ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — 9 Investigates is getting help for a central Florida man who said he couldn’t get the oxygen he needs to survive from a medical supply company.
In August, medical supplier Univita was going out of the business, leaving patients stranded without supplies they needed.
After that, Channel 9 reported on a woman who was stuck in her home because she couldn’t get a portable oxygen tank.
Now, a man who is terminally ill said he ran out of oxygen tanks from the company.
After Channel 9’s Janine Reyes started making calls, the man started getting his oxygen tanks delivered Wednesday.
Ron Wilsons, the patient, said the order still wasn’t quite right and will need more portable oxygen tanks delivered later.
He had needed it since July.
“He’s got one lung, emphysema, cancer and he needs this to breath,” said his wife, Dawn Wilsons.
Three months ago, Ron Wilsons' oxygen tanks stopped being delivered.
Univita delivered the oxygen for three months, but when it closed down, so did his air supply.
“Just trying to get my next breath is really hard,” Ron Wilsons said.
Respitec took over the account, and one employee said since Univita went bankrupt, Staywell Health Plan, a WellCare company, is backlogged with patients whose approval is taking longer than other health plans.
Dawn Wilsons called relentlessly for months.
After Reyes called Stay Well, the company responded, thanking Channel 9 for letting them know about the problem and promising oxygen for Ron Wilsons within the next few hours.
“A miracle from Channel 9 because I don’t think he would have gotten the oxygen,” said Dawn Wilsons.
Respitec said about 1 million Medicaid patients need medical supplies at home, but the company couldn’t say how many are waiting for approval on much-needed medical supplies.
Staywell said their health plan has the largest volume of Medicaid patients in the region and that could be why some employees feel like they have the most backlogs.
They released a statement saying in cases where members urgently need oxygen, suppliers should give it out immediately and get authorization afterward.
WellCare's Statement: WellCare has taken action to ensure that our members continue to receive all medically necessary durable medical equipment (DME) and home health services. We are collaborating directly with providers and medical suppliers to ensure the delivery of new supplies and services.
In cases where our members urgently need oxygen, our DME suppliers have been advised to supply the prescribed oxygen immediately and to obtain the required authorization documentation as soon as possible afterward.
Members should call customer service right away if they have a service or equipment need or question.
- Staywell Kids 1-866-698-5437
- HealthEase Kids 1-800-278-8178
- Staywell 1-866-334-7927
- WellCare (Medicare - HMO Plans): 1-888-888-9355
- WellCare (Medicare - Special Needs Plans): 1-866-637-8041
- TTY/TDD (All Plans) call: 1-877-247-6272