Joyce’s Story

As I entered my 60’s, I noticed indentations in my legs when I removed my socks at the end of the day. One doctor I consulted said it might indicate a heart problem. As time went on, the swelling increased in my lower legs and they became red and hot and itchy. I then went to my primary care physician who diagnosed the condition as a cellulitis infection and gave me antibiotics. The situation worsened. My doctor put me in the hospital where I was given an antibiotic IV drip which was supposed to clear up the problem in a few days. It did not. I was in the hospital for five days. I was then referred to an infectious disease doctor who gave me other antibiotics he hoped would address the cellulitis. They did not. He then referred me to a dermatologist who immediately said this was a problem of venous insufficiency and lymphedema that was causing the swelling in my lower legs.The treatment was to use compression stockings which had to be custom made because of the shape of my legs. Wearing these stockings has controlled the swelling. I was working at the time and my insurance covered three pairs of custom made compression stockings every six months and a lympha press compression machine to use at night before bed. I retired at age 71 and joined Medicare. I was shocked to learn that Medicare would not cover the cost of custom made compression stockings or a compression machine. The stockings cost $289.00 a pair which I must pay out of pocket. They last about four months. These stockings are critical to controlling the swelling of my lower legs and I wear them daily. Medicare would cover a week in the hospital for me which cost thousands of dollars, but not the preventative care these stockings provide. This is not cost effective. Medicare should cover custom made compression stockings and a lympha press compression pump to control lymphedema.