Here's a classic example of the stupidity of our health system

[pegkerr]

I've mentioned before that Delia is uber flexible. However, that has been causing her some problems in karate: she hyper-extends her joints during her kicks, and this has been giving her pain in her knees.

pazlazuli suggested that we get restrictive braces for her knees to wear to karate class. She happened to have one, size small, which she had gotten for her own son, who needed it briefly, and she passed it on to Delia. Delia tried it and liked it, and asked us to get one for her other leg.

However, we've run into a problem: we can't find one small enough. Delia is a small eleven year old, skinny as a rail, with legs like pipecleaners. I've been to every pharmacy in the area and even a medical supply store. Ordinarily, they only carry "medium" and "large," but even the "small" braces that I've managed to find are too big for Delia's legs. I suggested to Rob that he try stopping by the pharmacy at Children's Hospital. Surely they'd have one the right size, wouldn't they?

So he stopped by the pharmacy and asked. And here we come to the stupid part. Even though you can go into any pharmacy and buy a knee brace for an adult, apparently Children's Hospital is a closed pharmacy and insists that we make an appointment with a doctor and have the doctor write a prescription before they will allow us to purchase one for Delia.

My husband is unemployed and I don't have any money left in my medical savings account for the year. Why the hell should I have to pay a doctor, what $75.00, for a cursory doctor's visit to give me permission to purchase a piece of medical equipment that I can get as an adult without a doctor's say-so?

Well, that's ridiculous. They suggested that we try a sporting goods store. If that doesn't pan out, I guess we'll see if we can special order something with the medical supply company.

Edited to add: Problem has been solved. Thanks, porphyrin!

Comments

[naomikritzer]

When I saw this title I thought it was going to be something about your doctor visit today. Did they give you antibiotics?

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I had the appointment, but the rapid strep test was negative. She said it's just a nasty, nasty virus and I should just plan to stay home from work this week. "Wear fuzzy slippers and make your family wait on you hand and foot."

[ckd]

That's a prescription that I think you should not only get this time, but also have several refills available for future use.

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

Have you tried looking for online sources? Get the name brand and numbers off the too-large ones at the pharmacies, and check online. If the hospital gets them and they're not custom, then you should be able to get them somewhere.

[faeryguinevere.livejournal.com]

I thought about this solution, too. Good idea.

[porphyrin.livejournal.com]

I was practically foaming at the mouth this weekend as I went from one supply closet to the other in clinic, LOOKING for the XXS and XS braces.

My sympathes. They're hard to find even when you DO have a prescription.

It's all very silly

[dragonet2.livejournal.com]

Glad you found a solution.

A number of years ago I went looking for a gait belt (heavy canvas belt to help the helper/aide assist someone who is having trouble walking). (roh's mom and dad lived in an apartment building with a four-step staircase between the floor and door entry... when her dad became wheelchair bound due to bad knees this became a big problem.)

I don't remember which state (we live on a city split by a state line), but at one store that I could walk in and look/pick up, etc. medical goods (I do think it was KS) I picked out a good belt, went to the counter and the clerk told me, "I can't sell that to you if you don't have a prescription." I kind of just went, "Whatever," handed it to her and left.

There was the same kind of store next to our bank branch in Lee's Summit, MO. I walked in, found what I wanted, picked it up and paid for it with nary a hitch or a word for the clerk.

[nwl.livejournal.com]

Have you considered a thrift store or a charity store? It's amazing the number of medical items they can have - crutches, braces, etc. Once people don't need them anymore, they will donate them to resale stores and charities.

[beadslut.livejournal.com]

The company I work for used to make them in kid's sizes, but there wasn't much call for them. If what you need is like a tube made of elastic bandage material, I can see if we still have any.