I really need advice....too much nonsense going on (as usual)

I posted here not long ago re. issues I am having with respect to getting health coverage. It still hasn't happened and my blood sugar is getting worse. It's out of control and I know w/o a doubt that my one and only provider (an NP in this village) will throw hissy fits about this. She's been getting on my case about obtaining more coverage but it's not as easy as she and others think.

I've been a patient of her for almost a couple of years now.....she is a bully and the last time I saw her I left that office in tears. It's happened before - not long after I joined her practice she said she regretted taking me into it because of insurance issues.

I'm supposed to see her for a followup soon and am extremely stressed out. I don't know what she will say. I can't take being bullied by her again. I just can't.

Speaking of bullies, one of my neighbors bullied me about getting laundry out of the dryers fast enough for her (yes, you read that right). She was so vicious that I had to get the complex manager over to stop that conflict from escalating. I just couldn't get her to listen to reason. I wouldn't have put it past her to have hit me (which she didn't). Imho this was in retaliation for her daughter's misuse of the facilities, which I reported to management. One of the machines was out of order for a long time because of her. I don't know if my neighbor was asked to pay for repairs, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Then there are my income taxes. I had a legal settlement last year and spent the lion's share of it on medical expenses - portable nebulizer, cpap machine, etc. I have to include this settlement while doing taxes, of course and tried to ask the IRS this question:

I am on Federal employee disability and SSDI. I normally get a refund because my Federal emp. disability check is considered earned income (hence my eligibility for the EIC). I live in subsidized housing through USDA Rural Development. When I recertify for my apartment in another month or so, I can deduct said medical expenses from rent for the upcoming year. So, does that mean I cannot itemize them when I file taxes?

I asked the IRS this at their main number and the Taxpayer Advocate Office. They both refused to answer, saying that due to funding cuts they no longer answer questions of that nature.

Are you freaking kidding me? I want to make sure I don't do this in error. I can't afford to pay someone to prepare my taxes. That settlement went, for the most part, towards medical necessities.

Because I don't have adequate insurance. All I have is Medicare Part A.

I could go ahead and file taxes, hoping I don't make a mistake. I don't know what to do.

Then there's the issue of this new power wheelchair, which is still having issues and needs work, for which I will have to pay out of pocket.

The local bus company's been giving me grief about being able to remain in my chair while riding on board. They claim State DOT regs because I don't have tie down brackets on this chair. I found Federal regs that should supercede the State's (which I can't find, btw) and to this date I still can't get OCO to get back to me on those regs.

And that's not all....this is just the worst of what I'm going through, besides feeling physically ill much of the time.

Thoughts, ATS? I want to scream. Thanks for listening.

I haven't got answers.
Hope things work out for you.
Till then.....

a reply to: dianajune

I filed my taxes online (I believe turbotax, and hr block are free) it determines for you what you are eligible for. I didn't make enough money to pay a penalty for not having health insurance for instance. And I got EIC.

I filed in about 1 hour after just waking up and in about 2 weeks I'll be seeing all that money back

Although your specific question is a bit over my head. You can talk to people from each company also for free** **I think...

My taxes are just income, nothing confusing so yea.

I would feel like you couldn't "double dip" medical expense benefits as deductions to rent AND taxes.

a reply to: dianajune

What do you consider bullying from your dr.? Can you change dr.

Why is your sugar so high-is it diet related or is it hard to control with a low glycemic load diet?

Why did you bring up your neighbor and a dryer?

If your power chair is new then there is a warranty. My buddy had a $19,000 power chair with the tilt back feature and foot pad raise. HE had huge problems with the servo motors-all covered. Don't let the company force you to pay for their poor quality chair.

If you want to ride the bus, do what they say.

I hope we go to a single payer system like Canada so you and I can get affordable quality care with out living in fear. For profit health care is killing people.

a reply to: dianajune

How the heck does someone in your situation get by in the US?
Even with the disability and partial medicare...who helps with day to day life things like this?

The IRS can't answer a question?? Because they're just keeping the tax filing racket going.

Your doctor regrets taking you as a patient??????? Horrendous.

I also have no advice for you, but I'm feeling for you.

As for your type 2 diabetes, can it be managed with diet?

I have no answers to your questions about tax liability. The bus has guidelines they have to follow, you would have to discuss the situation with the head of the bus service, the driver just has to follow the rules he/she is given. You may have to go see a tax professional, some are not that expensive to get advise from. I don't think the people running the tax help lines would even know things like that. You are talking about some pretty complicated tax issues there.

Sorry to hear that your life is going so bad.

a reply to: dianajune
The Nurse Practitioner, if she has # bedside manner and is generally being hostile, it could be defined as harassment and contacting the licensing board and the owners of the medical facility could facilitate a transfer for her, or at least some kind of disciplinary action. Thats if you don't just tell her if she does not stop you will feed her her own teeth. I prefer the latter myself, but I suppose there is an official alternative to such things.

I would try Reverbs advice on the tax matters. And then, as far as getting your blood sugar under control, you probably need to actually follow the medical advice given to you, or perhaps try an open inquiry on those webMD boards where medical professionals can provide you with input.

They will typically refer you to your primary physician , but often have some good general advice for you provide you are 100% honest with them and yourself about your dietary intake.

The tests they run will reveal if somebody is lying about how they are eating/living. This will generally create animosity between patient and physician as hostility, and then counter hostility when accusations begin.

I see people get on our city busses in wheelchairs every so often. They don't appear to have any special brackets. The off chance I get on one and see them, they usually just slap on their brakes while on the bus.

a reply to: Atsbhct

The IRS is being pissy because federal employees in general don't like the guy in charge, so they have to make the tax cuts look like crap somehow.

I know low income people have tax help available, usually for free. It's a matter of finding out where and when that it is offered. You may have to contact community centers, libraries, etc., to find that out, but it is available.

As far as transportation, the rules are the rules, and I'm not sure how or if an exception would be in order or how one would go about it.

a reply to: Black_Fox

originally posted by: Reverbs
a reply to: dianajune..........I would feel like you couldn't "double dip" medical expense benefits as deductions to rent AND taxes.

That's what I was thinking. But it angers me that the IRS, which would have fits if I make a mistake, refuses to answer what should be an easy question.

The manager of this complex didn't think itemizing AND using these expenses while recertifying would be an issue but she didn't know for certain.

I'm going to ask a tax preparer who hangs out at Walmart about this...hopefully she will give me an answer even though I'm not a paying customer. I know of free tax help for seniors & others not far from here, but I just need that particular question asked. I can fill out the forms.

originally posted by: seasonal
a reply to: dianajune

What do you consider bullying from your dr.? Can you change dr.

Why is your sugar so high-is it diet related or is it hard to control with a low glycemic load diet?

Why did you bring up your neighbor and a dryer?

If your power chair is new then there is a warranty. My buddy had a $19,000 power chair with the tilt back feature and foot pad raise. HE had huge problems with the servo motors-all covered. Don't let the company force you to pay for their poor quality chair.

If you want to ride the bus, do what they say.

I hope we go to a single payer system like Canada so you and I can get affordable quality care with out living in fear. For profit health care is killing people.

What do I consider bullying? She is extremely blunt to the point of rudeness and even questioned whether I was putting enough effort to obtain health coverage. Her worst behavior, imho, was when she told me she regretted taking me into her practice once she realised how hard it is for me to get affordable coverage. Her attitude towards me since has worsened; hence my reluctance to go there again, even though there is nowhere else in this area I can seek medical attention (other than urgent care). I don't have a car, so transport is a huge issue as well.

My sugar is high due to: weight, diet and family hx. I've been adjusting my diet, and even the timing of my meds as morning highs are more of an issue than anything else. A couple of appointments ago she said if things don't improve soon she wants me to go on insulin. I will NOT take that as I know it causes weight gain, plus I can't afford it anyway. I would exercise if I was physically able to do so. I'm in a wheelchair.

Why did I bring up my neighbor & dryer? Because that was just a part of what was a very very bad week. Last week sucked. It was one thing after another after another. I've had fruit-loop neighbors before, the worst of which (besides this twit) was someone who complained to the police that I violated his "human rights" by the sound I produced while walking. This was in a very run-down apartment building I used to live in....and it's not my fault they had cheap floorboards (among other things).

My power wheelchair is covered by a parts warranty only. I think the online merchant saw dollar signs when he found I'd pay out of pocket. Usually his customers have insurance and have to go through many hoops (esp. with Medicare) to get new chairs. I will have to pay for repairs out of pocket, and if the repairman finds something very serious I will most likely take the manufacturer of the device and the company that sold it to me to court.

I WILL ride the bus in accordance with Federal regs, which prove my point (see OP) about those tie down brackets. Not only that, I learned that bus companies cannot force wheelchair passengers to wear seatnbelts unless all other passengers do likewise. I've got a disabled advocacy group and local atty working on this but it is so wearing on my nerves to have to put up with this hassle too.

I hope we will have a healthcare system like they have in Canada or Britain, because people are literally dying for lack of coverage, including me. As far as I am concerned, I am as good as terminally ill w/o the insurance I need.

originally posted by: Atsbhct
a reply to: dianajune

How the heck does someone in your situation get by in the US?
Even with the disability and partial medicare...who helps with day to day life things like this?

The IRS can't answer a question?? Because they're just keeping the tax filing racket going.

Your doctor regrets taking you as a patient??????? Horrendous.

I also have no advice for you, but I'm feeling for you.

As for your type 2 diabetes, can it be managed with diet?

I'm barely getting by. I have only one medical provider, a nurse practioner with the worst bedside manner since a surgeon I had over 20 years ago. I really dread my next appointment.....to the point where I've been putting it off.

The IRS stinks...If I can't get the answers I need I may have to write up a Congressional and ask for an extension to file my taxes. As a former Federal employee I can attest that other agencies LOATHE Congressional inquiries.

I've been making changes to my diet but it's not helping a whole lot. I would like to see an endocrinologist but I don't have Medicare B. I've been changing the timing of my meals and medications. So far it hasn't helped very much. My morning highs get to me most of all.

a reply to: rickymouse

Thanks!

I hope to find the answers I need very soon.

originally posted by: worldstarcountry
a reply to: dianajune
The Nurse Practitioner, if she has # bedside manner and is generally being hostile, it could be defined as harassment and contacting the licensing board and the owners of the medical facility could facilitate a transfer for her, or at least some kind of disciplinary action. Thats if you don't just tell her if she does not stop you will feed her her own teeth. I prefer the latter myself, but I suppose there is an official alternative to such things.

I would try Reverbs advice on the tax matters. And then, as far as getting your blood sugar under control, you probably need to actually follow the medical advice given to you, or perhaps try an open inquiry on those webMD boards where medical professionals can provide you with input.

They will typically refer you to your primary physician , but often have some good general advice for you provide you are 100% honest with them and yourself about your dietary intake.

The tests they run will reveal if somebody is lying about how they are eating/living. This will generally create animosity between patient and physician as hostility, and then counter hostility when accusations begin.

I see people get on our city busses in wheelchairs every so often. They don't appear to have any special brackets. The off chance I get on one and see them, they usually just slap on their brakes while on the bus.

I wish she could be transferred, but the NP has her own office. That solution is out.

I didn't think of WebMd. I'll give it a shot if worse comes to worse, but I still need to have my bloodwork done soon. That will tell if my blood sugar is as bad as I think.

It's been coming down, but not that much. As for my diet, I have eliminated many things I miss very much, inc. bread and milk (both high in carbs). I love almond milk and keep it in the fridge all the time, and lots of salad. Only problem is, when I get stressed like I have been as of late, I tend to go off the rails and eat things I ought not.

originally posted by: ketsuko
I know low income people have tax help available, usually for free. It's a matter of finding out where and when that it is offered. You may have to contact community centers, libraries, etc., to find that out, but it is available.

As far as transportation, the rules are the rules, and I'm not sure how or if an exception would be in order or how one would go about it.

I found low-income tax help for seniors & others in a couple of nearby towns. I don't know if they do just the forms or if they can answer questions over the phone. I can do the forms, I just need that one question answered.

As for transport issues, the driver quoted State regs but I can't find them no matter how hard I look. And I am very good with online research. However, I did find Federal regs that address this issue and if I am right, they cannot force me to get out of my wheelchair. Nor can they force me to wear a seatbelt unless everyone else on board does likewise.

Out of curiosity, I watched a few videos out of Britain where wheelchair passengers were on the Tube and bus. No securement is used at all. Just park, put on one's brakes and that's it. If only it were that simple here.

a reply to: dianajune

Is eating a low glycemic diet an option?

Is there a social worker that can help with the medical side?

Is the Dr. using tough love or is there a growing dislike between the 2 of you?

a reply to: dianajune

I'm so sorry you're dealing with all this... and all at once! Life sure gets messy, eh?

Regarding the income taxes, do you know if you have to claim the subsidized rent on your income tax return? (Perhaps as income?) If the rent subsidy isn't reported on your tax return, then I would think that the IRS has no interest in that subsidy, and therefore it would not matter. If the rent subsidy is reported on your tax return, then I would think that there may be an issue. And in that case, I would think that tax software would walk you through that part of it. I've used both TurboTax and TaxAct and both are very thorough and good about walking you through the steps. If you go to the IRS website you can find a list of online software for filing, and many are free for everyone, or some people.

The other suggestion I would have is to check with your library or senior centers in your neighborhood, and see if anyone is offering tax help seminars or classes to attend. Also google "free tax help" and your area, and see what comes up. I know that the United Way has offered help in the past, and I believe even the IRS has some kind of volunteer program to help folks (although I wouldn't blame you for not wanting to ask them again!).

Regarding your health, the NP's rudeness seems to be becoming the norm in the medical community. It's not you. I once had to call my hubby from an ER at 3:00 in the morning and tell him he needed to get down there quick or he'd be picking me up in jail... The ER nurse wasn't just rude, she became downright cruel at some point. Before the sun came up though, both she and the ER doc were told not to come near my daughter again, after an MRI tech reported them both because they were sooooooooooo out of line. I doubt her supervisors would appreciate her treating patients this way. There must be someone or somewhere you could report her, though you may not want to do so while still depending upon her for care.

It sounds like you have Diabetes II, and once your immediate needs are addressed, there may be diet and nutritional remedies that could help long-term and relieve the burden altogether. My mom had Diabetes II, and I did a lot of research for her, and both diet and nutritional supplements were a great help for her. There is even a multi-vitamin developed especially for Diabetics and their specific nutritional needs. I'd be happy to help you research in any way I could.

As for your neighbor, haters are gonna hate... just smile (or smirk, if it feels better!) and apologize and roll on your way. Don't let someone else's nastiness drag you down. Let it drag them down.

I wish you the best of luck and brightest blessings... be strong and faith it till you make it

Why do you only have Medicare part A? When I was on SSDI after 2 years Medicare automatically kicked in and both part A and B was included. Did you opt out of B some way? If you did, a big mistake you need to correct.

originally posted by: seasonal
a reply to: dianajune

Is eating a low glycemic diet an option?

Is there a social worker that can help with the medical side?

Is the Dr. using tough love or is there a growing dislike between the 2 of you?

I've cut way back on the carbs and it doesn't seem to be having an impact. If I eat too much salad (which I love), it upsets my stomach. I've been having chronic stomach issues for years and was recently diagnosed with diverticulosis. My blood sugar is easier to control during the day than at night. Morning highs are the worst. If I could just get that to stop being an issue, it would be easier to control.

I have a care manager through Catholic Charities and she can only do so much. My last visit with her will be in March because there is a time limit as to how long a person can have one.

The NP isn't using tough love. She is being very rude and blunt. Horrid bedside manners. What kind of a medical provider, whether it be a doctor, NP or whatever, would tell a patient they regret taking them into the practice because of insurance issues? That was soooooo low of her. I think everything's been going downhill since.