posted
Well I got my picc line in and home health care is coming today to change the dressing and go over a time to come Monday to show me how to do all this. Then I get the antibiotic delivered to me tommorrow so that it will be all ready Monday. The costs for the home health and the medicine is going to break me. Especially if the picc line surgery isn't billed first. Either way I haven't yet met my deductible for the year and I'm going to get billed a big chunk for both the meds and the home health. I just don't know what I'm going to do. Beside those I'm already buried under medical debt from the last two years. I'm trying to work and raise a son, and put up with this disease and I see no way I can do it! I'm just about ready to give up and try to get disability and medicaid but I don't want to do that. I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm trying to just trust in God, but it's hard. What kind of life am I going to have?
Posts: 21 | From Indiana | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
I have to ask... Why are you fighting against disability and medicaid? Not making any judgements here, really! Just asking. Is there a way you can go on FMLA at work?
-------------------- J Posts: 91 | From Northwest Indiana | Registered: Dec 2004
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I don't know. I guess since I'm just 45 I don't want to give in. What does FMLA stand for like a leave of absence or something? If I quit work and try to get disability, how am I going to afford my treatments and doctor's visit. I guess I just can't even think straight right now. Then home health told me that the earliest they could come on Monday may be around 7 in the morning where they will administer the ab's and show me how to do it. But then I can't turn around the next day and start at like 5 in the morning because it has to be admnistered at the same times each day. Which means I'd have to go into work late for 3 months. Not sure how that's going to work out.
Posts: 21 | From Indiana | Registered: Mar 2011
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I meant to say how am I going to afford the meds and treatment in the period before I get approved for disability and medicaid if I quit work.
Posts: 21 | From Indiana | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
I don't know what kind of job you have part time full time ...but... MOST places will let you take a leave of absence, put you on short term disability (and if you have something along the lines of aflack you would have extra money coming in, I was stupid and had cancelled mine a month before I got real sick, but anyway...) but FMLA is Family Medical Leave Act where they can't fire you and have to hold your job for you.
While you are on the short term disability is when you start filing the paper work for the medicaid and long term disability. Since you would have a smaller amount of money coming in you could possibly qualify for food stamps or extra help for meds. Most employers pay 60-80% of what you currently make.
I am not sure where you live or of your income, none of my business! However, since you are a sick single parent that has home health coming in are there any other programs available to you to see what all your options are?
Like Lymetoo asked, had you already tried the oral route?
-------------------- J Posts: 91 | From Northwest Indiana | Registered: Dec 2004
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Just a note, FMLA protects A job at your place of employment, not necessarily the same one you have now. I think they have to bring you back at the same pay grade, though.
-------------------- ------------ It took 20 years to find out I'm not crazy. New bite in 2010 pushed my body over the edge. Positive for lyme, babs, bart, and myco. I am not a doctor and happily offer only my own opinions. Posts: 357 | From The Beach | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
I'm classified as "permanent part-time" and I'll have to reread the policy manual but I don't think part time people get the leave of absense benefit or short-term disability.
Posts: 21 | From Indiana | Registered: Mar 2011
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Indy, are you supposed to take your IV antibiotics once or twice daily? If it is once daily, learn from the nurse on monday morning then wait to infuse your next antibiotic on tuesday in the evening. Yes tuesday's dose will be a 8hrs or so late but this will get you onto a schedule that you can keep for now on.
I don't know what you do for a living but it sounds like you should try to continue working for as long as you can. If you are already stressed about medical bills it will only get worse if you stop working and have no income. I would venture to say that many of us have been in your situation.
Arrange your work schedule in a way that is least stressful for you. Since you are already part-time can you work every other day? Or half days? Get some extra rest whenever you can.
The goal with the IV antibiotics is that you'll stop the progression of this disease and you'll feel better. Hopefully you will not need to consider temporary leave. Go ahead and ask your HR if you qualify for FMLA. It can help you hold your job if you need extra days off here and there or if you need to take a couple weeks off in a row. Wait to use this until you really need it.
Applying for Social Security Disability is not a fast easy fix. You have to prove that you are unable to work (any job) now and will not be getting better any time soon. It can take several months to years before you are finally approved.
When it comes time to pay for your medical bills, ask to make small monthly payments, whatever you can afford if you can afford it. Ask if they have any financial hardship assistance. You may qualify and your bill may be reduced.
When you are sick it is overwhelming to have to think about finances, insurance, work, etc... Do what you can to relax and de-stress everyday. Do something that makes you happy, hug your son, play a video game with him, enjoy a good dinner together, whatever it takes.
Hang in there Indy, you're on the road to recovery.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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