found an interesting journal article about HCM and strokes and/or sudden cardiac death which you may wish to view:https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160829094043.htm

@thiles, you mentioned, "I have been Shocked 15 times in the last 2 years by my ICD." May I ask why this occurs so frequently? What do your doctors say about these shocks?

Hi @mehlisue,

Thank you so much for taking the time to follow up after your surgery; I'm certain your insights will be much appreciated by @choochoo @tkterrell @lottyfeeble21 @lina2017.

I'd also like to introduce you to @barbararickard @vialox @lynnkay1956 @PatMattos @Sensation @ronaldpetrovich @lepadelford @wintergirl8 to name a few. Many of them (if not all) have had surgery, some recently and some a while ago.

@mehlisue, you've been through a lot; having such a major surgery is not easy! How are you feeling now? Do you think that undergoing surgery was well worth it?

Justin, Thank you for responding. I will call Monday.

Hello @harrybare,

First, I'd like to mention that it is inspiring to read that you are still playing competitive basketball at 79. As a person who has a competitive drive himself, I can only hope that I am still competing in any sport at that age and will strive to do so.

You asked Colleen about the stem cell program. It may be worth it to check out the following information about the stem cell Consult Service http://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-regenerative-medicine/patient-care/clinical-services/regenerative-medicine-consult-service. Or simply call 1-844-276-2003 to speak with one of our experts. I recommend calling this number as they will be better suited to answer your specific questions.

Hi Colleen, I am interested in the stem cell program at Mayo. I am a resident of St. Augustine, FL. I heard about the success of your stem cell
program at Mayo in Rochester, MN. Do you have a similar program at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL? On November 8, I had a
complete rupture of the quadriceps tendon just superior to the patellar insertion with 9 mm tendon gap. I am a very active 79 year old who,
until November 8, played competitive basketball in tournaments. According to the doctor, surgery would drastically reduce my chances of ever
playing competitive sports again.