Is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) Covered By My Health Insurance?

 

90% effective in reducing symptoms caused by fibroids, Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) may be right for you – especially if want to avoid surgery.

Typically, our patients have an overnight stay in the hospital but are released the next morning. UFE is considered a 23-hour overnight outpatient procedure.

Most insurance companies cover UFE. It is considered a treatment for symptomatic fibroids and is not considered an experimental procedure.

Of course, before having any procedure, make sure you know what your financial responsibility will be. Check with your insurance provider to verify plans and benefit coverage. Depending on your plan, specific referrals or other preauthorization may be necessary.

Here are a few questions you should verify with your health insurance provider:

  • Is a referral (by a primary care physician) required for consultation with a radiologist?
  • Is your interventional radiologist considered in-network?
  • Is pre-certification required for UFE’s pre-procedural pelvic MRI?
  • Is pre-certification required for the UFE procedure?

Interventional Physicians of Indiana is here to help, and work with you, to submit your health insurance claim (primary and secondary) under the benefit coverage you specify. We participate with many medical groups to provide healthcare service to their HMO members and PPO healthcare plans.

We are in-network with a number of health insurance providers and accept Medicare and Medicaid. You can find a general list of the insurance providers we work with here. (http://www.indianafibroidcenter.com/insurance/)

You May Be Able To Treat Your Fibroids For Little-Out-Of-Pocket Cost

 

The leaves are turning. There’s a chill in the air. The end of the year is quickly approaching. In all the holiday frenzy make time to take care of yourself. Now is the time to make sure you’re getting the maximum benefit from your health insurance plan.

If you’ve been putting off a procedure – especially if you’ve met your annual deductible or you’re close to it or if you have funds remaining in your Flexible Spending Account – now is the time.

The fact that your procedure may be of little or no cost to you could be just the motivation you need to take care of those nagging aches and pains.

DEDUCTIBLES AND MAXIMUM OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES

Most health insurance policies calculate deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket expenses based on a calendar year. All copays, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses are reset on the first of January. Any medical expenses you acquire during that calendar year will be applied towards your deductible and must be paid out-of-pocket until your deductible is met. At this point, insurance begins to pay for services, which may be covered at 100 percent or may require you to pay coinsurance (a percentage of your claim expense).

If you have already met your annual deductible, and you’ve been wanting to treat your fibroids, now is the time. Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment performed by an Interventional Radiologist that shrinks the fibroids to provide relief. UFE is 90 percent effective in reducing symptoms caused by fibroids.

Coverage of procedures will vary by insurance company, but this is still a good time to take action.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS

Another factor to consider is your flexible-spending account (FSA). These pre-tax contributions can be used to pay for eligible medical expenses, but they expire at the end of your benefit period and must be forfeited.

Taking care of any necessary medical procedures before the end of the calendar year can help you apply your unused FSA funds before they expire. Medical facilities typically experience a heavy demand for procedures towards the end of the year as patients try to maximize their benefits, so the sooner you schedule your appointment, the better. Waiting until the last minute could cause you to miss the opportunity to see your doctor before the year ends.

Fibroids = Hysterectomy? Maybe Not. Learn Why.

 

When you suffer from uterine fibroids all you want is relief. Historically, hysterectomy was the only choice for fibroid treatment. However, in 1995 the FDA approved a new, non-invasive treatment option call uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). The procedure has been performed in about 30,000 women in the United States since then.

There is substantial evidence supporting the use of UFE as an alternative to hysterectomy and myomectomy for managing uterine fibroids. In addition, because UFE is a nonsurgical treatment, it might be a more acceptable choice if you otherwise would decline surgical management of your fibroids.

Here some things you should know about UFE:

– It is an extremely safe and minimally invasive method of treatment that does not require anesthesia.

– Intervention is highly effective in more than 98.5% of the cases

– There is an immediate improvement in symptoms.

– Fibroids do not return again (unlike myomectomy for which the probability of relapse is 30-40%).

– The recovery period is usually 1 day.

– There is an extremely low probability of any complications. According to comparative studies, the risk of any complications is 20 times lower than for any option of surgical treatment of fibroids.

– The uterus is not removed.

– The ability to bear children is retained.

–    After UFE, fibroids are reduced in size by 42% to 83%. Patients’ satisfaction with the procedure is high (>90%), and UFE is safe and has a low rate of major complications (1.25%).

For treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids, UFE is a safe and effective nonsurgical alternative to hysterectomy and myomectomy.

What should you ask if your doctor recommends a hysterectomy?

In these days of information overload on the Internet and other media, it is essential that you have an honest conversation with your doctor about this minimally invasive procedure as a treatment option. Following are some questions to get you started.

– Why are you recommending a hysterectomy? Are there any less invasive choices? Why not?

– Should I be considering medical therapy (hormone treatment) instead of surgery?

– Why are you recommending a hysterectomy? What if I don’t pursue the surgery at this time?

– Do you know about and do you refer any of your patients to have uterine artery embolization?

– Is it something I should consider? Why or why not?

– What will my recovery be like with a hysterectomy? With UFE?

– What about psychological/emotional effects of each option?

What to Expect with UFE

 

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is a non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment that shrinks fibroids and provides relief. Performed by an Interventional Radiologist, UFE is 90 percent effective in reducing symptoms caused by fibroids. Up to 75 percent of all women may have uterine fibroids, but many are unaware they have them because there are no symptoms. For many years, the standard treatment for most women with uterine fibroids was hysterectomy. By choosing hysterectomy, the patient agrees to have her uterus surgically removed, which permanently eliminates the risk of fibroids. For women who have childbirth plans, hysterectomy is obviously not recommended. But it is the only treatment option that guarantees the fibroids won’t regrow. That said, it’s best as a last resort when all other treatment options are unsuccessful. Though many patients have heard of UFE – it’s been available for more than 20 years – they may not be entirely sure what the process entails. Here’s what you can expect if you choose to undergo UFE:

  1. You arrive at the hospital or facility the morning of the out-patient procedure. You are put under local anesthetic and sedation.
  2. A tiny incision is made in your upper thigh and a catheter is inserted through it into the femoral artery. Your interventional radiologist locates the arteries that supply blood to each fibroid by using a tiny x-ray. Your physician then injects microscopic inert particles into the vessels to block blood supply. The fibroids will then start to shrink. The entire process takes between one and three hours.
  3. You’ll wake up feeling a bit sore and possibly having some strong cramping, which is normal. The cramping may last for a few days. One simple way to relieve pressure is to empty your bladder frequently. As for the incision, the pain is minimal and you’ll soon have difficulty even locating the scar on your leg.
  4. Total recovery time takes approximately seven to ten days. You’ll experience some tiredness and muscle stiffness, and that’s normal. If you notice anything unusual, such as fever or severe cramping, contact your doctor.
  5. You should see a reduction in your menstruation cycle, notably a shortened duration and less bleeding. For most women, this is the most noteworthy change. Women who have had cycles lasting as long as two weeks have seen them cut in half.
  6. Dyspareunia, or pain during intercourse, is a common symptom of uterine fibroids. Most women can resume intercourse after about two weeks without pain. You may experience slight cramping after, but that will dissipate over time.
  7. If your uterus was visibly enlarged, you should see a reduction in size within a couple of months. You should also experience less overall pressure and pain in your bladder and lower back. If you were experiencing frequent constipation, that should diminish, too.

Fibroid Embolization Leads to High Levels of Patient Satisfaction

The results of a recent study, published in Radiology magazine, showed that women who opted for Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) – also known as Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) – as treatment for fibroids over hysterectomy had had an equal quality of life.

The Dutch study of 177 women indicated both methods were successful in improving quality of life for women suffering from uterine fibroids. But with UFE, women have a shorter hospital stay and recover more quickly. The women who took part in the study were followed for more than two years following treatment. Their quality of life was assessed six different times during that two-year stretch. More than 90 percent of the patients in the study who opted for UFE were satisfied with the outcomes.

See more here:

Fibroid Embolization Leads to High Levels of Patient Satisfaction

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) & Alternative Treatments | Download

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is a procedure that involves specific, targeted blockage of blood flow to uterine fibroids. The procedure is minimally invasive, meaning it only requires a small incision in the skin.

The ideal patient for Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) meets four basic criteria:

  1. Have fibroids
  2. Fibroids are symptomatic
  3. No cancer
  4. Future pregnancies are not desired

Download our Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) and Alternative Treatments Guide.

Top 3 Fibroid Treatments | Get Your Life Back

Uterine fibroids, or leiomyomas, are noncancerous growths of the uterus. They grow in a woman’s uterine tissue, frequently during childbearing years. Uterine fibroids can appear quickly or steadily over time, and they can be various sizes. While many can’t even be seen by the human eye, some are large enough to increase the size of the uterus.

As many as 75 percent of all women may experience uterine fibroids.

How Do You Treat Fibroids? If you are suffering from uterine fibroids, there are three primary treatments.

  1. Hysterectomy – For many years, the standard treatment for most women with uterine fibroids had been hysterectomy. By opting for hysterectomy, the patient agrees to surgical removal of the uterus, thus also permanently eliminating the fibroids. Obviously, this isn’t recommended for women who have childbirth plans. But hysterectomy is the only treatment option that guarantees the fibroids won’t regrow. The long-term effects of hysterectomy are noteworthy, so it’s best left as a last resort.
  2. Myomectomy – Another common treatment option, myomectomy is also a surgical removal of fibroids. Unlike hysterectomy, myomectomy ensure the uterus remains in place, which enables women to still become pregnant. While it’s not guaranteed, myomectomy doesn’t completely prohibit pregnancy. 
  3. Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) – Surgical options can be extreme. Fortunately, another option has been available for the past 20 years. Uterine Fibroid Embolization is a non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment. Performed by an Interventional Radiologist, UFE shrinks the fibroids by blocking the arteries that supply blood to the fibroids, leading to relief of the pain. With the patient sedated and using local anesthetic, but still conscious, a small incision is made in the skin near the groin. The interventional radiologist than inserts a small tube into the femoral artery. Through the artery, the tube is guided to the uterus where the physician injects tiny particles that cut off the blood supply to the tumors. As a result the tumors shrink. The tube is removed and the cut is cleaned and bandaged. Because UFE doesn’t require the elaborate surgical procedures of other treatments, most women can resume daily activities within a few days. Uterine Fibroid Embolization is 90 percent effective in reducing the symptoms caused by fibroids. The Interventional Radiologists at Interventional Physicians of Indiana perform UFE at Community Hospital North and Community Hospital East.

Learn More About Interventional Physicians of Indiana

Back Pain, Fibroid Treatment, Varicose and Spider Vein Treatment that’s about you.

Dealing With Fibroids During Pregnancy

Fibroids, which are also known as leiomyomas, are non-cancerous tumors, or growths, that appear on the walls of the uterus. It’s unknown why they occur, but fibroids affect at least 20 percent of all women during their lifetime, with occurrence numbers as high as 80 percent.

Fibroids are made up of the same smooth muscle fibers found in the uterine wall (myometrium), but are denser than normal myometrium. They are usually round and have no predictable growth pattern. Some are small like a seed while others can grow as large as a small melon, causing considerable discomfort. Some fibroids can increase the size of the uterus to the point that it reaches the rib cage. Fibroids are growths, but are not indicative of an increased risk of cancer. Occasionally malignant growths on the muscles inside the womb, called leiomyosarcoma, can develop.

Fibroids typically appear before pregnancy, but most women aren’t aware they have them until they’re discovered during an exam or ultrasound. Symptoms of fibroids during pregnancy include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Pelvic pressure
  • Unusually heavy vaginal bleeding
  • Constipation
  • Frequent urination

If you suffer from any of these symptoms, it’s important you let your physician know as soon as possible.

The majority of women who have fibroids during pregnancy don’t have complications. But an estimated 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women with fibroids may struggle with symptoms. While fibroids are unlikely to affect the baby, the risk of miscarriage or early delivery is slightly higher with fibroids. If the fibroids are particularly large, they can alter how the baby is positioned for delivery or obstruct the birthing process, which increases the need to have a cesarean delivery.

The most common problems for women with fibroids are:

  • Breech baby – As noted, if the baby is not positioned correctly for vaginal delivery, complications could ensue.
  • Cesarean section – Women with fibroids are five times more likely to give birth through C-section.
  • Early delivery – Fibroids can hasten delivery.
  • Slow Labor – Women with fibroids may have a longer, more painful delivery period.
  • Placental abruption – This is when the placenta breaks away from the wall of the uterus before delivery. The risk of this happening is that the fetus may not get enough oxygen.

Because of an increase in hormones during pregnancy, fibroids can grow larger during that time. Alternatively, cases exist where fibroids have also shrunk. You doctor will best be able to guide you on the proper treatment. The most common treatment option is bed rest. If necessary, you may require some form of medication.

Another treatment option is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), which is a non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment performed by an Interventional Radiologist that shrinks the fibroids to provide relief. With UFE, a thin tube is inserted into the blood vessels that supply blood to the fibroid. Compounds are injected into the blood vessels, blocking the blood supply to the fibroid and causing it to shrink.

UFE is 90 percent effective in reducing symptoms caused by fibroids. The Interventional Radiologists of Interventional Physicians of Indiana perform this procedure at Community Hospitals North and East.

7 Common Symptoms of Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus. Also called leiomyomas, uterine fibroids grow in the tissue of the uterus, often during a woman’s childbearing years. They can appear rapidly or steadily over time. Fibroids appear in various sizes. Some are big enough to increase the size of the uterus while others can’t even be seen by the human eye.

While as much as 75 percent of all women have uterine fibroids, many are completely unaware because they have no symptoms. Below are 7 of the most common symptoms of uterine fibroids:

  1. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding – The most common symptom of uterine fibroids is prolonged and heavy bleeding during menstruation, which is caused by fibroid growth bordering the uterine cavity. Women may also notice menstrual periods that last longer than normal.
  2. Menstrual Pain – Heavy menstrual bleeding and clots can lead to severe cramping and pain during periods.
  3. Abdominal Pressure and Pain – Women suffering from large fibroids may experience pressure or pain in the abdomen or lower back. While it may feel like menstrual cramps, it may be a result of fibroids.
  4. Abdominal and Uterine Enlargement – As fibroids grow larger, women may feel them as hard lumps in the lower abdomen. Especially large fibroids can even give the abdomen the appearance of pregnancy, along with a feeling of heaviness and pressure. Large fibroids are defined by comparing the size of the uterus with fibroids to the size it would be at specific months during pregnancy.
  5. Pain During Intercourse – Also known as dyspareunia, some women may experience pain during sexual intercourse. The source of the discomfort may be fibroids.
  6. Urinary Problems – Large fibroids may press against the bladder and urinary tract, which can cause frequent urination or the urge to urinate. This symptom is particularly noticeable when a woman is lying down at night. When fibroids press on the ureters – the tubes going from the kidneys to the bladder – the flow of urine may be blocked or obstructed.
  7. Constipation – Pressure against the rectum from large fibroids can cause constipation.