I can't sleep tonight because of all that's been happening. So, I wrote the following message to our local news channel. I don't know if it will do any good.
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I became disabled back in August this year with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. Before that, I had a great job working as a contractor for American Express where I made good money and had health insurance. But the moment that I became disabled, all human concern for my condition has evaporated. I couldn't afford to keep COBRA and when I had exhausted my savings and resources, I was forced into the AHCCCS medical system. I can't seem to get General Assistance, my Long Term Disability or Social Security. But even worse, I can't get something I need right now, an electric powered wheelchair. Every day I go in circles between the doctor's office and Mercy Care trying to find out why I can't get help. One, I can't get ramps because I don't need a full-time nurse. I can't ever get a wheel-chair lift because I have to self-pay that when someday I am bleassed with benefits. The head of the Arizona Center for Disability Law, a quadrapelic, has been trying for four years to get a new wheelchair for himself. After talking with the really kind people at the Mesa Senior Center, I'm told that the only way to get an electric-powered wheelchair is not if I want it so I can manage to go the doctor's appointments or any other activity. No, the only way I'm allowed one is if I need a powered chair to moved around my own home. Well, I do meet this qualification. But I have to make a third trip to my Primary Care Physcian on Friday to beg once more for the correct stated script to get an electric powered chair. It's hard enough to face the fact that I need this kind of help. But to have to beg for it. And, everyone says it just takes time. Without the chair, my pain is immmense and I cannot walk at all at times. I have problems with upper body strength and shoulder that has damage and that requires surgery that I will have to wait months to get. This is just the tip of all the problems that myself and my daughter have faced because we are both disabled. Could you please investigate this matter because I am told that this is Standard Operating Procedure?
[QUOTE=Deanna]I can't sleep tonight because of all that's been happening. So, I wrote the following message to our local news channel. I don't know if it will do any good.
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I became disabled back in August this year with severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. Before that, I had a great job working as a contractor for American Express where I made good money and had health insurance. But the moment that I became disabled, all human concern for my condition has evaporated. I couldn't afford to keep COBRA and when I had exhausted my savings and resources, I was forced into the AHCCCS medical system. I can't seem to get General Assistance, my Long Term Disability or Social Security. But even worse, I can't get something I need right now, an electric powered wheelchair. Every day I go in circles between the doctor's office and Mercy Care trying to find out why I can't get help. One, I can't get ramps because I don't need a full-time nurse. I can't ever get a wheel-chair lift because I have to self-pay that when someday I am bleassed with benefits. The head of the Arizona Center for Disability Law, a quadrapelic, has been trying for four years to get a new wheelchair for himself. After talking with the really kind people at the Mesa Senior Center, I'm told that the only way to get an electric-powered wheelchair is not if I want it so I can manage to go the doctor's appointments or any other activity. No, the only way I'm allowed one is if I need a powered chair to moved around my own home. Well, I do meet this qualification. But I have to make a third trip to my Primary Care Physcian on Friday to beg once more for the correct stated script to get an electric powered chair. It's hard enough to face the fact that I need this kind of help. But to have to beg for it. And, everyone says it just takes time. Without the chair, my pain is immmense and I cannot walk at all at times. I have problems with upper body strength and shoulder that has damage and that requires surgery that I will have to wait months to get. This is just the tip of all the problems that myself and my daughter have faced because we are both disabled. Could you please investigate this matter because I am told that this is Standard Operating Procedure?
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are than more than one local stations in your area? i know we have 4 here in RI, sometimes its best to hit them all. that way you have greater chances of finding a listening ear that will investigate.
i really despise the health care system in this country. its abusive, slow acting and you have to do what your insurance will pay for rather than what you need. its awful. i cant wait to see what kind of abuse i get from mine once i start going to my rd. i may be hurting and in pain, but i can be a real pain when i think something isnt right and i will take them head on and fight them face to face and in the media if i have to.
i pay way more than any other state in new england per week, almost double the neighboring states. and this state is well known for its insurance corruption and has been in the news way to much and had way to much attention drawn to them because of the high cost and abuse that delivered to its participants.
good luck and i hope your efforts pay off.
on another note, dont ask me which one, but wasn't it rascle who said in their commercials, we will fight to get your chair paid for by insurance, or we will pay for the chair?
you may want to look at that option.
Harold, I've seen that commercial many many times but I can't remember the name. After reading what you're going through Deanna, I'll grab a pen & paper when it's on next time.
I hope you find your answer.
[QUOTE=Debrakay]
Harold, I've seen that commercial many many times but I can't remember the name. After reading what you're going through Deanna, I'll grab a pen & paper when it's on next time.
I hope you find your answer.
[/QUOTE]
i haven't seen it in a while, but i watch more dvd's than i do live tv, so that could be why. but i remember they said that on the comercial. i thought that was good and struck me, and it stuck in my head. when i read this post it sprung right to mind.
It's great Deanna. It will benefit all of us to get noticed. I have a friend with a disabled son and because of the news he was donated an electric wheelchair and a nice used van so just maybe you might. I am still on hubby's insurance and was told to get things like that now as I will not be able to get them on Medicare though I only need a walker at this time. After a year on SSDI I am told that I must switch to Medicare. The system stinks.Maybe you should add that you wrote to the governor and yourMan, I wish I had some of your advice before I wrote something. Have heard nothing. Figures. Too wiped out now today to do much more.
But please keep up with the advice because what I am learning everyday is too horrific to not bring light to. If nothing else, I would love to see the gentleman who is paraplegic get a new wheelchair.
I found out that the crux of my problem (and this holds for the mobility chair advertisements as well) is that unless your doctor will write a script for an electric chair, noboby is going to give you one. Well, the Nurse Practioner seems to think I need to stay active. He just doesn't get it. I went in there first discusssion was how I couldn't use my left arm. It hurts my arm and spine so much to try and manuever this thing. Yet, taking the stress off my spine helps with the tremors and the other parts of the pain. I can explain this to others, but this guy doesn't get it. I went round and round with insurance and wheelchair provider. I have to get another specialist involved. So, I've left messages for both my Rheumatologist and my Orthopedic doctor. I will second opinion until I get what I need.
But this really is riding to the opinion of one ignorant individual for whom I have not respect left. I see someone in the Primary's office tomorrow. I don't know if it's the actual doctor or this same guy. But I am prepared to throw a hissy fit of 8 point magnitude.
I cannot believe how heartless everyone has been in this process. I've requested a case manager with the insurnance 3 separate times. I called again today to check on it. Oh, they don't have any record of it. I asked for the supervisor who was really nasty. I asked for her boss. Oh, get this, I cannot get a case manager unless I am terminal. I know this isn't true. My daughter was assigned a case manager at one time (where they are now, we don't know). But since I didn't know the names of any of people I previously talked to then I must not have put in the request. Well, they are going to put in the request. I made the girl start listing all my illnesses which I had to spell out everything. Finally, she ran out of room and asked for an overall conditoin. I said serious multiple autoimmune disease. After that, her attitude changed a bit and she said I ought to be able to get a case manager if I have multiple conditions. But they won't call and tell me the results of the request unless I get approved. If that gets declined supposed I can talk to someone in their Case Management department for more information. Why do I want one? Only because I am so sick and I am spending 4-5 hours a day on the phone trying to get services.
Deanna, I would also send it to Bill O'Reilly and all of the other major networks. I am not sure that the timing would be good right now with the holidays and world problems. But, you need help now!Of course, I think it is very newsworthy. When I was working for my non-profit we would try to get stories on our program for public outreach. Some of them made it, some made it on a later date, and some never made it. It depends on how much news is going on.
A letter to the editor is the best. People love to read that section and you will likely get responses to support your cause. I think you should "write it to the editor". I am sorry for all you are going through. You knew this would be tough, it is for all of us that are trying to get on disability. We are afraid we won't make our housepayments, I just applied for my retirement which means I have no retirement
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