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I am in the process of choosing a health insurance plan for next year. Are there any health insurance plans in the United States that cover all or part of the angioplasty procedure for CCSVI?

I would like to be treated if I could find insurance coverage for the procedure. I can choose a plan through ObamaCare from the following companies: Premera Blue Cross, Coordinated Care, LifeWise, and BridgeSpan.

I know that several years ago some people were able to get their angioplasty procedure covered by insurance. I'm guessing this is a long shot now, but I thought I'd ask.

Thanks,

Mary Ann

I think it can still be done. It depends on how the doctor labels the procedure and on what needs to be done. Central venous stenosis is treatable by angioplasty which is typically a covered procedure. Do you have a local IR who would be the one you'd see or would you have to travel? First priority would be to check if the doctor is even on the plan.

This came up in a search for Premera Blue Cross / CCSVI: http://www.thisisms.com/forum/chronic-c ... ml#p185669

Blue Cross was one of the early insurance companies to specify that they did not cover CCSVI treatment, so of the four on your list, they might be the most hostile to it, but that's a bit of a guess since I don't know anything about the other 3.

Hi Cece,

Thanks for your reply. My first choice would be to have the procedure done by Dr. Sclafani, although he's located about as far as you can get away from where I live and still be in the same country (I live on the West Coast of the USA). I really want to be treated by someone who uses IVUS, and I trust Dr. Sclafani.

Thanks for your suggestion that I ask the doctor what insurance they accept. I just called Dr. Sclafani's office and the front desk person said they no longer accept insurance, that the procedure costs $9,000 (whithout stents), and that payment is due at time of service.

I realize that's an incredibly good price! But its out of my price range, at least for now.

I'm not complaining though, I'm very grateful for what Dr. Sclafani has done and is doing for CCSVI research and treatment!

Mary Ann