Just venting!

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hopeful34
hopeful34 Member Posts: 1,569
edited June 2014 in Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues

Okay.....I will make this as quick as possible.  I had a bmx in May, developed an infection (MRSA) and had TE removed August 9th.  Started chemo in July and ended October 28th.  I had the same job for five years and had to quit with everything going on.  My insurance had just changed just prior to diagnosis and considered my BC pre-existing.  For this reason, I am now on medicaid.  My husband is working, but we are struggling for sure.  I need to work, but if I go back to work now, I will lose my medicaid and cannot get other insurance.  I still have three surgeries left to do.  My car broke down in July and needs a new engine, so it is still sitting at the mechanic until I can get the money.  On top of that, my husbands truck broke down last night ( he needs it to work) and I am not sure we can fix it.  And.....my husband has an infection in two of his teeth and we have no dental insurance either, so that is going to cost between 600-800 dollars to fix.  I am just wondering if I am ever gonna catch a freakin break.  Does anyone know of any grants or anything that will help cancer patients with vehicle/financial problems?  Thanks.....any input is appreciated. 

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited December 2010

    Hopeful .. I don't have any answers for you .. but I could have written your note word for word .. right down to the broken truck and dental problems.

    All I can do is send you hug and hope someone comes along with some answers.

    love,

    Bren

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  • Medigal
    Medigal Member Posts: 1,412
    edited December 2010

    Hopeful:  Your situation is what I have been writing to Washington about for months.  It's a Catch22 for you.  You might want to go to this webpage and see if you can find some answers here:

    http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/07/20100701a.html

    Once you find out if your state is in the program, you should contact them about help to pay for premiums if you need it.  The government has many programs to help people with medical bills but you have to take the time to call and find out what is available for your particular situation.  Maybe you can use the new Affordable Care Act program to help you until you can get on a plan with your new job.  Our government actually encourages people "not" to work by the way the programs are run, IMO.  This needs to be changed!  However, until it is, I think you should contact the Affordable Care Act people and give them the situation you are in and see what advice or help they can provide.  Best of luck to you!

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  • hopeful34
    hopeful34 Member Posts: 1,569
    edited December 2010

    Thank you medigal- I totally agree.  I actually need to work but if I do, then I can't get the health care I need.  I have worked since I am 13 years old, so this just makes me feel pathetic.  Anyway, I will call for sure.  Thanks again.

    Bren- Thank you for your kindness.  I will keep you in my thoughts as well.  Take Care.

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  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 28
    edited December 2010

    I am in the same boat.  I am giving my home back to the bank.  I have stage iv bone, skin mets.  Had radiation which helped the hips, not the tailbone, cant sit long enough to do my job.  I still have my insurance, however, on disability I am struggling to make the premiums, co-pays, medicines and utilities.  Had to make a choice.  Couldn't find any help financially, although I will probably move in with my ex-husband (who is a very close friend) when the bank comes to lock me out. 

    I was so upset that the choice is a place to live or medical!  Then I found out that to get into a trial, if insurance denies me, I will have to appeal, which can take months, and if I wanted to go ahead with the trial, I would have to have about $25,000 up front to cover the scans and doctor fee's.  I never in my life thought I would have to make these decisions.  I feel for you and your husband as BC was not a choice, but yet our hands are tied....  sometimes I feel like even being sick is strictly for the wealthy.

    Sincerely, I wish you the best, it is hard enough to go thru this at all, much less with all of the financial stress that comes along with it.

    Carol

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited December 2010

    Oh Nancy, that is so well put.  I'm old enough to remember HEW (US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare).  IMHO those things should be provided by gov't for the benefit of its citizens and not profit centers for the private sector.  It breaks my heart to hear stories like these.

    {{Allison}} I'm long on hugs but short on answers.  I'll send you a PM and a prayer!

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  • hopeful34
    hopeful34 Member Posts: 1,569
    edited December 2010

    Nancy- I like your your analogy of "so many of us are trying to survive here on Earth"  that's a good point.  The sad thing is the gov't almost encourages you to not work.  I have worked since I was 13 years old and have had insurance my whole adult life and turns out, just when I actually need it, they deny me.  I am thankful that I have been given Medicaid, so don't get me wrong, but not working is killing us financially and if I go back to work I no longer will have help. 

    Carol- I am so sorry to hear about your situation.  Nothing like working your whole life, just to have everything taken away.  It's hard to give up your home.  I know my husband and I have talked about living with my MIL.  I am not thrilled about the idea, but if that's what we have to do, I guess we will have to make it work. If I hear of any programs that help cancer patients with financial issues, I will forward it to you. I will pray for you. 

    Badger- Thanks for all the info.  I really appreciate it. 

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited December 2010

    Don't get me started on how F-ed up health insurance is in this country. I am not positive but I think part of Obama's health insurance laws that just passed is that if your company offers health insurance they can't claim pre-existing condition as long as you have has some kind of health coverage. I'm not sure if Medicade counts though.

    Best place to get information on this is the American Cancer Society.

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