Remember how we were so excited about Annabelle's wheelchair and stander that were on order but that we were trying not to get our hopes up?
Yeah.
Turns out, the equipment isn't covered by our insurance (notice me restraining myself from swearing . . .).
The very idea that ANY insurance policy in America can deny a wheelchair to little girl who can't walk is ABSURD.
Apparently, mobility is a luxury.
So, we met with the folks from Early Start this morning and brainstormed some ideas. My big project next week is to squeeze as much charitable blood out of every government turnip in San Diego. There's California Children's Services, SSI, Medi-cal, Healthy Families, heck - while I am at it I will apply for WIC as well! (Have I mentioned that we have applied and been turned down for all these programs, except WIC, already?)
I am not the type who wants to "work the system". My approach is to take only as much assistance as we absolutely need and then leave the rest for others BUT DANG-GONNIT HOW IS IT THAT ANNIE'S WHEELCHAIR IS NOT COVERED!!!!!?????? I suppose she should just sit in the corner like a potted plant and be grateful that she has a place to sit . . . (sorry, see me resisting swearing?).
We have had people offer to help raise money to purchase the equipment outright (and the offer is much appreciated) but that's not how this is supposed to work - we should not have to rely on friends and relatives for something like a WHEELCHAIR AND STANDER.
So I will spend all next week wrapping my head in red tape and banging it against government bureaucracies.
I am losing my patience with all this so here is a public service announcement: Stay outta arm's reach - I am looking for someone to choke . . .
11 comments:
I fully understand your confusion with our system. I help take care of a lady at her home with MS, she has an electric scooter, that she has to be placed into every morning and put back in bed every night. Home health will not provide her services becasue "she is not homebound". Excuse me just because she has an electic scooter in her home does not mean she can hop on it and drive 15 miles down a dirt country road to get her medicines. Its crazy. I hope you figure something out. We do fundraisers for famlies in need but we also live in a town of about 10,000 up in rural oregon. Good Luck my friend.
that's just screwed up. I'd go to the media or to a government official and go public. not my style, usually, but crap.
Yes, the system is very messed up.... You always have to challenge the NO's. If you don't they won't give in. Most of the time here if we get rejected we can call and ask for a fair hearing. When I do that, the person says, "Hummmm, let me see where that file was." The next sentence is usually, "Wow, -THAT- didn't get approved?? Lets see what I can do for you."
You need to call and ask for the fair hearing.
Michelle & girls
Been there, done that...it's crazy how messed up our system is!!
i am terribly sorry to hear about this. insurances suck! i hope you are able to find some success this week. there is a web page that helps people with volunteering and raising money for charities, big or small. it's www.crowdrise.com. you might find it useful.
That is unreal! What is their justification for not covering a wheelchair and stander for a little girl that cannot walk???
Melissa3075
Try contacting local clubs such as Shriner's, Lion's, etc. If that fails you should contact the parent resource center out of Cal State Northridge, they may be able to assist you with more resources.
Hope this helps!
Also, you should be a client of the Regional Center, they supposedly have tons of resources...
That sucks. These companies are so concerned with money, they deny the people who need them the most. We are in a battle ourselves, our ins. company just pulled the plug on caths...
If you have a Shriner's anywhere near you, they will cover what your ins. will not. We go out of state to a Shriners; it's where we got Emily's corrective foot brace, afo's, hip brace because our ins. doesn't cover any orthotics. Bigger equipment (like the stander) we have on loan from a "loaner closet"...not ideal, but maybe possible while you FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT the ins. company. Good luck!
No stinking way. I am sorry, Matt. Go to the mattresses!
UN.BELIEVABLE. Please keep us informed. Go get 'em.
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