TexasCHLforum.com

I filled out the application and took it to my family practitioner, but he refused to sign it.

My right leg is shorter and underdeveloped due to a 1954 bout with polio. My left knee is worn out and a 1998 arthroscopic surgery did not improve the situation. I have to use a cane and my walking is severely limited. I have both hypertension and the neuropathy that goes with diabetes.

My only physicians are this FP and my cardiologist. The orthopedic surgeon who did the earlier arthroscopic surgery won't see me since I now have no insurance. This lack of insurance also makes it impractical to pursue a course of treatment (x-rays, MRI) that might justify my situation to another doctor.

My FP claimed that he never signs these and that I would probably have to visit an occupational health clinic. I don't have access to one of those and haven't worked in almost six years.

I see people everyday that make me wonder how they qualify. I never wanted to qualify before because I thought those spaces should belong to people who were really handicapped.

Can anyone suggest a path with reasonable cost?

You should be eligible for Medicaid. I know, I know. But disabled people such as yourself are who Medicaid was meant for.

See if there's a free clinic in your area. They may be able to help.

Perhaps you should look into SSI as well. Supplemental Security from Social Security. Its for disabled persons who can't work, but have met requirements for Social Security, although not yet old enough. Just throwing it out there. If you are employed, probably not an option, but I don't know.....

I too, have seen many that have no apparent disability with a tag on their car or placard on the rear view mirror.

My father lives with me and can't drive (peripheral neuropathy, no feeling in his feet whatsoever) and he walks with a cane. When we go out, I park close to the store door, help him out (he uses a cane) and then go park the car as he makes his way inside. There are some RUDE people out there that will just sit behind me and sometimes honk their horn, glare, or do other irritating things because they have to wait a few moments for a little old man to exit a car. Mind you, this is not on a street, but in parking lots.

Find another doctor, check into your possible Federal benefits, and the best of luck to you!!

Mike1951 wrote:My only physicians are this FP and my cardiologist. The orthopedic surgeon who did the earlier arthroscopic surgery won't see me since I now have no insurance.

If the surgeon isn't too far away, you might show up at his office and ask the receptionist if the surgeon will sign to form. The worst they can say is no.

Other than that, it sounds like it's time for a new primary care physician.

I know the primary reason is ortho, but severe joint pain and the extra effort to walk due to limb length differential, may be enough to get your cardiologist to sign it.... worth a try in my mind. Shame on your PCP!!!

Mike1951 wrote:I filled out the application and took it to my family practitioner, but he refused to sign it.

My right leg is shorter and underdeveloped due to a 1954 bout with polio. My left knee is worn out and a 1998 arthroscopic surgery did not improve the situation. I have to use a cane and my walking is severely limited. I have both hypertension and the neuropathy that goes with diabetes.

My only physicians are this FP and my cardiologist. The orthopedic surgeon who did the earlier arthroscopic surgery won't see me since I now have no insurance. This lack of insurance also makes it impractical to pursue a course of treatment (x-rays, MRI) that might justify my situation to another doctor.

My FP claimed that he never signs these and that I would probably have to visit an occupational health clinic. I don't have access to one of those and haven't worked in almost six years.

I see people everyday that make me wonder how they qualify. I never wanted to qualify before because I thought those spaces should belong to people who were really handicapped.

Can anyone suggest a path with reasonable cost?

If at all possible you need to find a different doctor. And put out the word wherever and however possible, without leaving yourself open for a possible slander/libel suit, what kind of an incorrigible nitwit he is, in your humble opinion.

Divided Attention wrote:I know the primary reason is ortho, but severe joint pain and the extra effort to walk due to limb length differential, may be enough to get your cardiologist to sign it.... worth a try in my mind. Shame on your PCP!!!

I'm due to see him in a few months and will ask.

The length is only a matter of a half inch or so. The right foot has always been 1 1/2 sizes smaller and is somewhat misshapen due to 1950's efforts at corrective surgery. But I fared much better than many in the polio epidemic. When I was younger and stronger, I could usually hide the limp. It's mainly that the calf and thigh muscles are much smaller. The right leg can't be used to climb steps or stairs or even step over a curb. I have to always lead with the left (bad knee).

OldCurlyWolf wrote:If at all possible you need to find a different doctor. And put out the word wherever and however possible, without leaving yourself open for a possible slander/libel suit, what kind of an incorrigible nitwit he is, in your humble opinion.

You're probably right, but one, I don't accept change well (in anything), and two, when you don't have insurance, nobody wants you as a patient. I started seeing his predecessor about 35 years ago. Sometime about 15-20 years back, he took over the practice when the first one retired. I may not agree with everything he does, but we've grown comfortable with each other.

"I too, have seen many that have no apparent disability with a tag on their car or placard on the rear view mirror."
What Mr.Lonewolf said is probably true,but just because someone is not in a wheelchair or walking with crutches does not mean that person doesn't have serious problems.In my respratory therapy,we have a 2 heart attack victim,a double lung transplant,and my lung capacity is about 60%.All of us walk with no outside problems until the distance becomes too great.

Mike 1951
My lung Dr filled out a form and I took it where you get your license plates from,and got a red mirror tag.Red means no amblitory devise(crutches,cane,wheel chair ect)

J Wilson wrote:Mike 1951
My lung Dr filled out a form and I took it where you get your license plates from,and got a red mirror tag.Red means no amblitory devise(crutches,cane,wheel chair ect)

I do require a cane. I also purchased one of the rolling walkers for situations where standing long periods might have been required, but I haven't given in to actually using it.

I carried the application, completed except for the physician information, to my doctor. He just refused to sign it. As was suggested, I'll try my cardiologist next.

Thanks,

Mike1951 wrote:I do require a cane. I also purchased one of the rolling walkers for situations where standing long periods might have been required, but I haven't given in to actually using it.

I carried the application, completed except for the physician information, to my doctor. He just refused to sign it. As was suggested, I'll try my cardiologist next.

Thanks,

Maybe you should bonk him on the head with your cane.
Just kidding. It is against forum rules to encourage illegal behavior.

I am curious if he gave you a reason, or just refused with no explanation. Sometimes I find MDs to be extremely arrogant and lacking empathy.

WildBill wrote:

Mike1951 wrote:I do require a cane. I also purchased one of the rolling walkers for situations where standing long periods might have been required, but I haven't given in to actually using it.

I carried the application, completed except for the physician information, to my doctor. He just refused to sign it. As was suggested, I'll try my cardiologist next.

Thanks,

Maybe you should bonk him on the head with your cane.
Just kidding. It is against forum rules to encourage illegal behavior.

I am curious if he gave you a reason, or just refused with no explanation. Sometimes I find MDs to be extremely arrogant and lacking empathy.

He just felt it was outside his purview. He treats my diabetes and related issues and any normal illnesses that occur. He did provide some muscle relaxers last year after my orthopedic surgeon refused to see me. I was having extreme left arm pain and offered to pay the orthopedist $400 (his estimate) for visit up front.

I've also had an open workmans comp claim (carpal tunnel, both wrists) with this orthopedic surgeon since 1999. The insurance company won't authorize a physician change since they approved a physician change years ago TO this orthopedist. The physician I initially went to suffered a massive stroke. After recovery, he could see patients on a limited basis but could no longer do surgery. So I requested a change to the surgeon that had done my knee surgery. Now, I'm stuck with him, but he won't schedule an appointment.

So my doctor will treat something if there is sufficient cause. There had never been cause for him to treat either the polio effects or the knee, so I really don't fault him for saying no.

Mike this is unbelievable that a medical Dr.won't sign the form.Why would some Dr.want to see one of his patients suffer any more than they have to.The mirror tags don't cost anybody anything.Keep on asking,maybe someone will do what is right.

Mike1951 wrote:So my doctor will treat something if there is sufficient cause. There had never been cause for him to treat either the polio effects or the knee, so I really don't fault him for saying no.

I can understand that rational. It just really upsets me that medicine [and insurance restrictions] has become so specialized that doctors won't step outside of the boundry of their specialization to treat someone, even if they are qualified.

It has occurred to me that I might have another option. Although I haven't needed him in years, I have an excellent podiatrist who has treated conditions with the right foot. The right ankle is getting weaker and is getting worse about rolling to the inside. Stepping on a rock or an uneven surface will cause a stumble or even a fall. Without the cane, there would be many falls.

He's a really great guy and I think he would accept a prepayment without insurance being an issue.

Mike1951 wrote:It has occurred to me that I might have another option. Although I haven't needed him in years, I have an excellent podiatrist who has treated conditions with the right foot. The right ankle is getting weaker and is getting worse about rolling to the inside. Stepping on a rock or an uneven surface will cause a stumble or even a fall. Without the cane, there would be many falls.

He's a really great guy and I think he would accept a prepayment without insurance being an issue.

That seems to be a viable option. I looked at the DMV website and podiatrists are authorized to sign the form.