Screwed by Indiana Medicaid

My husband was recently admitted to a nursing home because he suffers from vascular dementia, with symptoms very similar to Alzheimer's Disease. I took care of him for six years with no help from anyone, and no public assistance. I also work. I have been a tax paying citizen for 40 years. I love to work, and I love my job. I am a substitute school teacher in a middle, or intermediate center. While applying for medicaid assistance for him, I soon realized that I am chopped liver and medicaid could care less. The Spousal Impoverishment Protection Law was passed in 1988. This gave me some encouragement, as I feared I would be left with nothing. Well, I wasn't wrong entirely. Please keep in mind our living expenses. I pay bills and make rent and car payments based on our combined income. Now, I am going to be expected to make these same payments on 1/4 of the combined amount. I am told that medicaid does not see a vehicle as a necessity, and therefore they could care less about a car payment. Our health insurance premium is deducted from his pension check. Medicaid will only allow for his portion, I will have to pay my own portion. Medicaid does not care about any of my doctor, hospital or medication expenses. With what they state they will allow me, $200 a month, in addition to my income, will not anywhere near cover the rent, the car, nor the utility bills. I just received a call from the hospital where he has a balance. The lady told me that nevertheless, we are married and I am still responsible for his bills. Oh hell no!! Within the next two months, I will be living at the national poverty level. I can appeal the medicaid decision, but I would have to hire an attorney. I can't afford an attorney. I am a responsible individual. I am not asking for a "hand out". I am asking the state to do the right thing. I could take the option to quit my job and medicaid would allow more money. I don't know that figure. But, no, I am not going to quit my job. I don't sit on my butt. I love my job. I like being responsible. I feel I am being punished for being a law abiding tax paying citizen. I don't have a clue what I am going to do.

www.in.gov...

reply to post by aero56


I am truly sorry for your situation. It is ok for the government to take, take, and
take some more from us, while the politicians get more and more and more.
They don't care a tiny bit for us, only thinking of themselves and how big of a
pension and tremendous health coverage they will have for the rest of their life.
This country is so corrupt and dishonorable. The average person is nothing but
a number to pay the big dogs, so they can live in style while the rest of us live
in near poverty.

Check around and see if there is some sort of legal aid group in your area. They have lawyers to help people who can not afford a lawyer.

It is stories like yours that make me glad that I live in Canada. No, I am not trying to start anything at all here, but from friends who live in the United States, I am dissapointed at how some of you are treated as everyone seems to be just trying to get by these days.

My heart goes out to you and I wish I could help in some way. It seems to be that the middle class everywhere is being punished for doing what they have been told to do to get ahead in this life. You have done everything right and when you need help, somehow you are not in the right "category".

I do hope that you and your husband get the financial help that you require and that this is just a bump in the road for you. A lot of people don't realize how difficult it is to look after a loved one by yourself and I hope that these individuals never have to experience it.

Best of luck to you..

Originally posted by AnnieMaine
Check around and see if there is some sort of legal aid group in your area. They have lawyers to help people who can not afford a lawyer.

Yes, please do check around as I am sure that there must be some group that offers help to those in situations like these.

Luckily I've not had to do this (my hubby and I are in our 50's), and we both seem to be in good health.
But if there was something catastrophic, I would move all possible assets to the non-sick spouse and get divorced. I might not get the best care, but it is a crime that a surviving spouse can lose everything they have worked for for decades. Except for a pittance for living expenses, spending their retirement working and still living paycheck to paycheck for life.
I do know several families who filed bankruptcy to protect assets.
I'm not certain just how any of this is "legal", but it sure seems better than the less than nothing you seem to be "getting" from them. It's not an entitlement, it's a promise made to us that we would be taken care of.......and it's nothing but a long, bumpy ride that wears people out so they no longer fight.

reply to post by aero56

I am sorry for, I feel your pain and suffering. I used to live in Indiana, and was on the program, so I know what you are going through. I destroyed my lower spine in 1985 in a semi truck roll over crash. For 24 years I went to doctors, specialists, and all kinds of therapists. I was told; "Smoking causes your back pain." "You are not a good candidate for surgery." "You are faking the pain." Of course, I could, and did get any narcotic I wanted, even Methadone. But not one doctor would address my chronic back pain. I moved to Ohio 5 years ago. One night I had my son take me to the hospital for a Morphine shot, something I have gotten used to over the years. I was sitting there, they make you stay for a while to see if there is any reaction, and i was running it down to the on call doctor about all of this. He told me, "I can feel your pain. If I make you an appointment, will you go?"
The rest is history. I went to the man, a gifted surgeon, who diagnosed me
with PARS Defect.
He fused and fixated my 5 lower lumbar, and I am a new man.

As far as fighting with Welfare, forget it dear, they do not care. they have a sliding scale they go by. I have been trying to get new dentures and glasses for three years now, even had a State Hearing on it. No dice. the States are flat broke, and so is the government. If Restore America doesn't take over on the first, we are all down for.

I gave up on having any kind of modern medical treatment in America long ago.

For over thirty years now (I am fiftyish) I have stitched my own wounds, splinted my own broken bones, got a degree in Naturopathy, delivered my own kids... my only concession to modernity is my best friend, the Dentist.

Not an option for everyone. I am resolutely unafraid of the suffering and death that is every living being's fate.

I know western medicine promises relief from that fate- a promise it can not deliver on. It only delays the inevitable.

Up to now, life has been great. I don't expect the state, church or neighbors to help when it ain't.

Where's Obamacare?

Also happening in Indiana a few weeks back, I posted a thread about another situation

ATS Thread

Indiana Medicaid refused to cover a treatment for a young boy and essentially gave him a death sentence.
The story made some mainstream news outlets and an independant insurance company came through and offered to pay the $500,000 for the procedure.

Perhaps take your story to the media in some way. If IN Medicaid will not cover you, and the human interest story is picked up by the right coverage, perhaps an insurance comapny will come through for you like they did for this boy.

www.probono.net... it isnt a solution but it may help my now wife used this service in IN when she was going through her divorce and was below the poverty level at the time

reply to post by aero56


OP, my heart goes out to you. I hope that your circumstances take a turn for the better. Having been through a similar experience with a chronically ill child, I know how overwhelming it can feel, even making a first effort to try to find help. Here's a little initial research which will hopefully start you in a good direction.

This agency, ILS, offers free legal aid to low-income Indiana residents (including health/Medicaid related cases). Indiana residents may contact Indiana Legal Services Administration for more information by calling 800-869-0212 or 317-631-9410. Location: 151 North Delaware Street, Suite 1640, Indianapolis Indiana, 46204.

This web page has a listing of many firms who also offer free legal assistance to Indiana residents.

Please understand, I'm not endorsing or promoting either of the above resources as I live in another state and have no experience with them; just trying to give you a boost on your own research. Good luck and God bless.

reply to post by youdidntseeme


Yes, I remember this story. So pathetic. I am ashamed to live in Indiana. I am so glad this young person got help.

meh ignore mine, i cant find the proper link to the probono site looks like grace has it the best i could do atm is give driving directions to the st joseph county branch

reply to post by stars15k


I have emailed and blogged all day. I don't know what else to do. I am awaiting to hear from legal aid services. I emailed our governor, my local congressman, and the First Lady!!! Hey, you never know. The responses I am getting on ATS are so appreciated.

Originally posted by ringsaw
meh ignore mine, i cant find the proper link to the probono site looks like grace has it the best i could do atm is give driving directions to the st joseph county branch

I found the pro bono site. I emailed them today. We shall see. Thank you sooooo much!

reply to post by graceunderpressure


Thank you for your kind response. I know where caring people hide out now!! I can't tell all of you how much it means to have such support. Thank you.

Originally posted by autowrench
reply to post by aero56

 

I am sorry for, I feel your pain and suffering. I used to live in Indiana, and was on the program, so I know what you are going through. I destroyed my lower spine in 1985 in a semi truck roll over crash. For 24 years I went to doctors, specialists, and all kinds of therapists. I was told; "Smoking causes your back pain." "You are not a good candidate for surgery." "You are faking the pain." Of course, I could, and did get any narcotic I wanted, even Methadone. But not one doctor would address my chronic back pain. I moved to Ohio 5 years ago. One night I had my son take me to the hospital for a Morphine shot, something I have gotten used to over the years. I was sitting there, they make you stay for a while to see if there is any reaction, and i was running it down to the on call doctor about all of this. He told me, "I can feel your pain. If I make you an appointment, will you go?"
The rest is history. I went to the man, a gifted surgeon, who diagnosed me
with PARS Defect.
He fused and fixated my 5 lower lumbar, and I am a new man.

As far as fighting with Welfare, forget it dear, they do not care. they have a sliding scale they go by. I have been trying to get new dentures and glasses for three years now, even had a State Hearing on it. No dice. the States are flat broke, and so is the government. If Restore America doesn't take over on the first, we are all down for.

Are all states like this, or is it just Indiana? This is a travesty!! You sound like a trooper and a fighter. I guess in Indiana, one has to be!! Thank you

Originally posted by tribewilder
It is stories like yours that make me glad that I live in Canada. No, I am not trying to start anything at all here, but from friends who live in the United States, I am dissapointed at how some of you are treated as everyone seems to be just trying to get by these days.

My heart goes out to you and I wish I could help in some way. It seems to be that the middle class everywhere is being punished for doing what they have been told to do to get ahead in this life. You have done everything right and when you need help, somehow you are not in the right "category".

I do hope that you and your husband get the financial help that you require and that this is just a bump in the road for you. A lot of people don't realize how difficult it is to look after a loved one by yourself and I hope that these individuals never have to experience it.

Best of luck to you..

I actually thought about moving your way. What a pathetic take on the United States, isn't it? But it's true. I am just sickened. I feel like I want to leave this country.

Originally posted by youdidntseeme
Also happening in Indiana a few weeks back, I posted a thread about another situation

ATS Thread

Indiana Medicaid refused to cover a treatment for a young boy and essentially gave him a death sentence.
The story made some mainstream news outlets and an independant insurance company came through and offered to pay the $500,000 for the procedure.

Perhaps take your story to the media in some way. If IN Medicaid will not cover you, and the human interest story is picked up by the right coverage, perhaps an insurance comapny will come through for you like they did for this boy.

Yes, I am planning on going public. I am going to contact our local TV stations.

reply to post by aero56


I would think you are eligable for medicare? What about trying that route?
I don't know your ages but I am guessing old enough to be qualifying for medicare,no?