vent -UPDATED 2/8/06- UPDATED AGAIN! 2/9/06 AT BOTTOM

i just have to vent about insurance ... i have been soo upset over this.

both dh and i do not have insurance. i left my job (stupid, i know) and have just been waitressing and even though dh is in the air force, he has yet to receive the benefits.

anyway, i applied for medicaid. the first time, i was denied saying we make TOO MUCH MONEY!!! seriously, we barely get by. anyway, i applied AGAIN, and it went through, but only for like 50% coverage (I still don't understand it all). SO i asked my doc and she's like "No, everything is covered, even delivery".

so today, i get my medicaid card, and think everythings good. but also in the mail was another packet from social services ... when i opened it, it again said "DENIED". I was in tears b/c there's no way we're going to be able to pay for this!

i do have a part time job now, at a school, but obviously, they won't give me insurance. dh has begged for his and they wo'nt help him out.

i am just soo sick of the insurance scams and how willingly they give it away to everyone else, especially those who don't even have social security cards, and i'm getting screwed, i mean, sometimes people just need a little help. i don't understand!

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I called the social worker at my clinic to try to get some answers and of course no one called me back. So, I had an appt this morning for my monthly prenatal checkup. The girl at the front desk asked for my card, she ran it and it came up DENIED. I showed her the paper work, explained I tried to call someone to find out whats going on and all she told me was "No coverage, no appt" and wouldn't even let me in to talk to someone!!!!!

I was sooo upset I ran right over to Social Services, where, I don't think I even need to explain what a rat hole it is and what a rat hole the class of people are over there, where I sat for over an hour before I got any kind of answer.

They said my DH and I make too much $$. The total they have was over by $776 for PCAP and $2500 for medicaid. BUT they never worked in my step son but aren't sure they can since he doesn't live with us permanently. Then I told them I don't work anymore, so there's where the $$ should be. She said she would reconfigure the #'s and get back to me. I explained there was a slight problem w/ the baby and that I needed to have regular visits AND sonograms per the doctor so I need to know ASAP. I'm just going to keep stalking her until I get an answer.

I can't even explain the problems and stress I have felt b/c of all this. I mean, come on, people who need help for a few months can't get it!!! I'm soo fed up w/ the govt!!!

Please send good thoughts our way so that this coverage goes thru.

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I followed up w/ Social Services this morning and they denied us, yet again, b/c we are over their salary cap by $206!!! I don't work, it's just my husband and we all know the gov't/Air Force doesn't pay well.

This leaves me nowhere! I thought my only option would be to go to an ER, but one of my friends just did that, she is a single mother to be, no insurance, and was having very bad cramps so she went. They treated her but sent her a bill for $12000! I thought when the time comes I can go to an ER to deliver but my bill would probably be double that!

If you have any suggestions I woudl be more than happy to hear them. I just don't know where to turn anymore.

Message edited 2/9/2006 4:38:48 PM.

Re: vent

I know this might not help, BUt I think Starbucks gives benefits to part time employees. Also hospitals have pretty good benefits. My friend worked in a lab and got benefits part time. Apply for healthyNY.
Healthy NY

Re: vent

How long has your DH been active duty? He should be getting covered, I think it's called Champus or something like that. You should be able to go to the clinic on base for all your checkups, etc.

Re: vent

Re: vent

Why is your husband not getting insurance? My husband is in the Air Force and everything except dental for dependants is covered......



Nevermind you answered my question, lol.

Message edited 2/1/2006 5:01:36 PM.

Re: vent

Re: vent

Re: vent

Starbucks, Home Depot and UPS give health benefits to part time employees. Not sure if it covers the family, but maybe you could get a part time job there to cover yourself and the delivery.



but would they give it now, being that I am already 5 months? I think w/ all insurance companies, you have to work there for at least 90 days before they cover you, and you can't have an existing illness (well, not really illness, but i think definitely pregnancy) before you start. i mean, everyone would do it! work for a few months then quit!

Re: vent

Re: vent

I totally feel for you. I work in a hospital and believe me it sickens me with the amount of medicaid patients that come in, some have like 3 different names, no SS #'s, and most dont speak English. But 4 yrs ago when my DH was going to school full time and worked part time, got denied cause they said he made too much like they told you. Its total horse **** that the hard working tax paying American citizens get nada and everyone else gets it free and clear. There is something totally wrong with this country...

Hugs to you sweetie...

Re: vent

Posted by CheeChee

I totally feel for you. I work in a hospital and believe me it sickens me with the amount of medicaid patients that come in, some have like 3 different names, no SS #'s, and most dont speak English. But 4 yrs ago when my DH was going to school full time and worked part time, got denied cause they said he made too much like they told you. Its total horse **** that the hard working tax paying American citizens get nada and everyone else gets it free and clear. There is something totally wrong with this country...

Hugs to you sweetie...

Re: vent

I just wanted to let you know PREGNANCY is never considered a PREEXSISTING condition....

My mom works for an ins. company.....and said that there not allowed to consider it that!

Re: vent

I'm so sorry. That's terrible. Why don't you apply for Family Health Plus? The coverage is similar to Medicaid but the allowable income is higher than medicaid. Here's the website:
Family Health Plus

ETA: Sorry I just read the website and being PG you can't apply for family health plus. This is what it says:

What health insurance coverage can I get if I’m pregnant?

A pregnant woman applying for health insurance is not eligible for Family Health Plus but may receive full coverage under Medicaid and/or New York's Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP). Pregnant women should call the Healthy Baby Hotline at 1-800-522-5006 to get answers to their questions regarding income eligibility and to find a PCAP provider near their home or work.

If a woman becomes pregnant after enrolling in Family Health Plus, she will be given the option of continuing her enrollment with Family Health Plus or changing to Medicaid. She should contact her plan and her local social services office to discuss her options and to be sure that her baby will get health care coverage.

Message edited 2/1/2006 7:32:51 PM.

Re: vent

Posted by pnm1654

I'm so sorry. That's terrible. Why don't you apply for Family Health Plus? The coverage is similar to Medicaid but the allowable income is higher than medicaid. Here's the website:
Family Health Plus

ETA: Sorry I just read the website and being PG you can't apply for family health plus. This is what it says:

What health insurance coverage can I get if I’m pregnant?

A pregnant woman applying for health insurance is not eligible for Family Health Plus but may receive full coverage under Medicaid and/or New York's Prenatal Care Assistance Program (PCAP). Pregnant women should call the Healthy Baby Hotline at 1-800-522-5006 to get answers to their questions regarding income eligibility and to find a PCAP provider near their home or work.

If a woman becomes pregnant after enrolling in Family Health Plus, she will be given the option of continuing her enrollment with Family Health Plus or changing to Medicaid. She should contact her plan and her local social services office to discuss her options and to be sure that her baby will get health care coverage.

Re: vent

You're welcome. Good Luck

Re: vent

Did you get the 50% coverage? Its better then nothing. You can purchase your own policy thru healthy NY or an individual plan. Even if its for a few months. I know you said your barely making it, but you were previously posting about being a shopaholic and buying so much stufff, Use that money towards a health insurance policy, at least for yourself for the next few months. You will need to sacrafice now to not have thousands in debt after the baby.

I work for Empire BCBS and theres a lot of policies you could get for a few hundred a month. Or like I said Healthy NY. Can you find another job that offers benefits? My job started my benefits the day I started working there, so did my husbands?

I know its hard and stressful, but I think you really need to do something now.

If you or the baby need to stay in the hospital it could cost upwards of $50K for more then 3 days...you dont want to be faced with that ya know?

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Didn't you get COBRA thru your previous job? That means you keep your insurance but pay for it..much cheaper than paying for a pregnancy.

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I am sorry you are going through this..
The government doesn't make any sense..
But ( no offense to anyone) you hear stories of people on welfare and keep poping out kids to get money and benefits.. etc..
not right..

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stupid gov't!!! dh was actiave duty marines for 5 yrs, was in Iraq during the war, then transferred to a "less dangerous" (yea, right) branch and this is how they repay him?!?!?! ahhh don't get me started!


Maybe you could try contacting your congressman with your dilemma -- DH service to the country, and now being denied medicaid even though DH can't get benefits. Give them a real sob story, and ask them where you can turn and what you can do. If that does nothing, go to channel 7 -- Shame on You. I bet they would love to hear how one of our soldiers is treated after (and while still) serving.

Re: vent

Re: vent -- UPDATED 2/8/06 at bottom

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I called the social worker at my clinic to try to get some answers and of course no one called me back. So, I had an appt this morning for my monthly prenatal checkup. The girl at the front desk asked for my card, she ran it and it came up DENIED. I showed her the paper work, explained I tried to call someone to find out whats going on and all she told me was "No coverage, no appt" and wouldn't even let me in to talk to someone!!!!!

I was sooo upset I ran right over to Social Services, where, I don't think I even need to explain what a rat hole it is and what a rat hole the class of people are over there, where I sat for over an hour before I got any kind of answer.

They said my DH and I make too much $$. The total they have was over by $776 for PCAP and $2500 for medicaid. BUT they never worked in my step son but aren't sure they can since he doesn't live with us permanently. Then I told them I don't work anymore, so there's where the $$ should be. She said she would reconfigure the #'s and get back to me. I explained there was a slight problem w/ the baby and that I needed to have regular visits AND sonograms per the doctor so I need to know ASAP. I'm just going to keep stalking her until I get an answer.

I can't even explain the problems and stress I have felt b/c of all this. I mean, come on, people who need help for a few months can't get it!!! I'm soo fed up w/ the govt!!!

Please send good thoughts our way so that this coverage goes thru.

Re: vent -- UPDATED 2/8/06

im sorry.....I know what you are going through first hand I was a divorced single mom of 4 and my job did not provide insurance for me(ironically i worked in a hospital) ....i also did not qualify through medicad they said i made too much.....It was so frustrating!!!

did u try calling healthfirst???


btw.....i dont know where u r located but planned parenthood now offers prenatal care...and all of their services are doen on a sliding fee , for your income

Message edited 2/8/2006 2:50:39 PM.

Re: vent -- UPDATED 2/8/06

Re: vent -- UPDATED 2/8/06

definatley .....i actually applied for healthfirst and the lady came to my house...i never had to go to an office she then said that she thought i would qualify for medicaid and submitted it there for me also

did u read above where i edited for planed parenthood???

Message edited 2/8/2006 2:52:27 PM.

Re: vent -- UPDATED 2/8/06