Prothrombin Time INR Home Testing Devices Medical Clinical Policy Bulletins
Table of Content
Patients who have diabetes will be familiar with this type of machine – it follows the same process as testing blood sugar. The most important thing is to make sure that you get enough blood on the test strip,” says Dr. Collins. It allows patients to test their INR levels without the need for frequent visits to a lab. Once BioTel filed with BCBSCA after a week or so they were approved. Then my cardiologist & coagulation clinic needed to send more paperwork to BioTel and then I was approved and BioTel shipped the unit. Also I didn't have to pay for training since i've been testing at home for several years with a similar/nearly identical unit.
In the case of BioTel Heart they are in California so they needed to call BCBS of California who would then work with BCBS of texas. BCBSTX cannot apparently work with a provider directly that is not registered with the state of Tx. I'm honestly surprised that BioTel heart agents didn't appear to know this and they had to hear it from me. The machine is simple, has built in quality controls, no special maintenance required. In this busy world many patients lack time, are elderly or unable to travel to a lab to be tested.
Care Plans Guide
NATF is dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by blood clots and related diseases. Through our comprehensive resources and innovative programming, we strive to educate patients and healthcare providers about thrombosis and its complications. The goal of home PT monitoring is to help the individual maintain an INR in the desired therapeutic range. International Normalized Ratio is a system established by the World Health Organization and the International Committee on Thrombosis and Hemostasis for reporting the results of blood coagulation tests. The INR is the ratio of the individual's prothrombin time compared to the mean prothrombin time for a group of normal individuals.
Patients should work with their health care provider to develop a plan for achieving and maintaining a target INR; recognize when there is a problem; and know when to contact their health care provider. PT/INR is usually done to measure the time it takes for Blood to clot.Prothrombinis a protein secreted by the liver which helps the blood to clot appropriately. Therefore,Prothrombintime is monitored if you are taking a blood thinning medication such asWARFARINorCOUMADIN. Affiliated entities of Lincare offer a variety of additional services to help patients throughout treatment. By exiting our site and going to an affiliate site you are acknowledging these services/products are not provided by Lincare and will not be covered by insurance.
You are now leaving the Aetna website.
INR test meters and test strips are medical devices regulated by the U.S. The FDA wants to ensure patients and health care providers use these devices safely. Medicare’s prior policy only provided home test coverage for Medicare patients with mechanical heart valves who are on warfarin. The North American Thrombosis Forum is a 5013 nonprofit organization incorporated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
When it comes to your overall well-being, maintaining a healthy heart is essential. With Lincare's home INR testing, you have your PT/INR values at your fingertips. Patient self-testing with mdINR®reduces the risk of bleeding and clotting by giving you reliable, real-time results from the comfort of home. These tests save you from a visit to the physician's office or lab to check your PT/INR levels. All health care providers, patients and caregivers, are strongly encouraged to voluntarily report INR test meter problems directly to the FDA through MedWatch, the FDA’s voluntary reporting program. Problems should be reported whenever one suspects there is an issue with an INR test meter such as a malfunction or incorrect result, or that the meter caused or contributed to a serious injury or death.
WHY A HOME PT/INR MACHINE?
A couple of years ago the fda released coaguchek xs for patient home use. If they have someone who can perform the test or are cognitively intact and reliable to do the test themselves and report to md for dosing instructions, they qualify. Medicare pays for it with a doctor rx and so do other insurance companies. This only applies to people on long term coumadin/warfarin therapy such as for heart valve, etc. . How often an INR test meter is used to monitor warfarin, and the results a patient should expect, will be based on recommendations from the patient’s health care provider. It is typically between 2.0 and 3.0 for basic blood-thinning needs, though the range may vary based on a patient’s specific conditions.
An INR above the patient-specific target range may increase the risk of bleeding, while an INR below the target range may increase the risk of developing a blood clot. Patients use PT/INR blood testing to determine how well their anticoagulant medicine is working to prevent blood clots. PT measures the speed of blood coagulation, while INR provides a way to standardize such measurement. Tests can be performed at home, as long as the patient works with his or her health care provider as part of an anticoagulation management program. An INR is a standardized number that is calculated based on PT test results and is used to monitor patients being treated with blood-thinning medication.
Devices We Provide Include:
Warfarin must be monitored to ensure it is working effectively and being used safely. Achieving the correct warfarin dosage can be difficult but is extremely important. If the dose of warfarin is too low, the patient is at risk of developing harmful blood clots. If the dose of warfarin is too high, the patient may be at risk of serious bleeding. INR test meters may be prescribed to patients for use in the home, and they may also be used by health care providers at the point of care, such as a health care setting.
The companies that provide the machines/training will remind you to submit your report if they don’t hear from you within a couple of weeks. Self-testing patients typically check their levels more often than patients who go to the lab, so they’re more likely to have their warfarin dosage adjusted as needed to stay in the correct INR range. Dr. Collins also noted that this increase in time within therapeutic range may also be influenced by the types of patients who seek out in-home testing. “These patients are often highly motivated and invested in their healthcare, which leads to strict adherence to their treatment plans,” he explains.
The company basically lets us use the machines for "free" but we have to buy the test strips through them...which are like $6 a strip. Insurance coverage for home testing varies from plan to plan. Many insurers cover the cost of home testing, but some patients may have a copay or some out-of-pocket expense. In-home testing only requires a finger stick, instead of a full blood sample. My former provider also tried this method but was still denied and they will not work with patients who are out-of-network. These out-of-state companies need to file with the BCBS in the state where they are registered.
Hospitals, nursing homes, coagulation clinics, and outpatient facilities should follow the reporting procedures established by their facilities. INR test meter users should also report these problems to the manufacturer using the phone number listed on your meter’s instructions. Alternatives to home PT monitoring include visits to a laboratory facility or health care provider’s office for drawing and testing of a venous blood sample. Physician consultation is advised to make an informed decision based on an individual’s health needs.
Aetna Inc. and its subsidiary companies are not responsible or liable for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of linked sites, or for products or services described on these sites. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. BioTel Heart is the _only one_ that came through as approved of the handful I tried. I had to call them and my doctors office and BCBS every week to follow-up.
After testing your blood, you’ll have to report the results to the company you’re working with. Most patients use an app or a website to send in their reports. Once the company gets the result, they’ll send it to your provider. The company will also manage billing and the insurance-related parts of the process. When your provider receives your results, they can make dosage adjustments as needed. “Once you’re determined to be a good candidate for self-testing, your provider or pharmacy team will go through a company that handles training and INR test results,” explained Dr. Collins.
A patient’s warfarin dose depends on many factors, including the patient’s age, overall health and genetic makeup. The dose may also need to be adjusted based on a patient’s diet and current medications. NATF provides the information and materials on this site for general information purposes only. You should not rely on the information provided as a substitute for professional medical advice, care, or treatment.
Comments
Post a Comment