Debbie has a permanent lifetime disability from cancer surgery that requires constant care and unique medical supplies. Contractors working for Medicare routinely denied coverage of Debbie’s supplies, despite the fact that her disability is life threatening and the supplies are medically necessary. Debbie attempted to navigate the Medicare appeals system alone, but faced such stress and resistance that her health quickly deteriorated. Legal aid stepped in and began to represent Debbie through the appeals process. An Administrative Law Judge found in favor of Debbie, and the contractor was ordered to reimburse her for out-of-pocket expenses and supplies that she was denied. “Words cannot express the feeling of despair when one needs legal aid and cannot afford it. I truly believe that if I were in a position to hire any attorney that I wanted, I could not find a better choice than [my legal aid lawyers].”
