Read or don't read this blog post but this information needs to be documented!
I am among the 17 million Americans who check the self employed box on their tax returns. I am also among the 44 million Americans who have no health insurance. In October 2013, I began the embarrassing yet necessary task of aquiring medicaid. This process has been a complete nightmare and as of today, I am still uninsured.
October 31, 2013 - I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
November 2013 - Just a couple days after my diagnosis, a representative from Cancer Services of Onondaga County, came to my house with a packet of information. Lisa helped me fill out the necessary paperwork so that their organization could cover my initial tests and biopsy. She then told me that I would need to go down to our local Social Services center and apply for medicaid.
December 2013 - As directed, and less than 30 days after meeting with Lisa, I went to the Onondaga County Social Services department and waited with my application, for over 4 hours, until eventually called in to see a social worker. She reviewed my paperwork and then proceeded to set up my follow up appointments, including a jobs assessment program. I let her know that on December 9th I would be having a double mastectomy and may not be able to come in and sit through a jobs assessment program. She rudely looked at me to say - and I quote "There is no reason that people with breast cancer can't work!" Although I tried to explain that I was only needing to recover from surgery, she told me that if she didn't make the appointment then I would not qualify for benefits. She made the appointment for 3 days after my surgery.
Right or wrong, I snapped a few photos during my visit.
I am among the 17 million Americans who check the self employed box on their tax returns. I am also among the 44 million Americans who have no health insurance. In October 2013, I began the embarrassing yet necessary task of aquiring medicaid. This process has been a complete nightmare and as of today, I am still uninsured.
October 31, 2013 - I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
November 2013 - Just a couple days after my diagnosis, a representative from Cancer Services of Onondaga County, came to my house with a packet of information. Lisa helped me fill out the necessary paperwork so that their organization could cover my initial tests and biopsy. She then told me that I would need to go down to our local Social Services center and apply for medicaid.
December 2013 - As directed, and less than 30 days after meeting with Lisa, I went to the Onondaga County Social Services department and waited with my application, for over 4 hours, until eventually called in to see a social worker. She reviewed my paperwork and then proceeded to set up my follow up appointments, including a jobs assessment program. I let her know that on December 9th I would be having a double mastectomy and may not be able to come in and sit through a jobs assessment program. She rudely looked at me to say - and I quote "There is no reason that people with breast cancer can't work!" Although I tried to explain that I was only needing to recover from surgery, she told me that if she didn't make the appointment then I would not qualify for benefits. She made the appointment for 3 days after my surgery.
Right or wrong, I snapped a few photos during my visit.
 Can't even imagine how dirty these floors are  Wonder if my file will be thrown on the floor like these |  I don't mind standing in line for 4 hours  Interesting organizational skills |
December 2013 - I called to reschedule my appointments at social services. They mailed letters confirming the rescheduled dates, for one week out.
Again, unable to make these appointments with drain tubes hanging out of both sides of my body, amongst other medical recovery issues from the surgery, my application was denied. As I called to explain, I was told that there is nothing that can be done. And let's not forget that when calling the Social Services department, expect to be on hold for a minimum of 30 minutes, before actually reaching someone... and this is after pushing several different extensions to try and reach a human voice.
Again, unable to make these appointments with drain tubes hanging out of both sides of my body, amongst other medical recovery issues from the surgery, my application was denied. As I called to explain, I was told that there is nothing that can be done. And let's not forget that when calling the Social Services department, expect to be on hold for a minimum of 30 minutes, before actually reaching someone... and this is after pushing several different extensions to try and reach a human voice.
January 2014 - Strangely, I received mailed correspondence from medicaid that says I have insurance in early January. I thought a miracle happened, so I went with it. By the end of January, I received another letter from medicaid that says it will soon be cancelled.
February 2014 - A friend sent me the name of a representative at ARISE, which is an organization dedicated to helping the disabled. I met with Dave Smith. A nice enough person, but was no help what-so-ever. He said he would talk with some people at the medicaid office and straighten this out. A week after meeting with him, he called to let me know that I had insurance and everything should be all set. This was not the case. At my next chemo appointment, they brought me in to ask me to call our local medicaid department because it shows in their system that I am not insured. When I called Dave to ask him about this, he then gave me a phone number to call, of which, got me no where.
March 2014 - I called the 1-800 number that was given to me by the secretary at my chemo treatment center. I spent 22 minutes on hold until finally reaching someone. We began the online application process and after a 32 minute phone call, the call was unexpectedly disconnected. I could hear her but she kept claiming that she could not hear me. Her final words were "If you can not answer me, I will have to end this call."
I called back...again, waiting on hold for another 20 minutes. When reaching a representative, I asked her if she could take my number down or if I could get her direct extension in case we get disconnected and she said that policy does not allow her to do that. She stated: "let's talk fast." Before the call ended, she directed me to set up my account online and pick a health insurance plan.
I called back...again, waiting on hold for another 20 minutes. When reaching a representative, I asked her if she could take my number down or if I could get her direct extension in case we get disconnected and she said that policy does not allow her to do that. She stated: "let's talk fast." Before the call ended, she directed me to set up my account online and pick a health insurance plan.
April 2014 - I have tried every single day since March 25, to complete my online application, as directed. After including all necessary information for this online application and clicking the submit button, I get the message that the website is too busy and try back later! A letter I received in the mail, states that if I do not complete this application process by April 8, 2014 (tomorrow) then I will be denied coverage.
There are other concerns, like the $400 that I paid out-of-pocket for a wig. I was told that I would get reimbursed for that expense but the receipt is nearing 3 months old and at that point, insurance will not cover it. I could have bought a lot of groceries with that $400.
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