CMT, Insurance, AFOs and the MDA

[Guest guest]

Ken:

I get my AFOs with no out of pocket cost. The orthotist that I use

here in Arkansas first files my claim with my insurance co, then

whatever they don't pay gets sent to MDA and they pay the rest. Of

course, I had to go to MDA for a diagnosis before they would start

recognizing my claims, but because I had already been diagnosed thru

a private physician they didn't put me thru any additional tests.

They just had me walk up and down the hall, try to stand on my tip

toes (unsuccessfully!), looked at my feet and ankles and asked me a

few questions about my ability to care for myself.

Since then, and this has been about 10 years ago, I go to see them annually and

usually that is just to talk with them about any problems I am experiencing and

anything else I might want to mention to them.

They have been really good about picking up the costs with no

questions asked - even when I have had an AFO that turned out to not

work so well for me. I knew within a few weeks that I wouldn't be

able to tolerate the rigid AFO - it was causing those darned

pressure sores!! That time I think MDA paid for all of the costs to

get a different type.

My insurance says that they will not honor more than 1 claim per every three

years. Of course if they crack or otherwise break the manufacturer will usually

replace them free of charge as long as you haven't altered them in any way. I

just thought some of this info might be of help to you since you are restricted

with Kaiser.

On another note, I really want to encourage you to look into an AFO

for walking purposes. I have gone from being afraid to step outside

my front door without holding onto something or someone to walking 2

miles a day and going everywhere I want with the confidence that I

won't fall and the energy to get where I'm going. There was a time

when I felt trapped within my own body - a prisoner of such that I

didn't have much to look forward to each morning. Now, I feel as

though I have a whole new lease on life.

The other day I had to get up and walk across the room in front of about 100

people to accept an award. Before my AFO, I would have been scared to death to

do this and it would have taken the joy out of the moment. Now, I can smile and

walk with ease and enjoy every aspect of my new life. So, I really hope you

check this avenue out.

You might want to just do a google search to look at the many sites that show

their AFOs since there are so many. Of course, your Dr. will have to recommend

the best one for you based on your severity and stance. I have been thru

several down thru the years and usually I have tossed them aside because they

just didn't fit right or were basically more uncomfortable than the fear of

falling.

Recently I have found one that works like a charm. It is called a Walk-On and

it is light weight and very comfortable. It also has a relative called the

Toe-Off which is the one my son wears and likes very well. He even plays a

little basketball from time to time in his. Well, I've rambled on enough - hope

some of this helps.