This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

thornyrose76 wrote:What is the exact cost for everything? Get veins checked, angioplasty and stents?

happy_canuck wrote:I am going to Albany next week -- cost is $3000 venogram; $2000 balloon angioplasty; $2000 stent (if needed).

Cheers,

Sandra

Cece wrote:

thornyrose76 wrote:What is the exact cost for everything? Get veins checked, angioplasty and stents?

happy_canuck wrote:I am going to Albany next week -- cost is $3000 venogram; $2000 balloon angioplasty; $2000 stent (if needed).

Cheers,

Sandra

I have heard these number from others as well. Dr. Siskin does not do mrv or doppler ultrasound so no expenses there. Venogram is done and if ccsvi is found angioplasty is immediately performed, so $5000 unless stents are needed. Very reasonable IMO.

FlashHack wrote:Wow, this guy is working late. Dr. Siskin called again tonight at 7pm Pacific. So he is up calling us MSers at 10pm his time. impressive. He spent several minutes querying me about my MS diagnosis and symptoms. Next we discussed CCSVI and its diagnosis. Here are some points I found encouraging.

1. TESTING: Like Sclafani, Siskin believes that a catheter venogram is the gold standard for diagnosing CCSVI. For those of us traveling long distances to be treated (Canadians and west coasters), he doesn't believe we should be subjected to the vagaries of a preliminary MRV or doppler US.

2. EXPERIENCE: He (or his clinic?) has already performed 15 procedures. They have scheduled 60 more. Siskin estimated that my wait would be 2 months. He is very hopeful that that timeline will become shorter.

3. IRB APPROVED STUDY: As I think was said before, they are contemplating an IRB approved study, but that is a separate deal. They are treating people now and not waiting for a study.

4. INSURANCE: They have had success with billing insurance.

5. COST: For those having to pay out-of-pocket they will try to minimize costs by performing the procedure at their clinic rather than the hospital. At their clinic, the venogram runs approximately $3,000. Angioplasty adds another $2,000 (per?). Stents are $2,000 per. The hospital would be over $12,000 for the procedure, but there is less waiting using the hospital's facilities as opposed to the clinic.

Well, that is all I can remember. He was quite nice and patiently answered all my questions. I was very encouraged and almost feel like celebrating, but don't want to jinx anything.

Drury wrote:I am a little confused.

If catheter venogram is the gold standard why would one need to have an MRV and doppler? I mean if its OK not to have them if you are coming from a long way away what would the benefit of having an MRV or doppler be?

I am sorry if this has been asked before.

Drury

FlashHack wrote:This may have changed in the last two months (the information is that old). Since an MRV and Doppler are non-invasive, they have historically been preferred to discover venous abnormalities. That is, they were preferred before anyone knew anything about CCSVI. As IR docs get to know CCSVI and its connection to MS they are feeling more confident in going directly to a venogram. I think that is where Dr. Siskin is headed, but perhaps not two months ago.

I will be sure to ask him when I (God willing) see him this coming Monday.

Firas wrote:Hello,

The CCSVI procedure is not FDA approved and thus it can not be performed in the USA or Canada yet. All these doctors in the US are doing this procedures under the table, and once they get caught they shut down their operations. Majority of these doctors (or Hospitals) don't follow the guidelines and protocols set by Dr. Zamboni to save time and money, and patients end up getting the worst treatment for their MS. The patients thus get stuck with serious complications and they can not even contact the doctor if his/her clinic is shut down.
The Liberation treatment should be done under the guidelines set and applied carefully. Follow-ups are essential and thus doing it (where and when) is serious considerable option.
Even for patients who is traveling outside, make sure the hosting hospital is JCI approved (Gold-Standard Hospitals). As I researched some Medical tourism companies are doing such packages for liberation, but always stay on the safe side and ask questions.

Trish317 wrote:

Firas wrote:Hello,

The CCSVI procedure is not FDA approved and thus it can not be performed in the USA or Canada yet. All these doctors in the US are doing this procedures under the table, and once they get caught they shut down their operations. Majority of these doctors (or Hospitals) don't follow the guidelines and protocols set by Dr. Zamboni to save time and money, and patients end up getting the worst treatment for their MS. The patients thus get stuck with serious complications and they can not even contact the doctor if his/her clinic is shut down.
The Liberation treatment should be done under the guidelines set and applied carefully. Follow-ups are essential and thus doing it (where and when) is serious considerable option.
Even for patients who is traveling outside, make sure the hosting hospital is JCI approved (Gold-Standard Hospitals). As I researched some Medical tourism companies are doing such packages for liberation, but always stay on the safe side and ask questions.

I don't know where you are from but everything you said in your first paragraph is incorrect.

Vivianne766 wrote:

Trish317 wrote:

Firas wrote:Hello,

The CCSVI procedure is not FDA approved and thus it can not be performed in the USA or Canada yet. All these doctors in the US are doing this procedures under the table, and once they get caught they shut down their operations. Majority of these doctors (or Hospitals) don't follow the guidelines and protocols set by Dr. Zamboni to save time and money, and patients end up getting the worst treatment for their MS. The patients thus get stuck with serious complications and they can not even contact the doctor if his/her clinic is shut down.
The Liberation treatment should be done under the guidelines set and applied carefully. Follow-ups are essential and thus doing it (where and when) is serious considerable option.
Even for patients who is traveling outside, make sure the hosting hospital is JCI approved (Gold-Standard Hospitals). As I researched some Medical tourism companies are doing such packages for liberation, but always stay on the safe side and ask questions.

I don't know where you are from but everything you said in your first paragraph is incorrect.

I must agree w/ Trish.
... Oh and what does FDA got to do with CCSVI ?