Medicaid not accepted for my laryngectomy supplies?

rdbaughman
rdbaughman Member Posts: 35
edited May 2012 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
HI all,
All going fairly well lately. I finally got the right size Voice Prosthesis installed & I can now talk pretty good. That's the good news. I just had an appointment to meet with my Speech Therapist & she fitted me with a HME ( Heat / Moisture Exchanger )She gave me 2 starter kits that include all needed supplies for the HME. I just got a catalogue & price list from ATOS MEDICAL that manufactures all of my laryngectomy supplies as in my Voice Prosthesis & HME + the accessories required. The problem I have run into is that ATOS MEDICAL does not accept MEDICADE, thay accept MEDICARE but not MEDICADE. I don't understande that. I have estimated the cost for my HME supplies & the monthly cost is right around $200 a month.
I'm on Disability & no way I can afford the cost of these supplies. Has anyone out there had this problem? I'm looking for some ideas if anyone has any advice I would truely appreciate it.
Wishing all a good recovery........ :)
Roger

Comments

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #2
    that's pretty cold of them
    and there can be several reasons for this to happen. They may just not have applied to be a medicaid provider in your state. Laryngectomy supplies cant be very common among medicaid recipients. If they arent an approved provider, they wont get reimbursed. They may be an approved provider, but have found compensation is so low they lose money providimgnthe service for medicaid recipients.

    arebyou on both medicare and medicaid? if so, can medicare be billed? Do you have a comtact person at ATOS? They may be in a position to advise you, or they may have a program you can apply to for free services. Does your oncologist have a social services person in his office? where I am treated Incould ask these questionsnand there is a worker who would findnthe answers and help me cut through thenred tape. Hope somethingnIve said is ofnhelp.

    Pat
  • rdbaughman
    rdbaughman Member Posts: 35
    #3
    longtermsurvivor said:

    that's pretty cold of them
    and there can be several reasons for this to happen. They may just not have applied to be a medicaid provider in your state. Laryngectomy supplies cant be very common among medicaid recipients. If they arent an approved provider, they wont get reimbursed. They may be an approved provider, but have found compensation is so low they lose money providimgnthe service for medicaid recipients.

    arebyou on both medicare and medicaid? if so, can medicare be billed? Do you have a comtact person at ATOS? They may be in a position to advise you, or they may have a program you can apply to for free services. Does your oncologist have a social services person in his office? where I am treated Incould ask these questionsnand there is a worker who would findnthe answers and help me cut through thenred tape. Hope somethingnIve said is ofnhelp.

    Pat

    Medicaid
    Hi Pat,
    I talked with a person at ATOS already, no help or programs available there. I meet with my Speech Therapist again next week & i'm gonna pick her brain for any options. I've been on the internet all day today searching medical Supply companies but have not yet found any good news. I'll keep looking. Thank's for your input..
    Roger
  • George_Baltimore
    George_Baltimore Member Posts: 303
    #4
    rdbaughman said:

    Medicaid
    Hi Pat,
    I talked with a person at ATOS already, no help or programs available there. I meet with my Speech Therapist again next week & i'm gonna pick her brain for any options. I've been on the internet all day today searching medical Supply companies but have not yet found any good news. I'll keep looking. Thank's for your input..
    Roger

    HME
    What does your HME look like, Roger? I have some that fit on the end of a disposable inner cannula for the trach.
  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #5
    George_Baltimore said:

    HME
    What does your HME look like, Roger? I have some that fit on the end of a disposable inner cannula for the trach.

    laryngectomy
    Roger, have you looked up web whispers, they will be able to give you a bunch of options.

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