Since the summer of 2005 I have been in the process of trying to qualify for an Omega Trac wheelchair. I had to try different manufacturers front and mid-wheel drive (I have a rear wheel drive) chairs and explain why they would not suit my needs to Medicare, medical assistance and Blue Cross Blue Shield. After being denied by all three because they said it was not "medically necessary" to have such an expensive share I started my appeal process. I wrote a five-page appeal letter, with pictures and was surprised that Blue Cross Blue Shield had reversed their decision because of my compelling appeal letter and approved the Omega Trac chair for me. On New Year's Day, my son went down and got the mail from New Year's Eve and there was a letter in there from medical assistance. The letter went on for two paragraphs explaining why they feel that this chair was not medically necessary for me. The third paragraph then stated why they would approve the chair and pick up the out-of-pocket costs that I would need to pay if I just went with Blue Cross Blue Shield. I read that last paragraph several times and was absolutely flabbergasted that medical assistance changed their minds. If it wasn't for Kiersten from National Seating & Mobility, I do not think that this would have happened. The Omega Trac should be ordered next week but I'm really not going to believe it until I'm sitting in it because you never know what can happen. Yesterday, Friday, I received a call from the appeals judge confirming that medical assistance reversed their decision and approved my chair. She is going to sign all the legal documents and send me a copy. For those of you that are wondering why I went with such a large chair like the Omega Trac here's my reasons. I live in the country near Duluth, MN which is hilly and not very conducive to standard wheelchairs especially in the wintertime. I'm a large man that likes the stability of the Omega Trac compared to my Invacare especially when transversing hills and uneven ground. I need a solid platform for driving around the hills of Duluth and I own my own home in the country and have been stuck to many times in my driveway during and after a snow along with not being able to go in my yard unless somebody is with me. The bottom line is freedom. I guess the moral of the story is to find the company that you feel comfortable dealing with and also never take no for an answer until all avenues and appeals are exhausted. Carefully read all documentation and make sure all your I's and T's are dotted and crossed. Jim
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