Aa
Does money grow on trees???????
Hi everyone, I have a question. Does money grow on trees? I've had a poopy day and need to vent a little. I was informed this morning that I lost my health insurance and have been "LAID OFF" from work. ( because I haven't been able to work due to the MS) I had a neuro appt. and had to cancel to to lack of money. The visits are 150$ each. I called the medicaid office, and was told that I don't qualify. ( she said I have to be pregnant, disabled, or over 65)
My family doc gave me a script for Ambien-and I can't afford it-it's $95. I can't sleep due to the heat intolerance-he said the Ambien might help. I don't know what to do. I don't have a dime to my name, I can't go to the doc, I need meds to get better so I can work. I can't even afford my heart meds-I told the medicaid office this, and she said she can't help me. ( I told her I'd end up in the ER with SVT without my heart meds)
I'm sorry if I sound *******, I just don't know what to do. The MS symptoms keep getting worse and I can't do anything about it.
My family doc gave me a script for Ambien-and I can't afford it-it's $95. I can't sleep due to the heat intolerance-he said the Ambien might help. I don't know what to do. I don't have a dime to my name, I can't go to the doc, I need meds to get better so I can work. I can't even afford my heart meds-I told the medicaid office this, and she said she can't help me. ( I told her I'd end up in the ER with SVT without my heart meds)
I'm sorry if I sound *******, I just don't know what to do. The MS symptoms keep getting worse and I can't do anything about it.
I saw an ad on tv at work today about prescription assistance. The website is www.freemedicinerevolution.com. It's hosted by Montel Williams, who also happens to have MS. Hope this info helps you. Karina
I'm so sorry for you and so ashamed at our system and your company. You spent your time and years helping other people, and now they are going to treat you like that. Unbelievable.
File those papers, and don't back down. Research the lawas as best as possible and stay informed about GA Medicaid and disability/labor laws.
I don't know about your situation, but by me, some of the local businesses do fundraisers. My brother is a martial arts instructor, and at his school, when a family suffers a tragedy like yours, they band together to help them out. Do you maybe have a church group or somthing where you can see if you can find help, even if it's just legal advice? It's just a suggestion for a rough patch, and a hard to thing to ask, I know.
File those papers, and don't back down. Research the lawas as best as possible and stay informed about GA Medicaid and disability/labor laws.
I don't know about your situation, but by me, some of the local businesses do fundraisers. My brother is a martial arts instructor, and at his school, when a family suffers a tragedy like yours, they band together to help them out. Do you maybe have a church group or somthing where you can see if you can find help, even if it's just legal advice? It's just a suggestion for a rough patch, and a hard to thing to ask, I know.
Darn buttons.
Go to Social security office and fill out paperwork for SSDI and SSI.In the processs they will have paper work for state medicaid.With you having a heart condition,that will raise a red flag and speed up your reveiw.Along with the heart condition you have MS.
When dealing with State offices there can be rotten personel.You do not have to be disabled,over 65 or pregnant to get medicaid.They may even have a spend down program,but in your case you should qualify for medicaid.
Research your states medicaid rules,you may beable to aply on line.
Go to Social security office and fill out paperwork for SSDI and SSI.In the processs they will have paper work for state medicaid.With you having a heart condition,that will raise a red flag and speed up your reveiw.Along with the heart condition you have MS.
When dealing with State offices there can be rotten personel.You do not have to be disabled,over 65 or pregnant to get medicaid.They may even have a spend down program,but in your case you should qualify for medicaid.
Research your states medicaid rules,you may beable to aply on line.
I just looked up GA medicaid program the person that you spoke with didn't give you all the info ,it's for the disabled,aged,pregnant and individuals with limited assets and resources!!!!!!!!!! You down load an application fill it out an take it to your local department,it will speed up the process.
I meant I'm gonna file chapter 7, not chapter 11. Gues it depends on your assets. Karina
It's a fairly big private ambulance company. Basically they feel they are losing money if we aren't working, doing runs, and making money for them. If we call off work, then they have to call someone else and beg them to work. Most of us were more than willing to work overtime because we wern't paid well. They are greedy. We didn't have short-term disability, dental or vision insurance. They fired people who injured their backs because they couldn't work. It was pathetic.
That is horrible that they fired you. How RUDE!!! You are disabled and should qualify for mediciad. I am financially hurting too, but I still work full time, don't know for how much longer. Hope forever, but will have to wait and see.
I have decided to file for bankruptcy on tuesday. I can't afford the bills I have, let alone food. Filing will damage my credit for 8 years, but I'm looking at the damage I'm facing NOW. I have to pay a fee, but they said they'd wipe it all out. Is that an option for you? To declare bankruptcy and have money you can use for medical?? Just a thought. One I've had to come to terms with.
I don't know if you own a house or car, if do don't know how that would work for you. Don't even know if you are in debt at all. I live in an apartment and take the bus, so maybe that's why I can file chapter 11. Anyways just a thought. Hang in there!!! Karina
I have decided to file for bankruptcy on tuesday. I can't afford the bills I have, let alone food. Filing will damage my credit for 8 years, but I'm looking at the damage I'm facing NOW. I have to pay a fee, but they said they'd wipe it all out. Is that an option for you? To declare bankruptcy and have money you can use for medical?? Just a thought. One I've had to come to terms with.
I don't know if you own a house or car, if do don't know how that would work for you. Don't even know if you are in debt at all. I live in an apartment and take the bus, so maybe that's why I can file chapter 11. Anyways just a thought. Hang in there!!! Karina
How big is the company you -used to-work for? And by the way-that's repulsive. How do they know you won't go into remission and be able to work again?
Zilla*
Zilla*
Good luck sweetie and know that you have people behind you. Prayers do work.
Isn't it amazing that in this great country, our healthcare system is failing us?
Wanna
Isn't it amazing that in this great country, our healthcare system is failing us?
Wanna
Thank-you for the advice. It'll help so much. My employer fired me-I know I put "laid off", but they said that at first, then fired me. They said it was because I couldn't work. The cobra is 580$ a month. I asked my family, but due to two of my brothers having babies-they can't help. One of my brothers wife is delivering now. I'll call the SS office, MS society, and Medicare tomm. It's frustrating because I've worked hard all this time, and now I can't. My family doc's visits are 120$ a visit. They said that is the discount rate. I won't give up, I won't let this illness get me down.
My husband is the Human Resource Director for an international company, and he just told me that YOU must ask for FMLA protection, by law they do not have to OFFER it, but if you ask for it they have to give it to you if you qualify.
Wanna
Wanna
Thanks. Hard to believe my old employer would do ANYTHING they didn't have to do for an emploee's rights. Q
I'm so sorry this has happned to you. I realize that half of our solutions depend on having money. Is their anyone who can help you keep your COBRA coverage? Yes, the generic ambien is cheaper and works just as well. Doctor's often have samples. Are you still on good terms with the husband and wife general practice team? Can they give you so help, advice or pointers?
I am surprised that the company you work with did not offer you FMLA. When I went down I was immediately informed I was elegible on the basis of my own severe illness. It was a big greedy, medical corporation so I wonder if notification is mandatory. How long had you been out of work. FMLA can extend for 12 weeks. They have to haold you job or an equivalent, there is no pay, but your insurance must continue. Generally you have to pay what would be considered your share.
Can anyone help find out if notification to the employee is mandatory that FMLA is available?
Please contact the local MS Society and see what ideas they have for your situation. Second, apply for Social Security Disability. If you have paid in long enough (you said you had worked for 11 years. That's long enough) If they approve you , you will be eligible for payments. The amount they pay is determined by how much you've paid in. If you qualify, that much would come in and you would be eligible for Medicare two years from the month you were disabled. Two years seems forever, but once it begins ticking you're on you way. You can always return to work. If you return parttime your SSD payment drops a little. If you go back fulltime, they just stop the payments and you continue paying in. When the Medicare kicks in for a little premium each month they pick up a hauge amount.
The COBRA - you need to check on the specifics - I think you have 60 days to elect to keep it. Then you pay for the exact coverage you had with your job. It can be pricey, but it is soooo important to try to keep coverage.
At this point you are clearly disabled. It may not be permanent,but it is true now. Contact your state disability office and see what you qualify for. They may be able to expedite the paperwork given your condition. Also with the federal Social Security Disability people; I found them very pleasant and helpful to work with. I've received SSD for 5 years. If you give them enough info then the determination can be made in a couple of months. I broke some kind of record when I was approved in less than 4 weeks, but then I sent them two cases of data and my fully fleshed out precious timeline.
Can anyone help you so you can continue treatment while you explore the disability issues?
I hope some of these will help. I can't believe anyone in this country is left in this position! We'll help look at your alternatives. You're not alone.
Quix
I am surprised that the company you work with did not offer you FMLA. When I went down I was immediately informed I was elegible on the basis of my own severe illness. It was a big greedy, medical corporation so I wonder if notification is mandatory. How long had you been out of work. FMLA can extend for 12 weeks. They have to haold you job or an equivalent, there is no pay, but your insurance must continue. Generally you have to pay what would be considered your share.
Can anyone help find out if notification to the employee is mandatory that FMLA is available?
Please contact the local MS Society and see what ideas they have for your situation. Second, apply for Social Security Disability. If you have paid in long enough (you said you had worked for 11 years. That's long enough) If they approve you , you will be eligible for payments. The amount they pay is determined by how much you've paid in. If you qualify, that much would come in and you would be eligible for Medicare two years from the month you were disabled. Two years seems forever, but once it begins ticking you're on you way. You can always return to work. If you return parttime your SSD payment drops a little. If you go back fulltime, they just stop the payments and you continue paying in. When the Medicare kicks in for a little premium each month they pick up a hauge amount.
The COBRA - you need to check on the specifics - I think you have 60 days to elect to keep it. Then you pay for the exact coverage you had with your job. It can be pricey, but it is soooo important to try to keep coverage.
At this point you are clearly disabled. It may not be permanent,but it is true now. Contact your state disability office and see what you qualify for. They may be able to expedite the paperwork given your condition. Also with the federal Social Security Disability people; I found them very pleasant and helpful to work with. I've received SSD for 5 years. If you give them enough info then the determination can be made in a couple of months. I broke some kind of record when I was approved in less than 4 weeks, but then I sent them two cases of data and my fully fleshed out precious timeline.
Can anyone help you so you can continue treatment while you explore the disability issues?
I hope some of these will help. I can't believe anyone in this country is left in this position! We'll help look at your alternatives. You're not alone.
Quix
I used caps in the above post, not to contradict Quix, but to express how companies will attempt to get around things.
I'm so sorry!!
Like Wanna posted, you should be able to keep your coverage under COBRA, but you'll have to pay for that.
Try to get generics or samples from your Doctor.
Maybe contact the NMSS or MSAA and see if they can give you any advice or assistance or at least tell you who to contact?
You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers and I hope you can find some solutions soon!
Take care! Pat
Like Wanna posted, you should be able to keep your coverage under COBRA, but you'll have to pay for that.
Try to get generics or samples from your Doctor.
Maybe contact the NMSS or MSAA and see if they can give you any advice or assistance or at least tell you who to contact?
You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers and I hope you can find some solutions soon!
Take care! Pat
So sorry to hear this awful news! My heart goes out to you.
First of all, by law you can continue your health benefits through COBRA. It must be offered to you for 18 months and then you can get an extension. The catch is you have to pay for the insurance. If you can find a way to pay for it...maybe your family???..you would be better off if you could continue your coverage. I know it sounds like a lot to take on, but try and find a way to keep your coverage!
Secondly, can you call your family doctor and try to get the generic form of Ambien? Zolpidem would be much cheaper (about 1/3 the cost).
Again, words cannot express how my heart goes out to you.
Wanna
First of all, by law you can continue your health benefits through COBRA. It must be offered to you for 18 months and then you can get an extension. The catch is you have to pay for the insurance. If you can find a way to pay for it...maybe your family???..you would be better off if you could continue your coverage. I know it sounds like a lot to take on, but try and find a way to keep your coverage!
Secondly, can you call your family doctor and try to get the generic form of Ambien? Zolpidem would be much cheaper (about 1/3 the cost).
Again, words cannot express how my heart goes out to you.
Wanna
That doesn't make any sense. Someone in your doc's office should be helping you with paperwork. I don't get it. Ask your family doc for samples. I don't know if Ambien is the answer, but he should be able to help you with something. Have you checked to see if you have short-term disability insurance through your employer?
Momzilla*
Momzilla*
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