Getting Supplies

Thomas: Getting supplies

Thomas, 11, has a disability that is managed with several medications. Recently, his condition got worse. His doctor prescribed a new drug for him, but the side effects made him unable to control his bladder at night. His mom, Denise, told Thomas’s doctor about the problem. “I was getting up every night to change his sheets,” says Denise. “But the doctor said that it’s the only drug that would help him. And so he said Thomas should try some adult diapers.”

But then the medical supply company told Denise that Thomas’s health plan would not cover diapers. Denise says, “I wanted to talk to someone, find out why it was denied.” She called her plan’s member services office and spoke to a representative, who explained that diapers for someone Thomas’s age is not normally a covered benefit. “I told her this is a special situation we are going through. And the representative said, “Well, then we need a letter from his doctor explaining why.”

Denise called the doctor and he sent a letter to the plan. A few days later, the medical supply company delivered the diapers to the house. “What parent doesn’t want the best for their child? If there’s something my son needs, I’m going to ask for it.”

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