Medicaid officially denied me for the back brace this morning because I am not in in-patient intensive therapy. Then I went for my bone density testing. That went ok except for the 80 degree waiting room.

Then, I spent the morning trying to find a doc that takes medicaid who can see me today to swab my throat and give me an antibiotic as DD's strep decided to creep in last night. DD starts having a reaction to her med, so we I sign us both in to be seen and of course THEY don't take her insurance.

I decided DD is more important so we took her back to the doc she saw yesterday and we are told the tummy troubles look like a reaction to the meds. But she is allergic to penicillin, so her options are limited. Alo looks like she may be having a UTI. If she is having a UTI we have to keep her on Zithro if not, we can switch to something else. But DD cannot seem to go in the cup to save her life. Doc Finally sent home a cup and told us to bring it back after she goes.

But wait, there is more.... Then we get home and the hospital calls to tell me they are cancelling my MRI AGAIN!! moved it from last week to today because they were waiting on ins aproval.... still not authorized, so we had to move it to the 12th. Now I am waiting on my neuro to call me back. I talked to her nurse and explained everything. Told her with the 5 new lesions 2 of them active on the thorasic that I am not willing to do another TY infusions until we see the rest of the spine and brain.

SOoooooo, now we wait some more. Once DD goes potty we can take her and her cup back to the doctor. and maybe tomorrow I can get in to see my doctor for the strep thing since her doc doesn't take medicaid.

OMG! I just want to drive to your house. Force you to go to bed. Allow you to get some rest. and then go punch your MD in the head.

I am so sorry you continue to struggle.

Legz - It sounds like you need an advocate. Some insurance co. have them as well as various social services. In addition, I would call the ortho back, despite him being an idiot, and tell him that "Grace" was not approved for the back brace and have them fight for the brace for you. Additionally, I would write a letter to the Medicaid program explaining what is going on and ask/tell them if they willing to cover you for the rest of your life due to any issues that arise from not having the brace since they denied it. Are they willing to pay for your surgeries, physical therapy, medical equipment, home care costs, etc. that may be needed as a result of their denial?

I did have to do something similar with DD18 when she had never ending strep and 3 dr recommend a tonsillectomy. The insurance denied it, I wrote 2 letters - one from me and one from me with signatures from the parents at her day care center as their kids were getting sick as well. We wanted full compensation on lost pay and medical bills. DD18 was approved and had her surgery within a week.

legzzalot, you don't need this nightmare.

I agree that asking the orthopod to go to bat for your back brace is a good option. One caution: Some doctors hesitate to write letters (they hate paperwork and feel they already have too much of it), and others are very willing but don't know how to write an effective letter.

With some luck your ortho will get right on it and write a good letter.

((((((legzzalot)))))))))