Joann’s Story

I was diagnosed with lymphedema at the age of 28 due to treatment I received for stage 4 melanoma. It has been a constant battle to keep the swelling in my leg down to a degree that I can manage it. I do wear a Jobst custom support stockings and an overnight garment to keep the swelling under control. For two years I was without medical insurance to help pay for these supplies. To buy them outright would cause great financial hardship because the cost is overwhelming. I cannot imagine how I will ever be able to afford to pay for these when I get to retire if Medicare will not pick up the bill. It is hard enough to be a cancer survivor let alone to pay for all the medical bills that go along with it. I had to fight with the insurance company to pay for my overnight garment because they said such a thing was not needed and since Medicare did not pay for it they said they would not. Lymphedema is a disease that you can never be cured from and to not have medical coverage for when a person retires can be put a person into financial ruin. Please pass the bill to have Medicare pay for all lymphedema supplies so that other insurance companies will do the same.