| |
| |
|
Depression Information |
|
Insurance Reimbursement for Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
I attended the Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy Conference at the manufacturers' (Cyberonics) headquarters in Houston, TX in late July. The Conference presenters included senior management, psychiatric thought leaders and study investigators from the investigational clinical trial. In this article , I will limit the discussion to the question that I am asked most often; will insurance companies or Medicare cover vagus nerve stimulation for depression? Third Party Reimbursement I had received several e-mails from patients, who had the implant prior to final FDA approval and their insurance covered all or most of the procedure. These were isolated cases, but I think it is worth noting. The presenter for this portion of the Conference was Shawn Lunney, Vice President, Market Development and Engineering. Will third party payers reimburse VNS Therapy for depression? Shawn's answer was yes, but it will take some time and vary policy by policy. Three main issues:
In my book, Out of the Black: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression, I list all of the coverage codes as well as guidance (with help from The Patient Advocate Foundation) as to the reimbursement process. The reimbursement fundamentals for VNS Therapy related procedures are very solid. "Coverage in epilepsy is virtually universal; coding is clear, adequately describes the procedures performed and provides reasonable payment for services rendered by all providers"-Cyberonics Shawn made a very interesting statement: "Medicare is the great equalizer". Medicare fully covers VNS Therapy for epilepsy and reimburses approximately $24,500. The procedure is identical for epilepsy as it is for depression. I got the impression that publication of the study results in peer reviewed Journals is critical. The studies have already been accepted in prestigious journals such as Biological Psychiatry and Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Psychiatrists are just beginning to receive the VNS Depression Kit. The Kit will include an overview of vagus nerve stimulation and reimbursement support materials. I think that initially approval will be on a case-by-case basis and gradually expand to the overall policy level. If your psychiatrist prescribes VNS for your condition, you will be assigned a case manager. The case manager will help you with further patient education as well as referrals to surgeons trained in the implant procedure. Enter discount code FDAYES (all caps) and save 25% off the cover price of the book and get free shipping via U.S. Postal Priority Mail. The discount code applies only to orders placed on this site or through the 24 hour/7 days a week 1-888-VAGUS-88 toll-free number. You can purchase the book on this Web Site, at 1-888-VAGUS-88, or you can purchase the book directly from Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com. You will need a prescription from your psychiatrist for vagus nerve stimulation therapy. A surgeon will implant the pacemaker-like device in your upper left chest. There is much for you to learn about this treatment option. Do yourself a favor and try to start now. You have suffered long enough. I wanted the implant as soon as possible. And I was fortunate enough to get the implant four and a half years ago.
I will publish another article about the outstanding Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy Conference that I attended. There was just too much information to put in just one article. By now, I hope that you have tried to schedule an appointment with your psychiatrist. As I have written many times, if you do not get the correct diagnosis, you won't get right treatment. GP's simply do not have the depth of knowledge to treat patients with complicated or difficult mental illnesses. You can learn more about this remarkable treatment at http://www.VagusNerveStimulator.com There is a free electronic newsletter to keep you up-to-date. Charles Donovan was a patient in the FDA investigational trial of vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic or recurrent treatment-resistant depression. He was implanted with the vagus nerve stimulator in April of 2001. He chronicles his journey from the grips of depression thanks to vagus nerve stimulation therapy in his book: Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression The book was exhibited at the American Psychiatric Association's Annual Meeting in May. It is available on his web site and 24 hours a day/7 days a week through the toll free number 1-888-VAGUS-88. He is founder of the http://www.VagusNerveStimulator.com Web Site.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Insurance Reimbursement for Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression I attended the Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy Conference at the manufacturers' (Cyberonics) headquarters in Houston, TX in late July. The Conference presenters included senior management, psychiatric thought leaders and study investigators from the investigational clinical trial. Neuromodulation Is Now The Mainstream Therapy For Chronic Depression The cover of the March 7, 2005 issue of Business Week titled REWIRING THE HUMAN BODY, describes how neuromodulation brings new hope to the four million desperate patients in the United States who suffer from the debilitating disease of chronic or treatment-resistant depression.The neuromodulation industry is just in its infancy and could double over the next several years as doctors are thrilled by this vision of the body electric. The Formula for Preventing Depression While it is arguable that depression is not always preventable, there are many cases, when using the following ideas, will keep you in good spirits - most of the time. Unfortunately, we cannot be happy all of the time, but there is something we can do about it. What About Drugs for Anxiety and Depression? As a counselor, I am often asked, "Can drugs be helpful for anxiety and depression?" The answer I give is "Yes" and "No."Yes, drugs may be useful for short-term help. Stress and Depression are Killing Us! A short generation ago, families could set their watch by the time the father got home from work each day. My dad always walked through the front door at precisely 6 PM and supper was served at 6:10. Depression The 'experts' have tried to evaluate me as a sufferer of this but found no such evidence or behavior. The same was true for all other mental or medical conditions, so they think 'witch' covers my condition in life; because I refuse to participate in the materially managed environment any more. Anxiety and Depression - Why Depression Drugs May Not Be Necessary - Fight Depression Naturally Millions of people, especially in the United States, are currently suffering the symptoms of depression, and have even gone as far as taking prescription antidepressants that may have harmful side effects and dampen the quality of their life in other ways in the hopes it will just go away.The fact is, many prescription antidepressant drugs do have undesirable side effects that really can affect other areas of your life, but they are looked at by many as "the lesser of two evils". Senate Finance Committee Delays FDA Approval of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy for Depression On June 15th, 2004, FDA's Medical Devices Panel recommended that the U.S. Tips to Beat Depression We all have days when we are down, worn out and just not feeling all that happy.That's okay. Major Symposium About Vagus Nerve Stimulation & Depression at the American Psychiatric Association A major symposium about vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic or recurrent depression will be presented at the American Psychiatric Association's Annual Meeting in May. This is the largest gathering of psychiatrists in the world and over 25,000 psychiatrists will be in attendance. The Patients Guide to Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression INTRODUCTION Everybody has a story. My story is the one I know best and can write about. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Depression Are Not The Same Thing! Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a very misunderstood illness and this is perhaps why there are so many myths about it. Perhaps the most common myth about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is that it is effectively a mental condition, and another name for depression. Seven Steps to Good Mental Health Psychological well-being is something that we all have a right to. However, for a variety of reasons to do with upbringing, life experiences, physiology, environment and so on? we often find ourselves with a mind-state other than what we desire. Omega 3 EPA: Natures Very Own Anti-depressant Since Dr Malcolm Peet, a consultant psychiatrist at Sheffield swallow court hospital released his findings about the effects of Ethyl Epa and its effects on people suffering from depression and low moods, many other studies have been performed using Ethyl Epa to help treat depression and related disorders. The vast majority of the studies that have been performed consistently confirmed that Ethyl Epa, a natural substance found in omega 3 fish oil, helps relieve depression and low moods. Depression Series: Why Don't I Respond to Medications? (Part 1) Maria has been feeling depressed for at least two and a half years. About three years ago, her husband of 20 years left her for another woman. 5 Super Effective Tips To Kill Depression Being lonely is a normal part of our everyday lives. We get sad when we fail in our exams, when we're rejected by the person we love, or when someone very close to uspasses away. When Your Fears and Depression Have the Best of You What do you do when your fears and depression are stronger than what you can handle? There are times that no matter what you do, your fears have the best of you. Here is a list of techniques and suggestions on what to do when this happens. Depression: Escape Your Mental Prison There is an illness all around me in modern society that seems to be spreading like the Black Plague once did in Europe so long ago. It's called depression, have you heard of it? Has it affected you? The more I look, the more I see it in so many people in my life, including myself. FDA Deems Vagus Nerve Therapy Approvable as a Treatment for Depression On February 3, 2005 the U.S. Mental Health Stigma - What Can We Do About It? What is Stigma? Stigma is the use of stereotypes and labels when describing someone, and it is often attached to people who suffer from mental health issues. We don't fully understand how the brain works yet, but one thing we DO know is that it is an organ.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
