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Zephyr Endobronchial Valves for Emphysema

Posted by carolannz @carolannz, Feb 19, 2019

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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clipper | @clipper | Feb 19, 2019

@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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walkro9 | @walkro9 | Feb 19, 2019

Save my life n I’ll be your commercial for a life changing product. PLEASE!!!!!!!!

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carolannz | @carolannz | Feb 19, 2019
In reply to @clipper "@carolannz I am not certain but I believe Medicare will cover it. I say that because..." + (show)
@clipper

@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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@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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clipper | @clipper | Feb 19, 2019

@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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clipper | @clipper | Feb 21, 2019

@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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