I finally got a name and place. I am being referred to Dr. Vaughn Starnes at USC. I haven't had my consult yet but to my understanding I will be in the hospital ...Read more
I finally got a name and place. I am being referred to Dr. Vaughn Starnes at USC. I haven't had my consult yet but to my understanding I will be in the hospital about 1 week and then will need to stay around the area for 2 weeks after I'm discharged. Has anyone traveled to USC before and can you make recommendations on places to stay, areas to avoid...? My mom will be traveling with me so she will be staying in a hotel while I'm in the hospital then we were thinking about booking an Airbnb to stay in the area. Thoughts? Suggestions? Any recommendations for things I need to pack/travel with...?
Amy, you could have not chosen any better. Dr. Starnes did my surgery and I am forever grateful for h ... Read more
Amy, you could have not chosen any better. Dr. Starnes did my surgery and I am forever grateful for him and his team and the care I had in the hospital. God has blessed Dr. Starnes’ hands to perform miracles with the hearts. You are in great hands. In the hospital they provide you with with all toiletries and you will be wearing the hospital gowns. The packing you will need would be for the two weeks stay at a hotel or Airbnb. We lived two hours away so we traveled back for post op appointment. Will keep you in prayer for a successful surgery and speedy recovery. God bless you
Amy McDonald Thank you for responding! What is the area around USC like? I'm searching for a hotel for my mom to s ... Read more
Amy McDonald Thank you for responding! What is the area around USC like? I'm searching for a hotel for my mom to stay at that is in a safe and convenient area. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks again for good thoughts! I appreciate it!
The area is ok, but we stay in downtown Los Ángeles at the JW Marriott. Not too familiar with other ... Read more
The area is ok, but we stay in downtown Los Ángeles at the JW Marriott. Not too familiar with other hotels. Even though we are from Los Ángeles it’s been a long time since we have been there. I wish I could be of more help.
there.
Amy McDonald We ended up going the Airbnb route. I figured that would be more comfortable than a hotel for such a ... Read more
Amy McDonald We ended up going the Airbnb route. I figured that would be more comfortable than a hotel for such a long stay.
Will be praying for your surgery to be successful and you will have a speedy recovery. Let us know ho ... Read more
Will be praying for your surgery to be successful and you will have a speedy recovery. Let us know how it went. God bless you Amy
Hey there, I'm Amy, 35y and have a congenital heart valve issue (Aortic Regurgitation). I had open heart surgery when I was 7 to remove some tissue blocking ...Read more
Hey there, I'm Amy, 35y and have a congenital heart valve issue (Aortic Regurgitation). I had open heart surgery when I was 7 to remove some tissue blocking the valve and up until now haven't had any issues. Last year was told by my cardiologist I might be looking at having the valve replaced and when I saw him in July he said it was time. He referred me to a surgeon but after the surgeon reviewed my CT scan, he was not comfortable performing the surgery. He has referred me to UCLA. I live in Idaho and had been planning on having the surgery in Boise (only 2 hours from where I live) Now I'm looking at an out of state surgery. I'm overwhelmed. Any words of advice regarding insurance, travel, anything is helpful. This is all new to me. It took about 6 weeks for my insurance to approve my CT scan so I'm concerned about the length of them approving an out of state procedure. The referral was sent in about 10 days ago and I still haven't heard from UCLA, suggestions on getting the ball moving? Or are these time lines normal. I don't even have a name of a surgeon to check and see if they are an "in-network" provider. I feel at times like I'm going crazy cause its always on my mind but yet I can't plan anything. Again, any advice is going to be helpful...i just feel lost.
Rose Madura Hi Amy. My recommendation would be to get a 2nd or even 3rd opinion. I would also discuss this with ... Read more
Rose Madura Hi Amy. My recommendation would be to get a 2nd or even 3rd opinion. I would also discuss this with your cardiologist for options.
Nancy Chavez Welcome Amy!Glad you are here and you will get lots of info and advice here. I am a lot older than yo ... Read more
Nancy Chavez Welcome Amy!Glad you are here and you will get lots of info and advice here. I am a lot older than you but found out I had a congenital valve issue and needed a new valve in April. I had insurance problems and had a hard time getting to a cardiologist. I asked my insurance to assign me to a nurse case manager ( I have Blue Cross). She was able to help me with insurance issues and would call and check on my progress. Maybe your insurance has something similar? I then got a note book and started writing down who I talked to and what was said. It helped me keep everything together and I could reference it as needed. There are surgeon names and resources on this website. Lots of people on this website have traveled out of state to have their surgeries. You do want someone who is experienced in what your particular need is.
Lots of hospitals have heart valve clinic with a coordinator. You can contact them and check on the status of your referral. They should be able to help you coordinate treatment.
One day at a time, breathe and take good care of yourself. This time of waiting and the unknown is the hardest.
Amy McDonald Thank you for the responses. I am going to look into a case manager (I have blue cross as well) and a ... Read more
Amy McDonald Thank you for the responses. I am going to look into a case manager (I have blue cross as well) and as soon as I know for sure what hospital will also check into a coordinator. The wait and unknown is so hard! I feel like a pest when I call the referring surgeon but I dont want to slip through the cracks either. I also feel like I'm running out of time to get it done this year with Oct right around the corner.
Barbara Wood Hi Amy, I also had to navigate an hmo & deal with in network. My understanding is that if your Dr fee ... Read more
Barbara Wood Hi Amy, I also had to navigate an hmo & deal with in network. My understanding is that if your Dr feels that you need to go out of network to receive proper care, they usually approve it - the Dr makes the request. You can quickly call your insurance co & ask if the hospital you're interested in is in their network. Best of luck:)!
Kathy Santoro Hi Amy, Definitely a lot to deal with. A few things that may help to be aware of and ask. Not only g ... Read more
Kathy Santoro Hi Amy, Definitely a lot to deal with. A few things that may help to be aware of and ask. Not only get a name but even more important get an Encounter Number. Its quickest way for someone to look up later. When I was advised to go Out of Network to see a surgeon in another state my insurance agreed but hospital etc while they accepted my insurance I was balanced billed. I might have been able to negotiate with hospital and providers if I had understood this from start. You can always ask to be transferred to a supervisor which helped me a lot. It seems time is of the essence so ask for an accelerated decision too it may be possible. Hope you find your answers quickly. Best wishes.
there.