From: Herbert Stein [mailto:fabrik@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Friday, August 21, 2015 10:29 AM
To: 'Julie Ottaviani'
Cc: President of the United States; Madam Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
Subject: RE: VNS Therapy for Depression - Implementation and Enforcement of the Law.
Dear Julie,
Thank you for taking the time to share your continuing good news with us.
Your words “I am doing very well health wise” resonate loudly and clearly for me. If only the same can be said for Secretary Burwell and her entire organization. It is the reason I continue to remain persistent in achieving our goal of rightful medical coverage for Joyce, you and others that continue to benefit from the VNS Therapy treatment option.
Mental health patients for centuries have been ridiculed, discriminated against challenged and to this very day are still not quite on par for health insurance coverage as those patients having other medical challenges. This issue is exemplified by medical coverage for the epilepsy patient and the need for the adjudicated decision of December 30, 2014 for the existing implanted depression patients and still to be told by the gatekeepers, if denied there is an available appeal process.
Joyce and I are reasonably well certainly not owing to the fact that the aging process sucks. We continue battling Joyce’s PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy). Despite this very difficult challenge her depressive illness remains non-existent for which we are thankful and definitively attribute that remarkable result to the VNS Therapy.
Once again, thank you for writing and importantly allowing me to publicly share another voice in our quest to see the “Implementation and Enforcement of the Law” on behalf of our fellow implanted patients.
As always, I wish you continued wellness and all the good you’d wish for yourself.
Sincerely,
Herb
Joyce and Herbert Stein
1008 Trailmore Lane
Weston, FL 33326-2816
(954) 349-8733
http://www.vnstherapy-herb.blogspot.com
http://www.vnstherapy.wordpress.com
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From: Julie Ottaviani [mailto:julieottaviani@aim.com]
Sent: Friday, August 21, 2015 6:59 AM
To: fabrik@bellsouth.net
Subject: Re: VNS Therapy for Depression - Implementation and Enforcement of the Law.
Dear Herb and Joyce,
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all that you are doing for our cause. I am doing very well health wise and hope the same is true for you both. Herb, your tireless efforts do not go unnoticed. I read each and every email you send and save them to a file. I hope Madam Secretary Burwell does the same and more. It is unfortunate that the pace of our leaders in Government Health as well as most areas is slow and slower. But we are strong and VNS has made us so. We stand with you in this fight and we will be persistent
Keep the Faith
Julie Ottaviani
You may use this email in any way you deem useful..
Julie Ottaviani
julieottaviani@aim.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Herbert Stein <fabrik@bellsouth.net>
To: Madam Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services <sylvia.burwell@hhs.gov>
Cc: President of the United States <president@whitehouse.gov>
Sent: Thu, Aug 20, 2015 5:51 pm
Subject: VNS Therapy for Depression - Implementation and Enforcement of the Law.
Dear Madam Secretary Burwell,
I’m terribly sorry to have to once again bore you with the fact that either you and/or your subordinates are not carrying out the duties, obligations and/or law with which you are entrusted.
December 30, 2014 an appeal was adjudicated rendering the NCD of May 4, 2007 not applicable to all the patients implanted prior to May 4, 2007. Depression patients with Vagus Nerve Stimulators, a medical device implant, are rightfully entitled, Doctrine of Continuity of Care, to medical care and replacement when necessary without having to be denied and/or responsible to appeal any denials.
The issue I now bring to your attention is the “implementation” and “enforcement” of the law and apparent lack of distribution of this law and acknowledgement by MAC, Regional agencies, State agencies, contractors etc. under your authority as evidenced by the communications I’ve received from various members of your staff and agencies that I have already shared with you and others.
The individual, with whom I chatted with today, a member of your agencies, confirmed “the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.”
I would finally and once and for all appreciate your getting your agencies on the same page. I would also appreciate a communication from your office that all agencies, contractors etc. on down the line acknowledge and will implement and enforce the law.
As always, I wish all those reading my missives good health and all the good you’d wish for yourselves.
Sincerely,
Herb
Joyce and Herbert Stein
1008 Trailmore Lane
Weston, FL 33326-2816
(954) 349-8733
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