Hi all, I am reminded a of the difficulty and frustration that the new Medicare changes are making happen.

 

I understand that at this point Dynavox series V and Maestro devices are not going to be covered under the Medicare guidelines. While I understand that Tobii is a viable alternative for many, it does remind me again that the entire situation is to me untenable.

 

Our Dynavox rep has encouraged us to ask our clients to call 1 800 Medicare to register their complaints. I am wondering if anyone has already developed a script that may allow them to get to the right department as it were as well as cover some of the points that they might make? I am happy to take a crack at doing so but do not want to reinvent the wheel if someone has one they are willing to share.

 

While we are at it, I would be interested in hearing if anyone knows the right way to proceed through the phone trees that I am sure 1 800 Medicare will require…?  I understand you cannot begin to access it without a Medicare number.

 

I am thinking the script should cover:

 

·         Need for access to email and texting to manage communication with doctors, home health nurses, social workers and other medical professionals etc.

·         need for access to telephone options such as Skype as well as traditional land lines and cell phones.

·         need for computer access to allow for access to "electronic patient portals" that many organizations now allowed to access things like secure communication with your doctors, lab results etc.

·         need for access to a wide variety of devices; choices should not be limited by artificial restrictions.

·         Need to allow coverage for "off-the-shelf" devices; this is an economic benefit to Medicare in addition to a practical benefit to our clients; it makes no sense to pay more for a custom device…

 

 

I am more than open to feedback if anyone else has any; this is off the top of my head on a Monday morning? Or better yet, has anyone developed such a script?

 

Regards, Ed.

 

Ed Hitchcock OT/L

Technology Center

Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago