Post by acrobatinmydreams on Sept 10, 2015 10:09:50 GMT -8
If you live in the US and utilize Medicare for your equipment, a new policy will go into effect in January that will effect your ability to get the equipment you may need.
I urge you to contact your congressman and encourage them to join in by signing legislation to keep this from happening. I have met with my congressman's office last week.
This is very important if you require specialized equipment to live and enjoy life. There is also proposed legislation that will effect amputees ability to get prosthetics.
The same type rules went into effect in January for the Ankle Foot Orthosis that I wear and it added three months to the process to get them. I have always gotten my braces within three weeks of when they have broken but this time it took 3 months both times I tried to get them. My first ones were not the right kind of braces so I had to go through the whole process a second time. So I ended up walking on broken braces for six months causing three pressure sores, hip pain (requiring injections that didn't work), and multiple falls. My cost to Medicare during that six months of preventable issues is in excess of $10,000 to care for/heal the pressure sores, the injections, and x-rays for the falls. I was so miserable but have no back up braces nor a wheelchair. (However I pick up a newly ordered and approved by Medicare wheelchair in October)
These are policies put in place by Medicare to stop Medicare fraud and audits by these Medicare Recovery Audit contractors to find fraud are ongoing. So every aspect of our care will at some point come under these more stringent rules.
For more information: www.access2crt.org/
The Competitive bidding process is harmful to us as a disabled population.
Your voice can be heard by contacting your representatives.
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