Jon, thanks for your response. Unbelievable that Medicare would just outright deny the existance of a medical condition so impactful (to put it mildly) to those suffering from it. With regard to your suggestion about self pay, I proposed that yesterday and they weren't amenable, although the guy did mumble something about it being an old prescription. He also said that if the Rx was something related to a respiratory condition, that Medicare might change their tune. Thanks again for the advice, and for all who support this site and provide their expertise and experiences.