I have MS and really need a Bioness
Donation protected
I am 55 years old and was diagnosed with MS in 2011. I have primary progressive MS. I do walk with a cane and a walker at times. Even with these devices it is very difficult to walk very far. I get fatigued really quickly not
only from the stiffness in my legs, but I have foot drop as well. I had tried a device called the Bioness device this is a neuro stimulator which is worn on my knee and on my heal. This device will send signals to my brain to tell my knee and foot to lift at the appropiate time.
When I tried this device, I was amazed I could walk again
and did not have a fear of falling. This device will train
my muscles in my leg to get stronger and I will be able
to do many more things that I want to do just by walking. This device is going to improve my quality of life.
I had contacted Medicare to ask if this was covered. I was told this is not a covered device. It needed to be studied more. I told Medicare that this was studied and it is a proven to work. ( If I am walking) It is working. This was not enough for Medicare. You need to have a brain injury for this device to be covered. I told them I have
brain lesions, that was not satisfactory and this device
would not be covered. This is a approved byFDA . This device cost $4500 and $ 28 per month for the leads. The leads have to be changed every 2 weeks. I contacted my secondary insurance and I was told if medicare does not cover t then Anthem would not cover it either, they follow medicareguidelines.
I have exhausted all avenues that I have
and really know that this device will change my quality
of life this will allow me to regain my walking and allow
me to do some of things that I used to be able to do.
only from the stiffness in my legs, but I have foot drop as well. I had tried a device called the Bioness device this is a neuro stimulator which is worn on my knee and on my heal. This device will send signals to my brain to tell my knee and foot to lift at the appropiate time.
When I tried this device, I was amazed I could walk again
and did not have a fear of falling. This device will train
my muscles in my leg to get stronger and I will be able
to do many more things that I want to do just by walking. This device is going to improve my quality of life.
I had contacted Medicare to ask if this was covered. I was told this is not a covered device. It needed to be studied more. I told Medicare that this was studied and it is a proven to work. ( If I am walking) It is working. This was not enough for Medicare. You need to have a brain injury for this device to be covered. I told them I have
brain lesions, that was not satisfactory and this device
would not be covered. This is a approved byFDA . This device cost $4500 and $ 28 per month for the leads. The leads have to be changed every 2 weeks. I contacted my secondary insurance and I was told if medicare does not cover t then Anthem would not cover it either, they follow medicareguidelines.
I have exhausted all avenues that I have
and really know that this device will change my quality
of life this will allow me to regain my walking and allow
me to do some of things that I used to be able to do.
Organizer
Pam Dimoff
Organizer
Marlborough, CT
