(Sorry this is sideways. I took it with my phone and can't figure out how to edit it to turn it! GAH! It is mighty cute, though ;))
Today I called to check on Madi's stander and got some not-so-good news. The stander was finished, however, they were waiting on approval from CRS to be able to give it to me. CRS stands for Children's Rehabilitative Services, and it is the local clinic where all the doctors go to help children with special needs. It's like your one-stop-doctor-shop. They had already tried to get CRS's approval once and the stander was denied. They said this happens every time they try to approve something like this and that eventually they will accept it because they have to. So, because of some technicality, it sits there and we do not get to use it yet. Here's the kicker, though. We are self-pay through CRS because we are not on AHCCCS or Arizona Long-Term Care. All this means is we pay the discounted AHCCCS rate for our care instead of the standard rate. We still pay for all of her care, though. It goes to insurance first, then the rest comes to us. We also have our $35 co-pays (which let me tell you, those add up fast at 1-4 times a week, plus prescriptions and/or natural remedies), so it's not like this is coming to us free from CRS. That is not the case at all. The reason they deny it infuriates me in itself. It is assumed that Madi will need a wheel chair. It's cheaper, in the short-term, to stick madi in a chair than it is to give her the adaptive equipment to walk and the chair. In the long run, though, Madi walking will cost a substantial amount less. It is better for her muscles, circulation, self-esteem, cognitive development, etc..... to be standing. I think the hardest part of all is waiting while another person gets to decide my child's quality of life and what she "can" do. So, for now, we wait. I know it's all God's timing (but hurry up already!!) and will update you when it finally comes. Oh, and you may want to pray for a dash of patience for me ;).
CRS will NOT pay for standers...you are right.
ReplyDeleteI guess we are lucky in TN. So far I have not had to pay for any of kaseys therapies or anything. Although, they have let you guys try things that Kasey has not tried yet. If you want to know more check out our blog thing. Its always good to have someone else to talk to!
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