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Pain Pump or spinal cord stimulator?

Posted by gaskell @gaskell, Jan 26 3:28pm

I am 79 years old and have had a pain pump for 10 years. It needs filling every few months. I am worried about being placed in a nursing home and the pain pump not filled as often as it should be. Should I have it removed and have a spinal cord stimulator implanted instead?

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Profile picture for fjeldbar
fjeldbar | @fjeldbar | Jan 30 10:25am
In reply to @bajjerfan "@fjeldbar What is copay? My previous search suggested copay of $1000-$1200 for 1 week trial and..." + (show)
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@fjeldbar

What is copay? My previous search suggested copay of $1000-$1200 for 1 week trial and around $3K for the whole process. FWIW I have plan N. I learned the DUMB WAY not to have my supplement plan pay my copay.
https://www.google.com/search
Medicare Coverage and Costs (Approximate)
Coverage: SPRINT PNS is typically covered under Medicare Part B as an outpatient procedure.
Deductible/Coinsurance: The Medicare Part B deductible ($257 in 2025) applies, and you will generally pay a 20% coinsurance on the procedure cost.
Trial Procedure Costs: Medicare enrollees have paid an average of $1,070 at ambulatory surgical centers and $1,384 at hospital outpatient departments.
Permanent Procedure Costs: Medicare enrollees have paid an average of $3,762 at ambulatory surgical centers and $1,799 at hospital outpatient departments.
Copayment: A separate copayment may apply if the surgery is in a hospital setting.

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@bajjerfan I checked for preauthorization on my Part B Blue Cross IL for coverage. I would think supplement N will cover as well. I will keep checking my Hospital charges, but I supposedly was covered by supplement, whatever costs Medicare did not cover. I feel like I am kind of a guinea pig, but it is OK. I hope I do not get a bill, but will go down swinging if I do!

Again, I am thinking this is worth a try. as nothing else works and they are so stingy with Tramodol or other pain meds for us who need them.

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bajjerfan | @bajjerfan | Jan 30 11:53am
In reply to @fjeldbar "@bajjerfan I checked for preauthorization on my Part B Blue Cross IL for coverage. I would..." + (show)
Profile picture for fjeldbar @fjeldbar

@bajjerfan I checked for preauthorization on my Part B Blue Cross IL for coverage. I would think supplement N will cover as well. I will keep checking my Hospital charges, but I supposedly was covered by supplement, whatever costs Medicare did not cover. I feel like I am kind of a guinea pig, but it is OK. I hope I do not get a bill, but will go down swinging if I do!

Again, I am thinking this is worth a try. as nothing else works and they are so stingy with Tramodol or other pain meds for us who need them.

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@fjeldbar

I don't have any trouble getting Tramadol, tho it's not all that effective. I take it in the morning to jump start my day. Nothing to date that's supposed to help with nerve pain has really worked. I think there is some nerve pain, but the rest could be due to some sort of muscle issue. When I walk my lower back muscles start to tighten up until it seems like I'm being forced to stop. One would think that a trained kinesiologist would be able to figure it out.

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bilt4pain | @bilt4pain | Feb 1 7:36am

I’d highly advise you not to have your pump removed! Your pain doc should be able to set up a home/facility refill procedure. I have both. First stim was 2014 St. Jude with telepathy charging belt. Stay far away from. It’s a nuisance to recharge. It helps, but can’t touch the pump for efficacy in pain management. I have a 16 lead system but it still can’t get much higher than my waist for relief. The pump does the heavy lifting, the stim, for me, is very effective in Tingle mode, when you can feel it like a half body TENS unit to relieve neuropathy, radicularopathy, knee pain etc. I’m fused from C3-C6, T2-S1
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