![]() ![]() I told her to please explain to her higher-up that a lower-end lift would not meet my needs. She said her higher-ups instructed her to begin the bidding process anew, this time for a cheaper, lower-end lift that my insurance might cover. And then, a few weeks after that, my DHS counselor informed me that we’d hit another snafu. It took a few more weeks for all that to play out. ![]() Otherwise, she said, they would probably kick it back to her and instruct her to submit it to my insurance first. But, she said, before she could do that she had to submit a claim to my insurance because, even though we both knew that the DME wasn’t covered by my insurance, she would need an official rejection from the insurance company stating that this type of DME wasn’t covered to submit to her higher-ups. I finally convinced her to submit the single bid to her higher-ups and explain to them that although only one dealer responded, I still needed the DME. She said she felt as if she was at an impasse. Only one dealer responded, and she had to have at least three bids to submit to her higher-ups so that they could select a winner. That meant that she had to invite several DME dealers to tell the state how much they would charge to supply me with the DME.Ī few weeks after that, my counselor informed me that the bidding process had run into a snafu. I already knew what kind of DME I wanted so all the therapists did was put together a multi-page report (complete with pictures) detailing why I needed this type of DME and recommending that DHS purchase it for me.Ī few weeks later I contacted my DHS counselor for an update, and she told me that she now had to put the referral out for bidding. A physical therapist and an occupational therapist came to my home and took a lot of pictures of my bedroom and bathroom. My counselor (fancy name for social worker) said I had to begin the process by getting an evaluation and referral from a therapist. So, I turned to the Illinois Department of Human Services for help. It’s a cold, harsh reminder of how far I am from where I thought I was. But I find it to be depressing and frustrating. It motivates them to achieve their aspirations. I figure all I’ll be able to afford to do is window shop. I tend not to even think about researching DME or other assistive technology that might make my life better for the same reason I never go shopping on the swanky Magnificent Mile here in Chicago. ![]() ![]() I just assumed that it was grossly overpriced, as DME tends to be, and thus far beyond my range of affordability. I suppose the process would have gone a lot faster if I had enough money to pay for my DME directly. About 18 months passed between the day I began the process of acquiring my new DME and the day I took possession of it. Now those same assistants can just slide me from toilet to tub and back, no lifting required.īut you also could say that 2022 was The Year of Jumping Through a Lot of Flaming Hoops in Order to Acquire Durable Medical Equipment for me. I also finally took delivery of a commode that can be slid across a detachable rail into my adjacent bathtub, where it becomes a shower chair. Molift Smart) so that now my assistants can transfer me by basically pushing a button. I finally took delivery of a lift (a.k.a. You could say that 2023 was The Year of Receiving New Durable Medical Equipment (DME) for me. Have you experienced something like this? Share in the comments! Editor’s Note: This blog shows the complex systems disabled people have to navigate just to receive the equipment they need to live. ![]()
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