Lorraine Brackey, I hear you. Here’s another not-so-good experience with Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea.

After struggling with arthritic knees for 15 years, I accepted a prescription for a wheelchair from my Mayo Clinic-Albert Lea doctor. I took it down to the Mayo Clinic Store, and an employee was there to help me.

First, yes, I was in the Mayo system. Yes, I had Medicare, and, yes, Medicare would pay for a wheelchair.

Am I going to use this chair outside? Yes.

“No, no, no, no.” (She said it four times!) This chair was to be used “solely within the home.”

I said nothing; I figured I’d take my chances with the wheelchair police when they caught me outside.

What size? I explained to the employee that since I was a large woman, I would like a large one. Oh, well, Medicare will not pay for a large wheelchair. What? Isn’t that discrimination? She did not deny that, but suggested that I buy the chair myself, and they would not turn it into Medicare. I then had to talk myself blue in the face for Mayo to turn it into Medicare because my supplemental insurance would not cover the cost without Medicare’s refusal.

I am surprised, disappointed, etc., that the employee in the Mayo store could override a medical doctor’s prescription. According to her, I was not “medically eligible” for a large wheelchair. My question to this employee is this: Am I medically ineligibile for a wheelchair because I was going to use it to get to a doctor’s appointment, etc., or because I have a fat butt?

Vickie Becker

Freeborn