Medicare refuses to pay

To the Editor:

The time had come, and I don't know why but I had to retire. I didn't want to retire but they say it's time. I like to work and I like earning money, but what could I do. I guess I was too old, but I didn't feel too old but I accepted it.

It was fine for awhile. I had my health and I never had any illness except once I broke my ankle but I worked every day.

Then after awhile it started. First I broke my hip. I was in a home for awhile but I got over it and was home again. A few years passed and the worst thing that could ever happen to me I thought — I had cancer.

I suffered through the operation, I went through the radiation and again I landed in a rehab home. I even had hyperbaric treatment. It's like being in an iron casket some hours a day for a few weeks.

Through all of this, I was always very lucky. Medicare had always come through for me. Then it really happened, the worst thing that could possibly happen to anyone.

Due to the radiation I had another cancer in my larynx. I had one operation in Maine and was hospitalized for a few weeks. Then it was off to Boston, where I spent another few weeks going through the worst experience I have ever had. I could not speak and then it was off to rehab again and all the time I could not defend myself because I had no way to speak.

After a few more visits to Boston for checkups I was given another chance. A new system where an implant is inserted in your throat every few months and I could speak — not that whiny device that no one can understand a thing and that is the size of a dime. So for two years I was given a miracle of science.

And then it happened. Medicare refuses to pay for it. I cannot afford it. If you read their standards and you pass all these tests, then they will pay for it. I had surgery, I cannot speak.

What else do I do to prove I need this device? First you need a prescription for it but your doctor isn't allowed to buy it. Then you buy it and have to go to another doctor to have it put in plus a whole list of things to prove.

After two months of waiting and having to borrow the money to pay for it and even being in touch with a senator to help you get reimbursement they still want more and more proof and even after sending the bill of sale amount they still want more and more.

In the meantime, I am going to need another one soon and I haven't been reimbursed for the first one yet. Yet they pay for an electro larynx that is no good to me. And they will pay for supplies that I don't need.

How can they take away something that you need after paying for it for a couple of years? I don't know how long I will need this thing. Isn't there someone who can have a little compassion?

It would be very interesting to know who the senator or representative was who came up with this remarkable change in Medicare. I would like to thank them personally with taking my speech away and see how they survive.

C. M. Edwards

Casco