[CarolynS]

PAN Joins Class-Action Lawsuit Against Medicare

January 2011 Monthly Message

http://www.parkinsonsaction.org/news...ainst-medicare

[pegleg]

I am so glad to see this action. Here's the scoop:
(quoting from PAN's website at the link above)

One factor governing what therapies Medicare will and will not cover is the “Improvement Standard.” This is a rule set forth by Medicare that says they will not cover therapy or other skilled services if the patient’s condition does not show “improvement.” This goes for physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as home health care, skilled-nursing facility services, and other types of treatment.

I guess no one told the Medicare people that PD is "progressive." Basically, there's no turniing back the PD progression clock. (Yet! I believe we are very near finding answers!)

And isn't this just dumb language? The patient may improve their qulity of life temporarily, but unfortunately PD has no cure.

I almost took this action myself once. I had to have a brace for my right ankle because it kept turning in causing me to fall. Medicare paid for the brace, but for the orthopedic shoes, Medicare ooonly covered one shoe - the shoe to which the brace was attached. Totally asinine!

So hats ofof to PAN for standing up for our care! (Next question - if we win, how much $$$ do we get? lol - just kidding!)

Peggy

[Thelma]

Originally Posted by pegleg

I am so glad to see this action. Here's the scoop:
(quoting from PAN's website at the link above)

One factor governing what therapies Medicare will and will not cover is the “Improvement Standard.” This is a rule set forth by Medicare that says they will not cover therapy or other skilled services if the patient’s condition does not show “improvement.” This goes for physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as home health care, skilled-nursing facility services, and other types of treatment.

I guess no one told the Medicare people that PD is "progressive." Basically, there's no turniing back the PD progression clock. (Yet! I believe we are very near finding answers!)

And isn't this just dumb language? The patient may improve their qulity of life temporarily, but unfortunately PD has no cure.

I almost took this action myself once. I had to have a brace for my right ankle because it kept turning in causing me to fall. Medicare paid for the brace, but for the orthopedic shoes, Medicare ooonly covered one shoe - the shoe to which the brace was attached. Totally asinine!

So hats ofof to PAN for standing up for our care! (Next question - if we win, how much $$$ do we get? lol - just kidding!)

Peggy

No monies Peg but you won't have to go barefoot lol