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and patient advocacy. In a professional editorial for other cardiologists-

It’s easy to dismiss patient advocates as naïve and unwilling to consider the risks and lack of scientific proof of the validity of a therapy. Let’s not forget, however, patient advocacy can be an extremely important contributor to the advancement of medicine.

Smart, educated advocates have formed CCSVI Alliance, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that includes a scientific advisory board.

link

The article claims that the CCSVI venogram will not be covered by insurance. While each patient should check with his insurer before treatment, many of us have been covered by insurance and been charged a relatively low co-pay.

There was confusion earlier when people tried to bill this as an MS-related procecure. It should be coded as treatment for a vascular problem, and viewed that way, it is a standard procedure.

Rosegirl wrote:The article claims that the CCSVI venogram will not be covered by insurance. While each patient should check with his insurer before treatment, many of us have been covered by insurance and been charged a relatively low co-pay.

There was confusion earlier when people tried to bill this as an MS-related procecure. It should be coded as treatment for a vascular problem, and viewed that way, it is a standard procedure.

that's right, rosegirl. Central venous stenosis is a known disease and testing and treatment are covered. I believe Dr. Katzen was referring to CCSVI in MS---which doesn't have codes or medical validation at this point.
cheer

true, my insurance paid for my CCSVI treatment and I was treated abroad.

I think things might be easier with insurance if treated in proper hospitals and not in tourism clinics.

***Edit:
Bump, I found this today in one of Cece's post...not much promise with some insurers

Medicare has sent a letter to Dr. Mehta's group in Albany that clearly denies coverage for CCSVI testing and treatment. The letter is here:
http://www.thisisms.com/ftopicp-145010.html#145010