Hi Vickie, As far as the Social Security goes, it looks like by the last few statements I received I lost my credits? They say I am no longer eligible for Social Security. We took two many deductions that were certainly legally allowed, but because I was "self employed" I was responsible for all of my government liabilities like paying the full amount for my Social Security vs an Employer paying half, and paying in my medicare, etc. But because we filed jointly each year, which we had to or would have been paying "in" the deductions wiped out my "earned income" where I actually would show a loss. It's a long story! We couldn't afford an accountant and use Turbo tax small business each year.
Here I was struggling, determined not to be dependent on the state or government for MANY years trying to hold my own and keep going and now I have nothing to claim except my death benefit. 
I like your idea of going around the Primary Care, but I know the Pulmonologist wouldn't be receptive, he would send me back to primary care. He told me there is nothing to treat my symptoms like inhalers, etc. even though he showed me near the bottom of a scale of where my breathing should be.
What I didn't share above as I didn't want to get to long winded and have people pass over my Book, (I mean Post), was that I was doing exactly what you suggested, I called a Rheumatologist to set up an appointment as I don't need a referral, and they wanted my Primary Care to fax over my records. They did, and they said they would need current blood work. So I went and had it done and it comes back "negative" again. My Primary care Doctor was the one who diagnosed me with Rheumatoid Arthritis I believe it was a few years ago, and told me although it shows negative in the blood he believes it is "masked" possibly by other issues, maybe the Gout and Osteoarthritis?
So Primary Care calls me yesterday, after almost a year of trying to get mobility help, and of course never let me speak to the Doctor himself without an appointment, and tells me they don't believe the Rheumatoid Doctor will see me based on results and I would just be wasting my time and a co-pay. I reminded them that the Doctor said it could be masked and diagnosed me with Rheumatoid. It turned into a battle that got no where although I maintained myself the best I could knowing they are blocking me from getting a power chair. I believed my Doctor that I had Rheumatoid arthritis so with everything else I was certain the Rheumatologist would prescribe a chair and be able to treat me much better with my arthritis.
You mentioned about being on narcotics, that was the first question they asked my wife when we tried to get into a new practice! What really erks me is I never use up my prescriptions before the due date and can bring the bottles in to show them! I don't like the way they make me feel although they help with the pain and they keep me awake if taken to late in the day. VERY frustrated and feeling totally helpless when my own Doctor who has treated me for years, is most familiar with all my issues, and I can't get help from them.
The medical equipment supplier advised me that he believes it is the nurse that is blocking the Chair/Scooter and the Doctor is just signing off on what she submits back to them. Just a note, there are days when I have GOOD days, but that doesn't take away the rest and this stress is making it worse.
Post Edited (Berean4you) : 5/21/2013 9:57:42 AM (GMT-6)