Baby Gunner’s Treatment

On January 9th Kristina and Chris had their world turn upside down. During a routine ultrasound they found Gunner’s heart rate dangerously low. They were sent to All Children’s in Sarasota where they were informed that due to Kristina’s Sjögren's syndrome, which is an autoimmune disorder, antibodies from the disorder were attacking his heart’s electrical system causing inflammation to the muscles in the heart and low heart rate. Gunner is diagnosed with complete heart block and is being monitored weekly for signs of heart failure. If he survives the pregnancy he will need a pacemaker as soon as he’s born. Part of the treatment Kristina has to go through besides immunosuppressants and steroids to try and keep her antibodies at bay are IVIG infusions done monthly that take twelve hours to complete. Of course there’s a hitch with the infusions, Kristina’s insurance will not cover the $30,000 per treatment. With the prospects of paying upwards of $90,000 for the infusions to help keep their son alive and all the other medical expenses that come with taking care of a newborn with a pacemaker.

UPDATE...
On 2/19/21 they got a call from one of Kristina’s doctors informing them that her insurance has overturned the appeal denial giving emergency approval for the IVIG infusions. Although they are in for an abundance of medical expenses in the near future with Gunner, they are not expected to pay the full amount of the infusions at this time and will be sharing cost with the insurance. They are not sure what their portion is needed to pay for the infusions but they are thankful for both MFM doctors and Gunner’s cardiologist for coming together to battle the denial from the insurance.