Only Having Medicare @ Stage 4

anotherday2015 · January 2015

I cannot get by on what I get for disability, my only source of income, and fall through the holes for help from most organizations.

Been strangled by medical bills since I was 21; my parents paid them before then.

I have 6 mos. to 3 yrs. tops, a DNR and strict Living Will. I do not want any heroics, just let me go. I am only 54, but my life ended when I was 46 and not allowed to work, in order to get treatment.

I pay for Medicare, I pay for a MAP, I pay for many co-pays. I paid $200+ for orthopedic shoes from student loan money.

It's all done now. Is anyone flying solo on just Medicare? Do you get good doctors? Are there places the doctors are more willing to take Medicare than others?

Good idea or not?

DoggieBytes · January 2015

You are on Medicare at 54 not Medicaid? My parents are elderly and on Medicare and for the most part had no trouble finding Doctors.

That will make a difference I think.

I've not experienced what you are coping with, there are no charities that can help? I see you wrote you fall through the holes though. Perhaps some other members from Florida can help with directing you to charitable organizations. If you can try to work with a public (not private) hospital as they do get funding to help with cases like yours. Most hospitals have a social worker of financial advisor that can also help you with finding financial help.

I wish there was more I could do to help you. I am very, very saddened by your situation, it's not right and know that I am trying to work with others to bring about change.

anotherday2015 · January 2015

I am 'too rich' for Medicare.

My first Master's was in Public Administration. The first thing we were taught is how our forefathers set up our legal system not to work. They managed to do a good job. My focus was on non-profit organization management, so I really know how to shake the trees.

I am getting a little help now. I can try to get a local hospital to take me under Hill-Burton (charity care).

In my experience in DE and PA, the social workers are stretched too thin and do not stay with you long enough. Up where I had treament, they didn't know some of the basics and led support groups rather unprofessionally.

My cancer came on the heels of what my ex made a bad split, a job loss, and then he went out and wrecked out credit while I was in another state watching my dad's caretakers, catching the mistakes, and then handling his funeral.

I need to stop relocating. Can't handle the cold, nor the heat and humidity. The latter makes me ill. earlier disabilities just get worse

Roommates do not work, especially with someone under 40. Residing in a bad area, full of crime, is not the answer, either. I just want a little place of my own, with a patch of yard for my dog and to garden.

All the money raised and spent in other areas, except things like transitional housing to help women while they get on their feet.

There is almost no housing for the Disabled. I'm trying to kill time until next December 2015, when I turn 55 and qualify for senior, low-income housing.

DoggieBytes · January 2015

o.k. Your title has me a bit confused because on Medicare it is my understanding that generally you have to be 65 or on social security disability. I thought if you were on social security disability after a certain amount of time then you could get on Medicare at an earlier age?

My parents were retired in Florida and on Medicare for many years and did not have any problems finding Dr.s. Florida has a lot of Drs who deal with geriatrics and complicated disease because of the elderly population. So it actually may be a good state for you to reside in.

We have to get together as a country to fix these problems. We spend so much time and energy and money blocking people who we think aren't "worthy" of healthcare when the vast majority are like you. People who have worked, tried to live a good life and through no fault or your own face serious health problems.

This country suffers from an almost pathological lack of humility.

I read your post and think "There but for the grace of God go I".

Let's be frank here. We should be angry that your suffering is being worsened at a time you are facing end of life. What kind of people are we who would not only allow this but seek to make it worse and increase the suffering exponentially.

The fact that many people like you are in this situation sickens me to my core.

Tax payers in my state are being forced to fund the building of a huge new baseball stadium, including the infrastructure to support it. A stadium for a very wealthy privately owned ball team. Our newly re-elected Gov. Shunted off over a million dollars to his daughter in law's campaign P.R. Company.

The list goes on and yet we turn a blind eye to the suffering of people like you. Rationalize and justify treating fellow citizens like you this way by placing all the blame on those suffering the most.

Shame on us. I think it's time to be blunt about what we are doing .....and not doing.

umsami · March 2015

Hi anotherday:

I'm sorry things are so tough right now. It looks like you may be on the Gulf Coast, have you tried contacting the Social Workers at Moffitt to see if they can help?

I'm on the Gulf Coast too, a bit further South. One option might be to apply to house sit some of the seasonal properties when people go home. Check and see which real estate agents in your area deal with seasonal and then approach them. They might like a more mature house sitter.

I'd also suggest contacting all the faith groups/charities like Catholic Charities, the LDS church in your area, etc. If there are any mega churches near by, contact them. Never know who may know of something to help. Nearly all will help people of other faiths too.

Medicare is very well accepted in FL...heck with so many snowbirds it has to be. Medicaid, it really depends on where you are, but don't give up.

anotherday2015 · March 2015

Hi, thanks for responding.

I hae spent much of the past two days getting together documents for a small claims motion against the woman I house sat for a few months last year. There will be more time spent. I'm tired. I don't feel good. I am inundated with forms for eery little thing, plus the phone calls, trying to access medical care, not to mention the bill collectors. I can't keep up and can't get any help. I don't hae a car, a DUI totaled mine. I can't walk far, especially in heat/humidity, and the buses do not run well. If you are on the north side of the Manatee Rier, you can't get Para transit to Sarasota County for specialized care. Or, you can take three of the regular buses for 2-3 hours to get to the other side of the county/rier.

Been trying to get a power wheelchair for months. Request just went to the insurance company. Ended up taking another MAP for this year because of the chair. Medicare would be much more difficult, and pays less. As soon as I had more insurance, eerything becomes a co-pay. I can't afford the counseling I desperetly need. Or to treat lymphedema in my arm properly before it becomes 'frozen shoulder'. I need a root canal and three crowns. That tooth is going. Dad was a dentist. Don't hae the money. Wait til I need to hae it pulled.

If you house sit, do a good background check on the owners and hae the agreement reiewed by a lawyer.

I hae spent the last three years in one bad housing situation after another, found on Craigslist. I can't pay rent for something quiet, small and decent on Disability. And that does not include when the medical bills go through the roof. I already gae away or sold so many things that were important to me. I am trying to hang on to whateer shread of my old life and nice things before I die in < 2 yrs. Remember the George Carlin routine, "I want my stuff?" I'm tired of subsidizing others' lifestyles, especially cable bills. I want an equal say in the decor of the common areas. I want equal space in the kitchen, bathroom, etc. as well. I'm paying rent. This is my home, too.

Need to find a place for me and my dog to call home when I return up to PA on 4/15. All of what I hae left is in storage.

I'm tired of all the BS. If this is what my QOL will be for the time I hae left, I'm checking out now.

Spookiesmom · March 2015

try Pinellas, more resources. Too bad Rick Scott got re elected!

Only Having Medicare @ Stage 4

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