Why Does Medicare Become so Difficult?

1

You know, I’ve heard from many of you that insurance is a real pain in the butt. I know that’s a fact for myself too. What I found out today just boggles my mind!

I recently had the batteries on my scooter die. The absence of my scooter caused exreeme pain by having to use a walker. In the process of getting them replaced and getting permission first, I posed a question about getting a whole new scooter from Medicare because it is 4 yrs. old and my private insurance paid for my current one and I thought it would be a good idea to try Medicare.

I was told that I wouldn’t qualify for one from them because:

  1. I could walk in my house … even a little. Regardless of the numerous instances of me falling and needing the fire department to pick me up.

  2. I could use a walker … even though it hurts my back, knee, wrists, elbows and shoulders to even walk less than a half of a block. I get in excrutiating pain when I am on my feet for even 5 minutes. Walking? I fall down and go “boom!”

  3. Well, there are more reasons she gave me but I totally forgot!!

Did you ever hear anything so ridiculous? Do they want me to fall down and kill myself? Oh, probably! Then they could discontinue paying my medical bills!

Since I personally didn’t have to struggle with Medicare for my pump (DR and Medtronic did w/o me knowing it at first), I can hardly believe they would be so petty on mobility matters. It’s to everyone’s interest to get people out and about. Just the psychological effects on the patient.

I’d like to hear your Medicare/insurance horror stories.

Lois La Rose, Milwaukee, WI

2

I test my blood sugar between 10 and 12 times a day.Maybe 9 on a good day.The insurance company will only pay for 6 boxes of strips every 3 months.If my math is correct,I will use a 1 box of test strips every 10 days.So 6 boxes will only last me 2 months,that’s 60 days.It isn’t enough and they won’t increase it.The only way I could get what I need is that I could order my six boxes and I would have to pay for the rest and submit it as a paper claim.I suppose that would work,but it’s just annoying that I have to do this extra step.

3

Medicare will pay for more strips. I get 350 strips every 3 months. All you have to do is log your blood sugars so that they see you are testing as many times a day you say you are and it will be approved along with a script from your doctor saying that.