Today was a confusing day to say the least:
First, I call medicare, talk to someone who pretty much had no idea what I was talking about. When I tried explaining that I have a prescription for a recumbent trike, she asks why an adult would want a tricycle. Then when I said that the prescription is for an exact make and model, she told me to go through a medicare provider. Guess I thought that's what 1-800-MEDICARE would have been. Her other suggestion was to contact "where ever you're wanting to get the thing."
I decided to just call the local dealer and see if they had any experience in using medicare as a source of payment. She said no, but took all my information and what I was after, and said she'd call back within the next few days after she talked to someone who might know.
At this point, I decided to call TerraTrike and see what they had to say on the whole situation. I forget the guy's name, but was told they can't do anything with medicare, that I would have to call them myself. When I asked about if they could customize it like what the Dr. ordered, he said no, they don't do any custom work or adding options, that they only sell them stock.
I call Utah Trikes, since they are the custom shop, and was told to call back later when someone would be back in the shop. Not a big deal, right? Wait until you read my next part about them...
It's time to try medicare again, hoping to get someone different, that might be a bit more knowledgeable. When I told the lady what I'm wanting, she told me "Sorry, medicare doesn't cover exercise items, is there anything else?" I tell her that the website for the trike says that they do sometimes, and she tells me again "No, medicare doesn't, they lied" Then tells me to go through a medicare provider.
At this point, I'm just getting more and more confused with every phone call, but want to figure out if I wasted money to get the prescription. So, I call TerraTrike again, this time I talk to someone different than the first time. I ask her about medicare paying for the trike, since I was just told they don't. She tells me in certain cases insurance does pay, but she hasn't dealt with medicare herself. She still explains the process to me of how it's supposed to go and says I'm on the right track. I ask her about getting the options I need of the broader gear range and larger rear tire. She says that shouldn't be an issue, but they may need to order some parts. Says she'll get a quote to me sometime on Friday, since they are closed tomorrow, and already closed today. WOW! That's good service, in my opinion, to still answer questions, and not be put out about being on the phone after closing time.
It's still early enough yet, that I call Utah Trikes. I get someone different and ask if they know are familiar with using medicare as payment. He says he doesn't think they are set up for it, I hear him call for someone else and ask him about it. It's the same guy that picked up the phone and said he didn't know, but this time I hear him say "No, they deal with medicare, not us. We're a trike company, not medicare." I say thank you and hang up. Since I'm being polite, I wait until I know the call is disconnected, look at my phone and comment "You sir, are elected Dick of the Day."
Now, here I am ranting to all of you who take the time to read it, when all I really want to rant about is impatience on waiting for the new trike.
Thanks for reading.
