Re: Fund Raising, Insurance, Disability Budget

[Guest guest]

Donna,

It is exciting to see interest in fundraising. The American Cancer Society

does a Jail-a-thon fundraiser, too. It is kind of risky because the person

arrested does not have a clue and is usually taken from work. Of course, the

person

requesting the arrest takes responsibility for fall out.

I will get to work on collecting a cost itemization of items necessary for

the treatment and care of Pancreatitis. I will contact the hospital billing

department for input. There is a high uninsured patient population due to

multiple

reasons, most out of our control. It takes tremendous coordination to

maintain continuity of health care coverage from diagnosis through the

advancement of

the disease. Many may acquire Medicare A coverage when they are awarded

disability. Not everyone is eligible for Medicare B. Though, there are a

significant number who do have coverage, unless they have supplemental coverage,

the

high deductible, co-pays, and other out of pocket expenses, most budgets simply

cannot afford these additional costs.

Disability income is only a percentage of the previous earnings. The kicker

is that disability places most of us in that middle of the (pothole) in the

road. We make too much to qualify for state or federal assistance, yet not

enough

to meet our expenses. And, that is taking into account that we have already

relinquished our home for an efficiency apartment, forfeited our regular hair

and nail appointments for routine doctors appointments, and no longer shop at a

grocery store for our food, but a drugstore for our nutritional supplements.

This would be a good time to let you know about the National Invisible

Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 22-28, 2003. It is a designated time,

worldwide, in which people who live with chronic illness, those that love them,

and organizations are encouraged to educate the general public, churches,

healthcare professionals and government officials about the affects of living

with a

disease that is not visually apparent. The PAI will be joining the

International Planning Committee.

Karyn E. , RN

Exec. Director, PAI

Indianapolis, IN

The PAI serves as a means of support, information, and advocacy. The PAI

cannot offer medical advice or direction nor substitute for your health care

provider.