Re: Another Update I can relate

[Guest guest]

when I forst began to have symptoms, the docs were not really helping much, as I

had no insurance, well I had insurance but it was a useless type- to cover the

technical requirement that I had insurance, it covered NOTHING. SO the docs did

not really pay much attention to my complaints, to the point of bordering on

negligence. To the point I called the hospital ombudsmen and had ER charges

wiped clean- I did not pay.

So I got sicker and sicker and barely finished school and had to stop working (I

was a nurses aide at the county home) with 3 kids - 2 disabled, and a disabled

husband, I could also not afford to cobra our insurance. By then I suspected I

had RA- but the only rheumy near us refused to see me withuout insurance. I got

sicker and sicker, I applied for soc sec disability- and got it. We could not

get Medicaide cuz our income was approx $20 too high for the year- we were also

waiting on veterans benefits for my husband. Finally my Medicare kicked in, but

still I could not afford the meds. So- I continued to get more and more ill,

and the damage progressed more and more. Finally my husbands benefits kicked in

100% service connected and with that came ChampVA coverage for me and the kids.

FINALLY I had help for meds and labwork.

I went back to the rheumy who looked at me all wide eyed and said " I would have

helped you " - easy for him to say that now- his office would not even let me make

an appt.

I truly do not understand why when you get soc sec disability- why does it take

2 years to get the Medicare? I also do not understand why if you are on it why

aren't the kids also covereed? In many cases the kids do get Medicaide, but, as

I said we were $20 over the income limit for the year. 2 of my kids are

" uninsurable " and it is " medical neglect " to not provide them with treatment

etc.

I also think it is inexcuseable to hold back medical coverage for 2 years.

Maybe, had I been able to get treatment sooner, maybe I would have been able to

continue to work, and I would not need soc sec disability and maybe my kids

would not have needed to bother with ChampVA coverage- cuz I might still be

working and doing fine financially.

- In , aclavern33@a... wrote:

> My rheummy's nurse finally called me back after I left a message almost a

> week ago that I was off all meds due to lack of finances to pay for them. She

> referred me to some company that specializes in IV and injectable meds. They

> were totally useless. They asked me for my insurance info...which there is

> none...then asked if I was cash pay patient. LOL I just laughed and told the

> lady if I could afford to pay cash we would not be having this conversation.

She

> suggested calling the Enbrel company.

>

> I contacted Enbrel and found out they have co-pay assistance as well as

> patient assistance for those with no drug coverage. The co-pay assistance

really

> pisses me off, because I asked about this a year ago when I was really

> struggling with huge co-pays for the enbrel. Now I finally had to drop my

insurance

> and they have assistance. Well they are suppose to be sending me an

> application in the mail, which I have to fill out and have notorized.

Hmm....wonder

> what info they want that needs to be notorized?

>

> My rheummy's nurse also called left me a message stating that they now have

> plenty of Bextra samples for me to have since its expensive. Hmm..funny when

I

> didn't even have two nickels to rub together and asked for 7 days samples

> until I got paid so I could stay on my meds...I basicly got blown off by my

> stupid doctor. Now Mr. Stupid is being so helpful. I learned a lesson...skip

a

> few days periodicly so you always have at least anywhere from a week to a

month

> of meds saved up just incase you run out of money.

>

> I really need a new doc and if here was another one in my area I would jump

> to go see him.

>

> I was told there is no assistance for MTX injectable, which really does not

> bother me because I refuse to take it. Its not very expensive, but there is

> still a shortage and the stuff makes me really sick anyway. I told my doc

find

> another med because I AM NOT taking MTX ever again. The expensive part of the

> MTX therapy is all the frequent labwork plus the need for folic acid and

> leucovorin. The leucovorin is expensive for 4 pills a month!!!!!!

>

> So basicly I have gotten no where, other than to get more disgusted and sick

> of the whole mess. At least I will get a some Bextra samples to take in the

> meantime. I figure if I only take it if something hurts then it should last a

> pretty long time. I have a very busy weekend coming up and I will be moving

> none stop the whole time. Now I just need to find time to drive 30 mins two

> the rheummy and get there before they go home at 12 noon on friday. I will

also

> ask for copies of my lab results. Maybe you guys here can help me review

> them and see if I really need all these meds to begin with!

>

> Toni

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

when I forst began to have symptoms, the docs were not really helping much, as I

had no insurance, well I had insurance but it was a useless type- to cover the

technical requirement that I had insurance, it covered NOTHING. SO the docs did

not really pay much attention to my complaints, to the point of bordering on

negligence. To the point I called the hospital ombudsmen and had ER charges

wiped clean- I did not pay.

So I got sicker and sicker and barely finished school and had to stop working (I

was a nurses aide at the county home) with 3 kids - 2 disabled, and a disabled

husband, I could also not afford to cobra our insurance. By then I suspected I

had RA- but the only rheumy near us refused to see me withuout insurance. I got

sicker and sicker, I applied for soc sec disability- and got it. We could not

get Medicaide cuz our income was approx $20 too high for the year- we were also

waiting on veterans benefits for my husband. Finally my Medicare kicked in, but

still I could not afford the meds. So- I continued to get more and more ill,

and the damage progressed more and more. Finally my husbands benefits kicked in

100% service connected and with that came ChampVA coverage for me and the kids.

FINALLY I had help for meds and labwork.

I went back to the rheumy who looked at me all wide eyed and said " I would have

helped you " - easy for him to say that now- his office would not even let me make

an appt.

I truly do not understand why when you get soc sec disability- why does it take

2 years to get the Medicare? I also do not understand why if you are on it why

aren't the kids also covereed? In many cases the kids do get Medicaide, but, as

I said we were $20 over the income limit for the year. 2 of my kids are

" uninsurable " and it is " medical neglect " to not provide them with treatment

etc.

I also think it is inexcuseable to hold back medical coverage for 2 years.

Maybe, had I been able to get treatment sooner, maybe I would have been able to

continue to work, and I would not need soc sec disability and maybe my kids

would not have needed to bother with ChampVA coverage- cuz I might still be

working and doing fine financially.

- In , aclavern33@a... wrote:

> My rheummy's nurse finally called me back after I left a message almost a

> week ago that I was off all meds due to lack of finances to pay for them. She

> referred me to some company that specializes in IV and injectable meds. They

> were totally useless. They asked me for my insurance info...which there is

> none...then asked if I was cash pay patient. LOL I just laughed and told the

> lady if I could afford to pay cash we would not be having this conversation.

She

> suggested calling the Enbrel company.

>

> I contacted Enbrel and found out they have co-pay assistance as well as

> patient assistance for those with no drug coverage. The co-pay assistance

really

> pisses me off, because I asked about this a year ago when I was really

> struggling with huge co-pays for the enbrel. Now I finally had to drop my

insurance

> and they have assistance. Well they are suppose to be sending me an

> application in the mail, which I have to fill out and have notorized.

Hmm....wonder

> what info they want that needs to be notorized?

>

> My rheummy's nurse also called left me a message stating that they now have

> plenty of Bextra samples for me to have since its expensive. Hmm..funny when

I

> didn't even have two nickels to rub together and asked for 7 days samples

> until I got paid so I could stay on my meds...I basicly got blown off by my

> stupid doctor. Now Mr. Stupid is being so helpful. I learned a lesson...skip

a

> few days periodicly so you always have at least anywhere from a week to a

month

> of meds saved up just incase you run out of money.

>

> I really need a new doc and if here was another one in my area I would jump

> to go see him.

>

> I was told there is no assistance for MTX injectable, which really does not

> bother me because I refuse to take it. Its not very expensive, but there is

> still a shortage and the stuff makes me really sick anyway. I told my doc

find

> another med because I AM NOT taking MTX ever again. The expensive part of the

> MTX therapy is all the frequent labwork plus the need for folic acid and

> leucovorin. The leucovorin is expensive for 4 pills a month!!!!!!

>

> So basicly I have gotten no where, other than to get more disgusted and sick

> of the whole mess. At least I will get a some Bextra samples to take in the

> meantime. I figure if I only take it if something hurts then it should last a

> pretty long time. I have a very busy weekend coming up and I will be moving

> none stop the whole time. Now I just need to find time to drive 30 mins two

> the rheummy and get there before they go home at 12 noon on friday. I will

also

> ask for copies of my lab results. Maybe you guys here can help me review

> them and see if I really need all these meds to begin with!

>

> Toni

>

>

>