Mediciad

I am sorry to hear about your job. I have been there before, but mine didn't happen that way. I now am on disability and it was worth it. My body is finally healing from all the abuse I did to it trying to work. I almost put myself in a early grave. I have less pain now because I can rest when I need to. I have a very simple boring life, but I feel better. I guess that is what counts. I know some people that need disability are in a hard spot because they can't be without some kind of finances. I feel for them. I was lucky I had long term insurance that backed me up. I hope things work out for you. Take a day at a time and take some deep breathes.

Stacy,

Boy, that's the truth.  What a system.  That's why the system needs to change!!  It's broken.

I'm sorry you're going through all this.  Afraid I don't have any advice, just sympathy.

Debbie

Stacy, I hope you didn't resign.  If you did, you can't get unemployment and that's what they wanted.  That's why they asked you to come in and resign.  If you let them fire you, you can get unemployment benefits (they have to pay towards that) and right now that's about two year's worth.  Also, you can apply for COBRA.  It continues the health insurance you had with your company but you do have to pay for it and it isn't cheap but you will have the unemployment money to fall back on.

 

This will buy you time to apply for SSI insurance through Social Security.  If you are older, you can even start drawing on your social security (social security disability) but at a reduced rate.  I had to do that when my husband died suddenly.  I was 50 and so I applied to social security and got the disability in a matter of months.  I am drawing on my husband's SS since I was a teacher and never paid into it.  I have the reduced benefit but I also have Medicare.

 

Now, I don't know where everyone else lives, but I have magnificent doctors...all of them...and they all take Medicare.  Medicaid is different, I think, because they barely get paid anything!  I know when my Mom was in a nursing home, they had only two Medicaid beds because they weren't given enough money from Medicaid to pay for what they did for the patients.  So, try to stay off Medicaid if you can.  I don't know a lot about it but I do have Medicare and it works great for me.

 

When my husband died, I couldn't find anyone who would give me health insurance because I had so many chronic illnesses so this was a Godsend to me.  So check into all of this.  I know it's a pain but it could be well worth it.

 

Sherrine

Mylifewithfibro,
This is my first post on the site. I am in the process of being diagnosed at this time. As I was researching any and everything I needed to learn about this disorder, I came across your post. I just wanted to share with you and any others having issues with getting Doctors to accept Medicaid another option. In every major city in the United States and many smaller ones as well, there are State run offices called - The Department of Rehabilitation Services; or The Division of Rehabilitation Services; or The Division of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. You can walk into their offices and/or call and ask to speak to a counselor. First, for those who are still working, if your insurance situation is not covering you; they will, if they can document the diagnosis get you the medical attention you need. They will pay for it. Their goal is to assist you to keep you working, if that is possible (because think about it, it is cheaper for the State to pay for your medical care, to arrange job modifications for you, train you for a new position if you can no longer perform your old job duties, and modify your work or home environment if need be just to keep you from drawing SSDI or SSI). If you are already on Medicaid, but no longer employed they will assist you with getting the Doctors that will accept those fees and all those other things I mentioned to get you back to work. If the Doctors determine you cannot work, they will help refer you to other agencies such as: Adult Protective Services, or Indigent care. Both of these agencies are also available in every state. In is important to realize Adult Protective Services's mission is nothing like Child Protective Services; Instead, their mission is to assist adults who for whatever reason (i.e. disability, most often) are not able to provide for their own needs. Furthermore, Indigent care is for people without insurance that need medical care and cannot afford it, it is funded by the State and if you already have your diagnosis, they will assist you with getting medications, follow-up care, etc. I know these agencies do all of the things I mentioned here because I used to work for one of them. And, I know they are available in every state because I have referred many people (family and friends) to those agencies in the states they live in. I am a military brat and literally have friends all over the country, this information has not failed anyone I've told yet.
I also saw someone else on this site, I think it was one of the moderators, that listed a very debilitating eye disease, all states also have the Division for Blind Services. You do not have to be blind; however, if you have an eye disease that will eventually cause you to loose your site, they can help you - they will pay - if you cannot afford. If you do not have insurance, they will pay in full, if you do have insurance they will share the costs with your insurance carrier. They have some amazing programs. When my brother was 36, he was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes of a 100 year old man. He did not have insurance. He had worked his entire life as a finish carpenter as a private contractor. He was not able to see well enough to do his job. The Division for Blind Services paid for his complete surgery so that he could return to work if it was successful. In his case, it was successful and he is working today; in fact, they check on him every six to twelve months to make sure he is still doing OK and send him for regular check-ups.

Lastly, I sure appreciate all the information on this site. It has helped me tremendously since my odyssey began. I should get my diagnosis at my next appointment, the rheumatologist already told me she is 95% sure that is what is going on, she just wanted to do a couple more blood test to look at my thyroid (it was normal 3 months ago), check my liver and for anemia. As long as those come back OK, my final diagnosis will be complicated chronic migraines, sleep apnea, and fibromyalgia.

Thanks again! TLCS

My Mantra
T - Treating
L - Learning
C - Coping
S - Surviving

Sherrine,

Thanks for the Welcome! I am going to print out and read Fibro 101 so that I can highlight or write questions for my doctor on. I am making a note book on my computer that I can save all my research and my daily fibro diary for my doctor. I am sure I will be back asking more questions or sharing some of the information I learned from my work experience. Again thanks! TLCS

My Mantra!

T - Treating
L - Learning
C - Coping
S - Surviving