ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County woman who uses an oxygen tank to survive said she's been stuck in her house for weeks.
Holly Olier told Channel 9's Deneige Broom that one of the state's biggest suppliers of health care equipment for Medicaid and Medicare patients pulled out of the business and left thousands hanging in the balance.
Olier has Stage 3 lung disease and for the last 15 years has needed a concentrator that plugs into a wall, or portable oxygen tanks to help her breathe.
Raw: Woman describes difficulty living without portable oxygen
For 10 days, Olier has been unable to get portable oxygen tanks. She has an electric device, but she can travel only inside her home as far as the cord lets her.
"If I don't have this, I (can only) take three or four steps," she said.
When Olier was about to run out of her portable oxygen two weeks ago, she called the supplier, Uunivita, but was told that the company was out of business.
Channel 9 reported earlier this month that when Univita went out of business in Florida, it would be leaving thousands of Medicaid and Medicare patients throughout the state scrambling to get lifesaving equipment.
Olier is now out of portable oxygen and has been calling her insurance provider, but has not gotten any traction.
"I don't know that I'm any closer to having any oxygen. I don't know if I'm going to have to try to get a lawyer. I don't know," she said.
A spokesperson at the Agency for Health Care Administration in Tallahassee told Channel 9 that the agency will help get Olier the portable oxygen, but it seems thaat she's one of thousands throughout the state who have been left stranded, Broom said.
The agency said those who haven't been able to get medical supplies should contactinsurance providers directly.
Humana Statement:
"We are connecting with the Humana member mentioned in your story this evening and any Humana members with questions or concerns about their Medicare or Medicaid benefits can call Humana toll free at 800-457-4708.
"We are working hard to ensure that our members receive the care they need."
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