Why is geting your insurance company to pay for anything, even necessary medical equipment that has been prescribed by your doctor, always such a hassle.?
Almost a year ago, I found an exercise bike that would be perfect for me and do me a world of good. As we get older, we all lose some strength and flexibility. I am no different and because of this, I can no longer transfer onto a conventional recumbent exercise bike. I'm sure many of you are in the same position.
In my search for an adequate exercise bike that I can use from my wheelchair, I found the Saratoga 690 Selectable Arm, Leg or Arm-and-Leg bike. I sent away for a brochure, gathered all the information I could and headed off to my doctor. The letter I had received with the brochure said that most private insurances will pay for most, or all, of the bike if a doctor can justify why it is medically necessary. I got the letter from my doctor stating just a few of the medical reasons the bike would be very helpful to me, circled the descriptions of the equipment I needed in the brochure, stuffed it all in an envelope and sent it off to the insurance company..
Months went by and I heard nothing, so I called them. They said that my letter had gone to the wrong department, that they would forward it to the right one and I should call back in a week. I did and they told me their medical “experts,” who have never met me, disagreed with my doctor and said it was unnecessary equipment. They did tell me I could file an appeal within 30 days. So I spent a week writing a letter that detailed my family history of diabetes and heart disease and how the exercise this bike would provide could help me avoid those diseases and save them money in the long run.
It’s been seven weeks since I got their letter saying they were reviewing my appeal. Still haven’t heard anything. I’ll give them one more week before I start calling again. If they deny it a second time, I won’t be able to get the bike I need. It totals, with shipping, more than $2500 and I just can’t afford that without their help.
Have any of you had similar experiences or troubles getting the equipment you need? Visit the forum and tell us about it.
