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Zephyr Endobronchial Valves for Emphysema
The FDA approved this procedure last June 2018. It inserts valves to useless areas of the lungs to allow the good parts to work more efficiently. The valves are inserted with an endoscope so there is no surgery involved. As you know there has not been many options for us folks with COPD so this has me very interested. Unfortunately Medicare has not yet approved it for payment. The reports of success have been so good. I wonder how long it might take to get the insurance companies on board.
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@carolannz I am not certain but I believe Medicare will cover it. I say that because I know someone getting it done tomorrow and it was delayed because he was waiting on Medicare. I am going to talk to a pulmonologist at Temple University on Thursday about them so I might come back with more info regarding Medicare and coverage.
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1 ReactionSave my life n I’ll be your commercial for a life changing product. PLEASE!!!!!!!!
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1 Reaction@clipper, thank you for that info. Did your fri3end have to have pulmonary rehab before the procedure? I'm in stage 4 and running out of time and this looks so promising.
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1 Reaction@carolannz This is someone I know from another COPD forum, we have talked about this online, not face to face over coffe. He did not mention having to do PR and I think he would of. I do know that he had done PR in the past and has been doing maintenance exercise ever since. I also know of someone else that is having to do PR first. I am guessing it depends on the person.
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1 Reaction@carolannz I did meet with Dr Criner today at Temple U Lung Center in Philly. I was told that Medicare does cover the procedure. I will not have to do pulmonary rehab but I have done it in the past, two different programs and I exercise regularly. There are lots tests, a lot of tests. They will scheduling those for me and only after having done them all will I know if I am a candidate or not.
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1 ReactionThinking of having this done. How are you doing g now?
Any long term effect, breathing?
Thanks,
Kelliejo
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1 ReactionI had the Zephyr valves placed in my left lower lobe in November 2023 and couldn't be more impressed! Valves are placed per bronchoscopy under general anesthesia. Had about a 4-day hospital stay for monitoring then flew home. They have allowed me so much more energy and 02 for activities of daily living. Even was impressed with ability to do weights and aerobics in the gym. I am a true advocate! All the testing is to ensure you meet the criteria for placement of the valves. Hope everything goes well.
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3 ReactionsThank you so much, so glad things are good for you.
Keep staying strong.
I am going to get my Dr. to do a referral to Mayo in Jacksonville. He said Emory, but.I'd rather Mayo.
Take care
Just an FYI and maybe a personal bias! I went to Duke University for the valves. I did weeks of research on them only to find that Duke had gotten in on the ground floor so to speak of the mega-analysis of the valves. There are 2 different kinds, both basically do the same thing just different companies. That "ground floor" was about 16 years ago so they have been doing them for a long time. The important thing is to know where the Pulmonologist trained and how long have they been inserting them. The other important thing. You need to go where you feel the most comfortable. I wish you the best of luck and hope that you will have the same great results that I have had.
Thank you for the info. I will cover all my bases and look into Duke as well.
😊
Kellie
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