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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> insurance won't approve O2
        
(Message started by: wysper on Sep 20^th, 2006, 3:58pm)

Title: insurance won't approve O2
Post by wysper on Sep 20^th, 2006, 3:58pm

I have medicade (Health Ease of Flordia) and i have just found out that my insurance won't cover my oxygen. It's an understatement to say that I'm upset but I'm going to try my best to explore my options. Any suggestions?

Title: Re: insurance won't approve O2
Post by eyepopper on Sep 20^th, 2006, 4:15pm

Wysper,

I just went through this very thing last week. It's such an aggravation to go through all the pain of clusters, and then have some bureaucrat tell you that you can't try something that might help. I wish them just one prolonged cluster attack!

Anyway, scroll down through the threads just a little, and look for "O2 and insurance." I started that last week, and there's a lot of helpful information there. I took the advice of calling my doctor, and having him write a specific letter as to why I MUST HAVE O2. It worked. My oxy's being delivered tomorrow.

If that doesn't work, I believe Jonny posted some info about getting welding oxygen. It's apparently the same quality as medical oxygen, and it's cheaper.

If you go to that thread, you'll be able to get more detailed info. Plus, I'm sure that the family of clusterheads here will come through and respond with more info.

Don't give up. I'm just starting to learn that you can't take sh*t from the paper pushers. This condition's too painful to take a no from the likes of them.

Best wishes for you.

Debby

Title: Re: insurance won't approve O2
Post by Sandy_C on Sep 20^th, 2006, 5:16pm

Same situation here.

Go to www.clustermasx.com and get the best mask for clusterheads there is. It's not expensive.

Contact Mr. Happy, on these boards, and order his regulator that will go up to at least 15 lmp which is needed for CH - not expensive.

Then, go to your local welder's supply house, DO NOT TELL THEM YOU INTEND TO INHALE THE OXYGEN (by law, they cannot give it to you), tell them you are going to weld stuff. Either rent or buy, depending on cost - again, it's not expensive.

My mask and regulator are sitting there waiting for my next cycle. All I've got to do is go pick up the tank.

Talk to Jonny. He's our "go to guy" when it comes to information.

Sandy

Title: Re: insurance won't approve O2
Post by brewcrew on Sep 20^th, 2006, 5:30pm

Everything above is sound advice. If all that fails, see if you can negotiate a cash price with the oxygen supply place. Some outfits will sell it to you for the same amount as an average co-pay (like $10 for an "E" tank).