Lymphedema, physical therapy and insurance issues

Hoolianama0508

Lymphedema, physical therapy and insurance issues

Hoolianama0508

Has anyone encountered problems with insurance paying for physical therapy for their lymphedma? I have Medicaid and am experiencing problems with them not paying for physical therapy. The closet hospital to me (Ocoee, FLorida) has an occupational therapist who specializes in lymphedema however Medicaid will not pay for occupational therapy once a person is over 18. I feel stuck since I will begin radiation in a few weeks and have been told that my lymphedma will get worse.

Are there any other programs that can assist me in financing physical therapy?

Binney4

Hi, Hooli,

That's a toughy! Medicaid is a real problem with this. You will probably need to appeal. Bob Weiss is a lymphedema advocate with the National Lymphedema Network and welcomes direct questions about appealing for care at his email address:

LymphActivist@aol.com

You DO matter; you ARE important, and you sure do need and deserve proper lymphedema care. Please contact Bob and ask him for help in appealing. He may also know other resources for getting treatment paid for. Do contact both your local American Cancer Society and Komen affiliate and ask if there are any programs in your area that will help pay for immediate therapy while you wait for the appeal to work its way through the process. 

In the meantime, there are things you can do while you wait that may help control the swelling. There's a section near the top of this page about what to do while you're waiting for treatment:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/How_You_Can_Cope_with_Lymphedema.htm

I'd add to that, try a long-sleeved sports shirt (like BodyArmour) or a leotard in a size smaller than you'd normally wear, turned inside out so the seams don't irritate your skin. It should be snug but still comfortable, not binding anywhere.

The "Lymphedema After Surgery" board a little further down on the main index here has lots of helpful gals on it, so please feel free to post any questions there.

Hugs, prayers,
Binney

Hoolianama0508

Thank you so much Binney for the information and your support. I will definitely contact Bob and see if he can help me navigate this issue better. I hope no one else is experiencing this.