We are a family that does NOT do drugs. We are a family that will NOT have any more babies. We are doing the right things. My husband has tried and tried over and over again to find a job. He is laid off again for the 2nd time in one year. He only has 20 more weeks of unemployment left. What’s worse is watching him stressing and feeling bad because he can’t provide for his family. The government wants Dad’s to do their thing but they won’t help the ones that are truly trying!
I am not embarrassed to say that my children are on Medicaid. And for that I am truly thankful. However, my husband and I are NOT covered because his $200/week unemployment check is too much income for a family of six.
And here I am with cancer…
This is so unfair. I am not an illegal immigrant. I am not pregnant AGAIN. I am not a drug addict. I have cancer and need medical care.
What is wrong with our government? I would love to hear what Obama has to say about this!
Now I know how other cancer patients feel with no medical insurance. If we could pay for medical insurance, we would! Someone tell me how you can pay for medical insurance… when you need the house over your head. You need the food on the table. You need clothes on your children. You need the car to go look for work. And you can’t even pay for those things. You also have thoughts of how you really should have some life insurance at this point, but we cannot afford to have it.
Someone has got to stick up for little ol me’s out there.
My oncologist surgeon is working with me. However my Endocrinologist is not. They will not bill. They want the money before we leave the office. I’ve tried and tried to get them to work with me. They will also not work with Retroactive Medicaid which I am probably eligible for but will have to reapply every few months and have a nice size deductible for. All because of the way they bill Medicaid. They are not the only medical facility that is making it difficult for me to be seen.
I have to see an Endocrinologist! There are no questions there. So I decided it was time to email the actual doctor and see what his response was. Here is what I said.
Dr. so and so,
I have some questions and concerns here. Primarily my insurance.
As you probably know my medicaid was taken away in September. We cannot keep coming in there concerned if we have to pay (which we absolutely do not have!) each time or if you will allow us to be billed. We have filed for retroactive medicaid. However I will have to continue doing this every few months which means it will be paid but not at the time of the appointment. I was just called to come in for blood work again. I have enough to worry about now without worrying how we are going to pay for every single thing each single time.
I would really like to know if you are willing to work with me on this or if I need to go somewhere that will be willing. We have four children. I’m dealing with cancer here… that is serious. My husband is laid off. We do not have the money. And my sanity is going down with each worry.
I need to have some security for my sanity here. I either come to you and worry each time or you work with me here. Or I go somewhere else.
I do trust you and don’t want to go anywhere else but I can’t go through this every single time. I’m worked up enough with knowing it is cancer and I’m not feeling well obviously.
It’s sad that a 33 yr old mother of 4 can’t get medicaid while her husband is laid off. It’s even sadder that this same woman has to be worried if she is going to be taken care of and have people willing to work with her situation. Or if she’s going to die of this cancer because she can’t pay to go the doctor.
Sincerely,
Michele Chestnut
I’m finding out real quick that the cancer itself is not so scary it’s the fact that I cannot pay for the care I need to live a long life and watch my children grow up.
- Am I going to be cared for the same as the next person?
- Will they treat me the same since I’m poor?
- I thought they had to treat you if you are paying or not. They cannot refuse treating you – so I thought!
- I cannot wait until I’m so sick that I have to be rushed to the ER where they CANNOT refuse you. That would mean it’s too late for treatment and too late for a long life.
- And so much more going through my head.
Someone at CNN, The White House, The NC Governor’s Office…. someone that can needs to do something.
The doctor has not responded yet. But at this point, I cannot go to my next appointment. Or call and make one because I am not feeling good… because I cannot pay! That is wrong!
In all reality, I will die of this cancer even though I have a good prognosis at this point.
For one single reason, because I cannot pay to keep my treatment and checkups going.
Someone needs to help the ones who don’t have a voice in the government! Something needs done so my 4 beautiful children I have, will have their Mother for a long time. I am not a political type person, never have been but I think that’s about to change!
Please consider getting involved at The American Cancer Society to help people like me. That’s my next step… maybe they can help me.
Also, I am begging you to share this hardship I’m having. I believe that if it gets to the right people… maybe one day before I leave this earth or even after… it will help someone going through the same thing… if the right person hears my story and can use their voice. I honestly believe that the news needs to hear about it. I would be forever grateful. They never talk about the welfare people… the ones that truly need it.
My son died because he had a birth defect (a pre-existing condition) that left him highly vulnerable to colon cancer. Because it was a pre-existing condition, he couldn’t get insurance. Because he didn’t have insurance, he couldn’t get the diagnostic tests he needed. He was near death before they would do anything for him and by then it was too late to save his life. I now run a small nonprofit, Life o’ Mike (my son’s name) and we do health care advocacy. Please visit my website, http://lifeomike.org. Where are you?
If you are reading this… this lady has already been in contact with me… she’s got an awesome advocacy going on! Check out her website. Thank you Leslie!
Chele, my husband is a oncologist. This type of problem is difficult to fix however most doctor’s offices work with people who are honestly trying. I am so sorry this is a problem for you. I am praying that God who is our Provider will make a way. I have re-tweeted your tweet…
Thank you so much! I so appreciate it!! Tell your husband, thank you for doing the work he is!
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Praying for you and will be sharing as much as I can.
Thank you Joy!!
I am in the same boat w/ the insurance thing. I do not have any right now. My kids are on CHIP, Thank GOD. Matt is on Adult Basic and was taken off the waiting list after 3 years of being on it. CRAZY. YOU need someone to work w/ you. I also thought no one could deny you treatment/care based on if you can pay or not. You have a family that needs you to take care of them. But you need to be taken care of too…damn (excuse my language) that just makes me mad!! We are poor too. We cant afford any insuramce for me right now. It is the ppl. who do not try that get all the $/free stuff. Praying for you. It will work out. It just may be a tough road til the insurance crap is figured out!!!
Thanks girl! I know it’s crazy isn’t it?! It doesn’t make any sense for the people who are absolutely trying and cannot get the help!
I wish I had something up my sleeve that would help. All I got are virtual hugs and plenty of tweets! Hopefully you get a solution soon!
I’ll take those virtual hugs my friend! Thank you so much!!
Amen Chele! We will shout with you!
Thanks much Ginger!!
The sad part is once you have a pre-existing condition, it doesn’t matter if you have a million dollars. No one will insure you. It’s a catch 22. Poor or rich, unless you have health insurance through an employer, it is very difficult to attain it as an adult. By that point, most of us have something that places us in the undesirable category.
Chasin is swearing (well not really) that it has been passed that insurance companies cannot deny you with pre-existing conditions. He just couldn’t tell me when that would go in affect. You are so right though April!
I would send this to Obama. It can’t hurt.
I’m really thinking about it! And thank you for your RT on Twitter!
Move up here to Canada. No denying here! Free medical works for us.
I’ll be sending good thoughts your way! Having been though a couple of cancer scares myself, I can just start to scratch the surface of what you are feeling. You have a lot of people behind you, and will have many more I’m sure.
Thank you so much! The US has got to do something for their people like Canada does!
Having the government provide for us is a dangerous concept. What if they decide to stop someday? Then we’ll be stuck with no back-up system. I think the best way to go about things is to have some government options for the very poor, veterans, etc, but to also have a vibrant and competitive free market in which we are not begging them but instead they are begging us for their business.
I went through chemo and several surgeries and I know I was served better at Duke Univ. than I would have at the V.A.
One thing you might try is begging other insured thyroid cancer patients for their unused Synthroid sitting in their medicine cabinets
Also are you always asking about cash discount if they are forcing you to pay up front? You should get about a 30% (or higher) discount for paying out of pocket upfront because it saves them at least 30% (often up to 70%) if they don’t have to bill. And get in touch with the ACS advocacy department – they have financial resources for people in your situation and can point you in the direction of the right doctor! This is from their site:
PATIENT NAVIGATOR PROGRAM (PERSONAL CANCER GUIDE)
The American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program connects you with a patient navigator at a cancer treatment center. You can talk one-on-one with a patient navigator about your situation. This person will listen in your time of need. Call us at 1-800-227-2345, and we can tell you more about this program.
You have been so much help!! Thank you Gen!
Your story is a made-for-social-media campaign waiting to happen. I would suggest both contacting your legislative representative through their local office, and then through their national office. They really need to hear this kind of thing, and they can also help.
Next, I would start a fundraiser. It might seem a little strange, since you would be raising money for yourself, but you sound out of options and the desperation of your situation, the injustice of it, the money you need, your family, etc all create a wonderful opportunity for people help. Remember, people do WANT to help.
But this campaign, were you to do it, is about more than you. This is a reflection of the problem with our healthcare system. You can be instrumental in getting people talking and acting on this issue. If you’re interested in doing this, let me know–I could lend a little advise.
God Bless you and your family this Christmas!
Um, what’s wrong with being pregnant?
@Cindy Nothing at all… I know my reference was to those who have kids to stay on Medicaid and welfare. That’s all!
I’ve had four kids and if I could afford more I would do it again… love babies! 
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