A question for those of you that have been tested for a PFO

[StreetDoctor]

I'm not starting this thread to debate whether or not PFO testing is necessary so please don't take it there. I've decided that before I get too far into technical diving I'd like to be screened for a PFO. I spoke to my Dr. today and he gave me a prescription for a TEE. After speaking with his nurse it seems the problem is going to be getting the insurance to cover it. I do have a major health insurance company and right now my prescription has a diagnosis of headaches, with a TEE recommendation to R/O PFO. Because I have reoccurring "headaches". For those of you that have been sucessful in getting your insurance to cover a TEE and have not suffered DCS what have you used for a diagnosis?

 

[Rhone Man]

Assuming that your insurance doesn't cover it, how much (in general terms) does it cost?

I always assumed because it was "elective", then most people paid for it themselves, but maybe not.

 

[StreetDoctor]

From what I understand it's not too difficult to get the TEE covered, if you elect to have the PFO repaired then I believe most people pay out of pocket. I believe the TEE is a couple thousand with the repair being around 20k in the US.

 

[netmage]

From what I understand it's not too difficult to get the TEE covered, if you elect to have the PFO repaired then I believe most people pay out of pocket. I believe the TEE is a couple thousand with the repair being around 20k in the US.

I'm surprised they didn't require a TTE first, which is notorious for false negatives....

 

[StreetDoctor]

I'm surprised they didn't require a TTE first, which is notorious for false negatives....

He brought up a TTE but I specifically requested a TEE and he was in agreement to it being the golden standard for testing.

 

[netmage]

He brought up a TTE but I specifically requested a TEE and he was in agreement to it being the golden standard for testing.

Agreed, my TTE came back negative, TEE found 3 holes...

 

[wedivebc]

I'm surprised they didn't require a TTE first, which is notorious for false negatives....

That is the way its done in Canada. TTE first then if negative or inconclusive then TEE. I had TTE done and left it at that. It was negative but my DR convinced me the test was pretty effective.

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

Off topic a little --

Just a plug for a study Dr. Petar DeNoble at DAN and I are doing on divers with PFO. We have developed a registry for divers with PFO and will be following them for 5 years. This is for anyone with PFO whether they elected to have it closed or to leave it alone. We've gotten about 50 interested people but are looking for 120 (for statsitical reasons). If you or anyone you know has a PFO and would be interested, drop me an email at debersole@pol.net. The study is going to our IRB next week and if approved we will begin enrolling by the end of the month.

Doug

 

[ScubaInChicago]

Off topic a little --

Just a plug for a study Dr. Petar DeNoble at DAN and I are doing on divers with PFO. We have developed a registry for divers with PFO and will be following them for 5 years. This is for anyone with PFO whether they elected to have it closed or to leave it alone. We've gotten about 50 interested people but are looking for 120 (for statsitical reasons). If you or anyone you know has a PFO and would be interested, drop me an email at debersole@pol.net. The study is going to our IRB next week and if approved we will begin enrolling by the end of the month.

Doug

Cool, how much does it pay?

 

[Lopaka]

For those of you that have been sucessful in getting your insurance to cover a TEE and have not suffered DCS what have you used for a diagnosis?

MRI that turned up a small stroke. Testing for clots covered as well as ECG (or was that a TTE with the bubbles?) and TEE, followed by the Amplatzer device install.