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Visit to National Jewish Health in Denver, CO
I have read that some people on this site are interested in the value of visiting National Jewish Health in Denver, CO. I spent 6 clinical days there in October. I had consults with 5 physicians. That was decided by my pulmonologist and presented to me with a schedule. I am 84 years old and went alone although most people had a family member or friend with them. I was busy for at least 5 hours every day with testing and consults. I had two procedures requiring anesthesia, both at the same time. I stayed at a hotel as there are no inpatient facilities and traveled back and forth using Uber.
I am new to treatment and still have a lot of questions. I will continue with my pulmonologist in Scottsdale where I live. I could return for scheduled consults there if I choose. I also could have my pulmonologist or any other physician there as my primary.
The Infectious Disease physician was very thorough and suggested I nebulize with Aerobika. The pulmonologist said I only needed to use the flutter device for now. I have been doing that but find
I then have mucus for hours after use, so I am probably going to try nebulizing .
I can keep in touch with the physicians there using MyChart.
I just called up NJH and told the very helpful person on the line that I wanted to arrange a visit. It took about 6 weeks from then until I stepped off the plane.
I'll be happy to answer any questions. No question is not a good one.
Roz
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@activeaura I went in 2023 to NJH. I have Original Medicare and a Supplement Plan/Medigap. Other than the Original Medicare deductible I was not billed personally. The Medigap/Supplement Plan took care of the amount that the Medicare Original did not pay.
If you have an Advantage Plan you will need to see the Advantage Plan will approve your going to NJH and the cost you might be responsible for.
Barbara
Thank you so much. Once I get the call and am father into the process I will ask more questions about where you stayed, how to got around etc. It may be too soon to worry about that right now since the length of my stay many determine my schedule. Stay Tuned.
@activeaura
Sounds like a good plan. You can start looking at places to stay. I wouldn't recommend The Halcyon which is where I stayed. They can send you a list. The process seems complicated, but once you get started, it will fall into place. Roz
@activeaura I've been to NJH 5 or 6 times over the years and unless I'll only be there for a day we always book an Airbnb near the hospital. There are several within walking distance. When you consider the money you can save on meals, transportation, etc and the ease of sterilizing your equipment with a stove or microwave, it's a bargain. Really, it's a bargain anyway, given the price of decent hotels.
@coffcoff How do you find a good Airbnb? Roz
@coffcoff
@coffcoff That is a great idea. I will do that. It does make sense because i heard the hotel within walking distance are expensive. Can I ask, do you use them exclusively as your ID doctor? Or do they work with a local doctor as well. Also, what kind of equipment needs to be sterilized. I have no idea what this disease is all about. Just learning.
@activeaura
I don't have much idea about the disease either. I saw the ID doc there, but I don't have one here. I only use the Aerobika flutter device. I'm sure someone else can help you. Roz
In response to activeaura and rozie83, first, how to find a good Airbnb. Look for something in the area of City Park. NJH is about 1/2 mile south of that. Anything on either side of Colfax near the hospital is probably in walking distance. Also, the Capitol Hill area near the botanic garden is a nice area with lots of places to eat and buy food and it's a short Uber ride to the hospital. In terms of how do you know it's a good place to rent, short answer is, you always take your chances. Read the reviews, make sure they have heat for the winter and a/c for the summer. We haven't had any bad experiences in Denver with the rentals so far.
The doctor I see at NJH (Dr Griffith) is my main NTM doctor but I also have a local ID doc here in Tucson who defers to Dr Griffith. Any local doc worth his or her salt knows that NJH has the expertise and they should work with them. But you'll need a local doc to order meds and bloodwork, etc. when necessary.
As for sterilizing equipment, I'm referring to my nebulizer setup, which I sterilize every third day. If I'm traveling by car I might take a small electric pot to boil water but if you're at a vacation rental like Airbnb, they would have a stove and pots/pans to use (Make sure they mention kitchen equipment on the website). For me the best option is to use a microwave for sterilization, since the microwaveable bags don't take up any space. I use Medela brand and I always make sure that where I'm staying, hotel or rental, has a microwave.
When you visit NJH the first time, you'll meet with a respiratory therapist who will teach you how to nebulize saline and huff cough to expel sputum. They'll also give you the necessary equipment and ask you to start the airway clearance regimen the very first day and from then on. Sorry to say, you'll be with the equipment for a very long time. But you'll get used to it.
Hugs and good luck!
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1 Reaction@coffcoff That was very helpful. Thank you. Roz