I think you have Medicaid and Medicare confused. Medicare you get at 65, unless found disabled before that. Medicaid is a state Medical help for those that are low income. If you r talking Medicare then u need to check with them. Medicaid u need to file for.
In 2015 and 2016, A compression device called a Comprefit was covered by Medicare when it was ordered by a Physical Therapist who was part of a Home Health Care agency caring for me after discharge from a Rehab Center. These devices are on the list of supplies needed to provide home care by the team for my Lymphedema. A Comprefit is a Velcro wrap with a boot piece. They also make above the knee, arm and other wraps. The coverage only applied because of the Home Health Agency's involvement. Without their services, it would not have been paid for by Medicare. I am working now to find out if straight Michigan Medicaid will cover it. Be careful to make sure the people you enlist for help are qualified. Frankly, most medical personnel are not very familiar with the Lymphedema nor the treatment. The Therapist that solved my problem was a certified Lymphedema therapist. We are now seeing more "Lymphedema Clinics" who seem to concentrate on the very intricate, complicated wrapping methods. The bandages are expensive, it's several weeks to learn how to do the wrapping and no one mentioned the devices like the Comprefit that took the place of the multi-bandage wrapping system. If you can't reach the affected limbs and have no one to help with daily wrapping, explore the other options before investing in 6 to 8 weeks learning to do the manual wraps and massage. The other challenge, if hospitalized or staying in a "rehab center" , is nurses and aides, residents and many doctors do not know the treatment methods and how to use the devices and wraps your doctor or therapist have prescribed. You may have to work with your primary care doctor to make sure their "Orders", written for the rest of the staff to follow in your daily care, describe what is to be done, how often and include any special creams or lotions, soaps, etc. that are being used on your limbs and skin. Nothing happens without an Order and that is often left to Residents in a hospital setting. They may not have a clue about the Lymphedema treatment.
Medicaid is a joint health coverage with Medicare and the State in which you reside. Its provisions vary from State to State. But all states must give at least what is provided by Medicare, and here is what Medicare covers: Manual lymph drainage which may be limited per year. But there are no qualification requirements on the therapists who provide the therapy so you must be careful to get one who has been trained and certified for lymphedema therapy. Includes bandages, which are not covered; Instruction in the special exercises that decongest your limbs; Compression supplies (bandage systems, compression garments and devices) are usually not covered, but can often be reimbursed when you go through an appeal.
The doctor who's treating you for lymphedema, or your oncologist, should have staff who can answer this question.
In pursuing that issue, you might also want to find out if there are any lymphedema classes or therapy that's available. One of the Rehab Institute of Michigan's foci was lymphedema. I took the free class just out of curiosity; it was enlightening, but also a bit frightening.
Is anyone such as a therapist or nurse providing you with information on specific issues and protection of your skin?
Manual lymph drainage which may be limited per year. But there are no qualification requirements on the therapists who provide the therapy so you must be careful to get one who has been trained and certified for lymphedema therapy. Includes bandages, which are not covered;
Instruction in the special exercises that decongest your limbs;
Compression supplies (bandage systems, compression garments and devices) are usually not covered, but can often be reimbursed when you go through an appeal.
In pursuing that issue, you might also want to find out if there are any lymphedema classes or therapy that's available. One of the Rehab Institute of Michigan's foci was lymphedema. I took the free class just out of curiosity; it was enlightening, but also a bit frightening.
Is anyone such as a therapist or nurse providing you with information on specific issues and protection of your skin?