Medicaid denies prosthetics for Texas woman who lost both arms in vicious 2023 dog attack

A Texas mother who lost both hands in a brutal dog attack says the prosthetic limbs that could restore her independence are gathering dust — because Medicaid won’t cover the cost.

Rachele Miller, 49, is now trying to raise $24,000 to pay for the custom-made prosthetics that have been left unused in her doctor’s office. Medicaid denied coverage last fall, citing income limits.

“It’s been hell going through this,” Miller told The Post. Since the traumatic attack in May 2023, she’s relied on medication to manage the intense phantom pain from her amputated arms.

Miller’s life was upended when Oakley, her daughter’s 120-pound Dogo Argentino, suddenly turned on her in their Mansfield, Texas, home — where the dog had lived peacefully for seven years.

“He grabbed my left hand, and I felt my arm jerk out of the socket,” Miller recalled. When she tried to defend herself with her right hand, the dog bit that too.

Her teenage son rushed in and pulled the dog off. “He told me from my elbows down, there was just blood everywhere,” she said.

Doctors were forced to amputate both arms above the elbow. Miller spent a month in the hospital, and her life changed overnight. She had to quit her job as a collision estimator and relocate to Virginia, where she now lives with her brother and survives on Social Security.

Initially, things looked hopeful. A pair of prosthetic arms were designed and fitted for her. But when she went to pick them up, she was told Medicaid had denied the claim.

“They said I make too much money,” said Miller, who shared the denial letter. She’s since been unable to find any insurer willing to cover the devices, which remain in her doctor’s care, unused.

“Your life is already hard, and when you finally ask for help, they just make it harder,” she said. “There are roadblocks everywhere, and no one seems willing to help.”

Still, Miller remains determined. She’s launched a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised nearly $4,900 toward her goal. The funds would cover the cost of the prosthetics and the physical therapy needed to use them.

“With these arms, I could hug my kids again,” Miller said. “I haven’t had a real hug in over a year. People are afraid they’ll hurt me — but they can’t. You can’t hurt me anymore.”