Otto's getting close

[lola]

OK so we went to transplant clinic yesterday and they are thinking it's time for Otto to have a fistula placed. How much time off work will he need ? His Dr thinks Home Hemo will be the best for Otto, did any of you start training and just start with Home Hemo or did you have to do in center 1st. He wants to miss as little of work as possible. Also since he wants to keep working should he still file for ssi?

[KT0930]

Lola, I can only answer the question about SSI, since I've never had a fistula, but here goes. I never stopped working and never applied for SSI. When I applied for Medicare, they asked about if I was interested in SSI, but since I told them I planned to keep working, they said I wouldn't qualify and not to bother applying. Best of luck with everything. Sorry it's come this far, though. Take care.

[lola]

I guesse I thought if you applied for Medicare you also get ssi little I know. But he still can get Medicare if he works and has benefits? thanks

[jbeany]

A fistula or graft is done with outpatient surgery.  He's likely going to need at least the next day or two off from work, and his movement in the arm where it is placed is going to be restricted.  It also depends on what kind of job he has - if it's physically demanding, he'll need more time off.  My first surgery was quite painful, as the doc cut some nerves, but the second one I had went perfectly, and I was back to moving normally within a couple of days.

My center told me that NxStage prefers its patients to have at least a month in-center before starting home training, but I remember some of the other NXstagers on here saying they started with the home training immediately, so you'll have to ask your center what they do.

[cambonesegirl]

The two fistula surgeries I've had was done as an outpatient procedure. I remember feeling fine by the next day, but everyone is different.

[charee]

I had to have about 10 days off work when i had my fistula put in as i have a job that involves carrying heavy things, i started straight away with home training but i suppose thats not much help to you as its probably different here . Good Luck

[KT0930]

I guesse I thought if you applied for Medicare you also get ssi little I know. But he still can get Medicare if he works and has benefits? thanks

Yes, he will still qualify for Medicare based on his ESRD. There is a 30 month "coordination period" starting from the time he starts receiving Medicare benefits. During this time, Medicare is secondary, unless he receives a kidney transplant during the 30 months. If he receives a kidney during that time, then Medicare is still secondary until the 30 months are up if certain circumstances are met: 1) if his employer has more than 100 employees, then Medicare remains secondary; 2) if his other insurance is also provided by a government entity (for example, my ex-husband is in the military, so my insurance through him was a government program. Medicare was primary to that program.); 3) I'm sorry, I can't remember what the next condition is. If you call his the company his employer-provided insurance is through, they should be able to research this for you. Only one of the three conditions needs to be met in order for Medicare to be secondary. Hope this helps. I know, it's confusing as heck.