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See attached PDF file regarding the current Cardiac Risk Assessment opportunity being offered by the Saint Paul Fire Foundation and Regions Heart Center.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Heart Attack Risk Assessment
Why should I participate in the assessment?
Physical and mental stressors are known to affect the heart. Firefighters have significantly more stress than the general population. This puts our heart health at greater risk. Several Saint Paul firefighters have found the heart assessment to be very helpful when making decisions about their health.
Will the assessment tell me if I will have a heart attack?
No test can do that. However, this assessment can give you a measure of your long-term, risk of having a heart attack. This information lets you take steps to potentially reduce your risk.
What does the assessment involve?
You will meet with a cardiology provider to complete a risk assessment. This consists of a medical history, review of lab results, EKG, and a Framingham risk assessment. (The Framingham Heart Study helped doctors identify major risk factors for diseases of the heart and circulation.) Based on results of the assessment, the provider may recommend further testing such as heart calcium score. This simple test measures the amount of calcium build up in your coronary arteries.
How do I get started?
Call the Regions Heart Center at 651-254-4887 and tell them that you are a Saint Paul firefighter who wants to participate in the “heart attack risk assessment.” The Heart Center will order lab tests and an EKG at your chosen HealthPartners Clinic or Regions Hospital. They will also schedule your appointment in the Heart Center. **You must schedule your appointment before October 16th, 2015** The program is limited to 30 firefighters this year.
The Regions Hospital Lab is available for walk-in appointments Monday-Friday between 10 AM and 5 PM. Your labs must be completed 3-7 days prior to your visit to the Heart Center.
If the provider recommends a heart calcium scan for you, the Regions Heart Center staff can schedule an appointment. The scan is done at Regions Hospital.
Who is eligible to participate?
Saint Paul firefighters, males 40 and over, and females 50 and over are eligible to have the assessment. These ages are based on the judgment of national heart experts about when the test has the greatest accuracy and usefulness to the patient. You can have a risk assessment once every 5 years.
What is the cost?
This is a cooperative effort of the Saint Paul Fire Foundation and Regions Hospital Heart Center. You will need to provide your insurance card.
If you have the deductible insurance plan and have already reached your deductible, HealthPartners will cover the entire cost. If you do not have the deductible plan, and/or have not reached the deductible, the Foundation will cover whatever costs are incurred. You will not have out-of-pocket payments for the labs, EKG, provider visit, or calcium score. If your provider recommends additional testing (besides calcium scoring), equipment, or follow up after your visit you will be responsible for payment for those services.
You may receive an Explanation of Benefits (EoB) in the mail, but this is NOT a bill.
All billing will be handled by Regions Hospital, which will bill the Foundation directly for the group of participants upon completion of the program. The Foundation will not handle billing and will not know who participated. This is to ensure the confidentiality of individual information about participants. If you have questions regarding billing, please call Jenny Gregor at 651-254-9458.
What is the likely follow up to the assessment?
The heart scan is designed to give you information that may help you understand your risks. After the assessment, you may choose to consult with your own doctor about your results. Your doctor may recommend a treatment plan for you.
Will the City or Fire Administration see the results of my assessment?
Your results are completely confidential, private information between you and your doctor in compliance with HIPAA. The City will not receive any information that could identify an individual.
How do I sign up?
Call the Regions Hospital Heart Center at 651-254-4887 to schedule your appointment prior to October 16th for the “Heart Attack Risk Assessment.” Be sure to identify yourself as a Saint Paul firefighter.
What if I have more questions?
Contact Jenny Gregor at the Regions Heart Center at 651-254-9458.
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