Originally Posted by MelodyL

HI.

Yes, I'm aware of the information that was stated in these two links. As a matter of fact, I'm going through it myself because I'm a diabetic and I also have neuropathy (although I was extremely lucky and got a handle on it because I take Methylcobalimin every single morning.

In MY case, I am entitled to orthopedic shoes,(I'm not in Alan's category, so I don't need custom molded anything), but diabetic shoes (let's just call them fancy sneakers with big toe boxes), well they are costly. But the HMO will only contribute $88 towards my shoes and my shoes cost much more than $88.00. Other HMO's pay as little as $40 towards the cost of the shoes.

That's why many shoe companies refuse to take the $88.00 and the $40.00 (unless the patient provides the rest of the money).

I'm on Social Security Disability and I grow my own food in my kitchen. If they think I can come up with a co-pay of $100 or more, they are kidding themselves. I mean, what's the use of having insurance if they don't cover SHOES for goodness sake.

Thank god, I don't need custom orthotics like Alan does. I DID need them over 5 years ago because I had a double heel spur (but surprisingly, I have had no problem with this condition for YEARS)

Okay, I just found out who takes care of all these things.

THE CMS
Centers for Medicare Services.

Here's the website

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/

Now THERE'S A LOT OF INFO AND LINKS AND THINGS TO CLICK ON, and there is even a contact link, but after doing that, I have no idea what to do next. I want to contact the people who make the policy, who make the guidelines, and request that they CHANGE the status on not allowing non-diabetics to get shoes and orthotics.

So any of you creative people out there, click on this website, scroll around and if you find a place that I send an email or call (about changing policy), kindly let me know.

I couldn't find it.

Thanks, Melody

Originally Posted by MelodyL

I agree, so it has to be UP TO US to do DO THE WRITING AND EMAILING.

Anyone know who writes the medicare guidelines and who I can write to?

Thanks much

Melody

Originally Posted by JoanB

Hey Mel, this might be a longshot, but have you considered contacting your congressman/woman's office? I've heard of people getting help that way when it's a problem that involves the government. Just a thought.

Originally Posted by Kitt

Originally Posted by antonina

Melody,

Have you looked into this medicare advocacy org?
http://www.medicarerights.org/

May be worth a shot.

Originally Posted by echoes long ago

its not that the congressman would have an effect directly on the insurance company but that the congressman could have an effect on medicare rules which the insurance company hides behind.

Originally Posted by JoanB

Yes, that's exactly what I meant...but since insurance has an astonishinng amout of influence on congresspeople and since it's a quid pro quo kind of relationship, I'd think it's not that rare that a congressperson might sometimes give them a poke to change some behavior too.

I took my Ambien about an hour ago--so I hope that made sense.

Originally Posted by echoes long ago

I think of the relationship between insurance companies and congresspeople as more of a puppeteer- puppet relationship.