[Emily C]

Hi, everyone!!!

I'm NOT having a good time here! My w/c clinic was a few weeks ago, and I've been fitted..FINALLY!!!! He said that he would send the papers via email to my OT. My OT called him and he answered the phone, annoyed, demanding to know who it was. Then he said he'd email it, and hasn't. I called him to ask him a question and no reply. BTW, my OT sessions are OVER as of MONDAY!!!!
MAYBE it's my type A personality, or maybe it's b/c I'd CARE, but I'D be ON this!!! He told me 3 months, is he expecting me to leave him ALONE until then?? I don't THINK so!!!! He has ny script, I can get another one, but is this what I'm to expect?! This is NOT a $400 w/c, more like over $4,000, you'd think he'd have more intrest....
How much longer b/4 I DUMP his and find someone who GETS it??? CAN I do that w/Medicare? Do u have to stick with the original clinic in Medicare? I just want my damn chair so I can get outside and AROUND my apt!!!

Sorry for the rant, it's just SO frustrating!!!!!
Looking forward to hearing what YOUR situations have been like waiting for your chairs...

THANKS...as usual!!!

This post has been edited by Emily C: 15 May 2008 - 02:28 AM

[Kwag_Myers]

My PT told me that it would take at least four weeks (I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield). That's after the fitting, and then my PT has to write a letter of necessity which has to be signed by my Dr.

[HiltonP]

The system is flawed.

You shouldn't need an OT.
You shouldn't need a clinic.
They're all adding to the cost, without adding corresponding value.

You should be free to choose your own chair, take your own measurements, and take the responsibility to complete the extensive ordering forms (which all the manufacturers provide anyway).

Of course not many folks want to take that "responsibility", and therein lies the root of the problem. It's easier to have someone else do that job, then we have someone else to blame when we're not happy!

I live in an environment where one is pretty much on one's own i.t.o. medical equipment. I've had five manual chairs, and three powerchairs. I've never been measured, tested, evaluated, whatever by anyone. I have paid for each chair out of my own pocket, every cent. It had never been easy, I come from a working class background, BUT, by doing so I have been in control of the situation, and I have never had to rely on others for my mobility.

[Texaswheelz]

Emily C, on May 14 2008, 09:27 PM, said:

Hi, everyone!!!

I'm NOT having a good time here! My w/c clinic was a few weeks ago, and I've been fitted..FINALLY!!!! He said that he would send the papers via email to my OT. My OT called him and he answered the phone, annoyed, demanding to know who it was. Then he said he'd email it, and hasn't. I called him to ask him a question and no reply. BTW, my OT sessions are OVER as of MONDAY!!!!
MAYBE it's my type A personality, or maybe it's b/c I'd CARE, but I'D be ON this!!! He told me 3 months, is he expecting me to leave him ALONE until then?? I don't THINK so!!!! He has ny script, I can get another one, but is this what I'm to expect?! This is NOT a $400 w/c, more like over $4,000, you'd think he'd have more intrest....
How much longer b/4 I DUMP his and find someone who GETS it??? CAN I do that w/Medicare? Do u have to stick with the original clinic in Medicare? I just want my damn chair so I can get outside and AROUND my apt!!!

Sorry for the rant, it's just SO frustrating!!!!!
Looking forward to hearing what YOUR situations have been like waiting for your chairs...

THANKS...as usual!!!

you have the choice of who you go to for your chair, that OT isn't selected for you by medicare, I've never seen a OT involved with getting some one a chair anyway, i have seen PT's, but not OT's. It can take 3 months or so for a chair to come in after it has been ordered and there really isn't anything any one else can do to make it come faster, but if it hasn't been ordered yet then yea i would contact a established DME in the area and go through them. They are the ones that are getting paid by medicare, not the OT.

[Emily C]

Texaswheelz, on May 15 2008, 11:08 AM, said:

Emily C, on May 14 2008, 09:27 PM, said:

Hi, everyone!!!

I'm NOT having a good time here! My w/c clinic was a few weeks ago, and I've been fitted..FINALLY!!!! He said that he would send the papers via email to my OT. My OT called him and he answered the phone, annoyed, demanding to know who it was. Then he said he'd email it, and hasn't. I called him to ask him a question and no reply. BTW, my OT sessions are OVER as of MONDAY!!!!
MAYBE it's my type A personality, or maybe it's b/c I'd CARE, but I'D be ON this!!! He told me 3 months, is he expecting me to leave him ALONE until then?? I don't THINK so!!!! He has ny script, I can get another one, but is this what I'm to expect?! This is NOT a $400 w/c, more like over $4,000, you'd think he'd have more intrest....
How much longer b/4 I DUMP his and find someone who GETS it??? CAN I do that w/Medicare? Do u have to stick with the original clinic in Medicare? I just want my damn chair so I can get outside and AROUND my apt!!!

Sorry for the rant, it's just SO frustrating!!!!!
Looking forward to hearing what YOUR situations have been like waiting for your chairs...

THANKS...as usual!!!

you have the choice of who you go to for your chair, that OT isn't selected for you by medicare, I've never seen a OT involved with getting some one a chair anyway, i have seen PT's, but not OT's. It can take 3 months or so for a chair to come in after it has been ordered and there really isn't anything any one else can do to make it come faster, but if it hasn't been ordered yet then yea i would contact a established DME in the area and go through them. They are the ones that are getting paid by medicare, not the OT.

Wow..interesting...MY PT TOLD me that my OT would get me the chair, that she had nothing to do w/the chair. Shesh....I understand the time frame, I just think it would be faster if HE'D email my OT the paperwork, u know?? Thanks...

HiltonP, on May 15 2008, 09:04 AM, said:

The system is flawed.

You shouldn't need an OT.
You shouldn't need a clinic.
They're all adding to the cost, without adding corresponding value.

You should be free to choose your own chair, take your own measurements, and take the responsibility to complete the extensive ordering forms (which all the manufacturers provide anyway).

Of course not many folks want to take that "responsibility", and therein lies the root of the problem. It's easier to have someone else do that job, then we have someone else to blame when we're not happy!

I live in an environment where one is pretty much on one's own i.t.o. medical equipment. I've had five manual chairs, and three powerchairs. I've never been measured, tested, evaluated, whatever by anyone. I have paid for each chair out of my own pocket, every cent. It had never been easy, I come from a working class background, BUT, by doing so I have been in control of the situation, and I have never had to rely on others for my mobility.

I completely understand ur frusturation/aggerviation. I AGREE about this flawed system that is our health care system...another post, right? Yes, I agree about paying for it if u can..I WILL be covering most of my chair, but I do need Medicare's help, so I guess I have to suffer.
I would say that even though ur chairs were expensive, it was WORTH it to not have to go through THIS!!! Thanks!!