Questions on the warranty on the AMS implant

[medhatg]

Did you any of you went through claiming the implant warranty?
Any specific process or time limits? Does it work if I change surgeons? Would it work if the surgeon decides to go from LGX to CX?

Thank you

[Old Guy]

I have a Coloplast, but I believe their warranty is lifetime. Any mechanical failure is a free replacement. However paying for the surgery is another story.

[medhatg]

I have a Coloplast, but I believe their warranty is lifetime. Any mechanical failure is a free replacement. However paying for the surgery is another story.

Does the mechanical failure includes a burst cylinder?
I was talking to one of the surgeon's admins to get a cost. She talked to Boston Scientific and this is exactly what they told her:
- I need to pay for the new implant in advance.
- Once the implant is removed, AMS tests it to decide if it is covered under warranty or not.
- If AMS deems it failed under warranty, then they will reimburse me.

Really Boston Scientific? How would not fit under warranty? Seems fishy to me and I might then want to switch to Titan since I'm paying full price for device.

[Lost Sheep]

I have a Coloplast, but I believe their warranty is lifetime. Any mechanical failure is a free replacement. However paying for the surgery is another story.

Does the mechanical failure includes a burst cylinder?
I was talking to one of the surgeon's admins to get a cost. She talked to Boston Scientific and this is exactly what they told her:
- I need to pay for the new implant in advance.
- Once the implant is removed, AMS tests it to decide if it is covered under warranty or not.
- If AMS deems it failed under warranty, then they will reimburse me.

Really Boston Scientific? How would not fit under warranty? Seems fishy to me and I might then want to switch to Titan since I'm paying full price for device.

I wonder what are the criteria for a non-covered failure? Puncture with a foreign object (car crash damage or and attempt to inject into the penis the like)? What is their track record for denials?

I wonder if use of pliers on the pump bulb would count? Over-pressure over-inflation. Or use of a vacuum device on the implanted penis. The possibilities are endless and I would like to know what their history is.

I am not trying to defend AMS/BS. Just trying to figure out what they are thinking.

[medhatg]

I'm contacting them myself to understand. It is quite frustrating. I was told that the device is like 9K. This is to add to the high stress of being impotent in the crazy time where you cannot even see a doctor and you cannot even schedule a revision surgery.

[medhatg]

Just exchanged emails with Dr. Kramer and he confirmed the same:
- I pay full for the procedure, including device cost.
- The removed/failed device is sent to Boston Scientific to evaluate it for reason of failure.
- If Boston Scientific determines that it was covered under warranty, Boston Scientific would reimburse me directly for cost of device.

[Old Guy]

Wow that stinks. Shell out 20 grand + and maybe get reimbursed? Just for the device too?
Hope mine never fails!

[Gt1956]

There has been several members that have had revisions early in the implants life. I don't recall any of them mentioning that they got shafted on the costs. Maybe a different thread asking about members "out of pocket" costs on a revision is in order?

[RayChez]

I have the LGX and when the MS pump failed after ten months on a revision, I called the lady that speaks for AMS and she told me the three piece that I had was warranted for five years. So she said they could replace the pump only if the surgeons so decided that was the problem.

One of posts from a Coloplasts mentioned life time warranty. What life? Is he talking about the persons life or what is suppose to be the life of the system. Kind of confusing when they say life time warranty.

[medhatg]

Update:
Via email, I contact Jamie Matson, Patient Service Specialist at boston Scientific, Urology and Pelvic Health
That was his answer:

"Your device should be covered under our product replacement policy. All you will need to do is contact your implanting urologist to schedule a revision if that is what you desire. The hospital will take care of all of the details in terms of the warranty process."

Once the elective surgeries are opened up, I'll get him in touch with the surgeon's admin.
Waiting for a revision is killing me since I can't have sex and with the current ban on elective surgeries in the US and Canada.