I wanted everyone to know the roadblocks Tricare is creating for our family. My husband served his country for 30 years in the NAVY, risking his life for freedom as a SEAL. The thanks he is getting today is roadblocks for our son’s healthcare for his congenital lymphedema.
Does a 6-year-old boy want to wear compression garments to school everyday that look like pantyhose? No! And because he is 6 and growing he can’t buy them off the shelf, as TRICARE would suggest. They are special order and we have been waiting for the replacement for 5 months. We have authorization but can’t find a supplier that wants to order them and lose over $500 because the insurance won’t even pay the actual cost. So we tried to pay cash because he needs them; it is not an option! No, we can’t do that because the provider accepts TRICARE and would lose her contract accepting cash from us.
Our hands are tied and now each day my son is growing and is getting sores on his legs that will turn into cellulitis and end up being hospitalized. If we don’t use them his leg will get even bigger and look like elephantitis. All this due to the nonexistence healthcare my husband has from a country he fought for with 13 overseas tours!
As a mom I am frustrated. As a wife I am sad for the risk my husband took and the lack of caring from his country. As a doctor I am ashamed at the care we pay for and yet don’t get.
