Dear Fellow Members, Just reading your posts makes my nerves feel better. My question to all is this. I am 55 diagnosed last year with moderate aortic stenosis w/ arrythmias. Last jan I was told that surgery was probably 3-5 years out but after my echo and stress ekg in July I have been moved up to NOW. That was a major shock but the worst of it is how do you pay for the surgery???? I have been quoted an average cost of AVR is approx $$75,000. If you have a good insurance plan you probably say so what??? I may or may not have insurance. My wife just started a job w/ health insurance benefits that kick in for her and I AFTER 30 days. Will this plan EXCLUDE ME BECAUSE OF PRE-EXISTING CONDITION???? If anybody out there is well versed in HMOs PLEASE GET BACK TO ME ASAP. The info they gave the wife at orientation tells you squat about specifics so I visualize myself waiting for the 30 days to pass and then find out I still have no way to pay so I just roll over and die!!! The plan she has is called Empire Blue Cross/ Blue Choice and we are in NYS.THANKS FOR LISTENING. DAVE