DENIED BENEFITS

[traveljaff]

I RECENTLY BROKE MY LEG IN MY HOME WHEN BOTHLEGS COLLAPSE DUEING ASTAND TO TOILET. I SPENT 3 MONTHS IN A SKILLED NURSING FACILITY IN A NON WEIGHT BEARING STATUS WHILE THEBONE HEALED. ON 1/27 MY DR. ORDERED FULL WEIGHT BARING AND TRANSFER TO ACUTE REHAB FOR INTENSIVE PHYSICAL THERAPY 3 1/2 HRS A DAY IN PATIENT, IN ORDER TO RECOVER TO MY PRIOR LEVEL OF FUNCTION. MY MEDICARE HMO-AVMED DENIED. STATING I WOUD NOT BENEFIT DUE TO THE UNDERLYING MS.I WAS DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL UNABLE TO STAND, TOILET,TRANSFER. I APPEALED 4 TIMES. ALL DENIED. AS A RESULT I HAD TO HIRE 24HR CARE AS I AM ALONE. I CANNOT PAY FOR THIS MUCHLONGER. I AM IN OUT-PATIENT PHYSICAL THERAPY HR DAY 4 DAYS A WEEK AND STILL HAVE NOT IMPROVED. I APPLIED FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MS SOCIETY & MS FOUNDATION. BOTH LOCAL CHAPTERS HERE IN BROWAR COUNTY, FL. HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ASSIST DUE TO FUNDS NOT AVAILABLE. I AM WITHOUT ANY OTHER RESOURCES FOR HELP.I CANNOT MAINTAIN THIS HELP. I HAVE CALLED EVERYWHER FOR ASSISTANCE WITH OVERTURNINGTHE INS DENIAL AND REIMBURSEMENT. BUT NO ORGANIZATION HAS HELPED. I FEEL DISPOSABLE. AND NO ONE CARES. I HAVE CRIED A MILLION TEARS. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY 27YRS F LIVING WITH MS I AM ALONE AND HAVE NO SOLUTION TO THIS. I FEEL I WILL DIE AS A RESULT OF THIS.HAS ANYONE HADTHIS HAPPEN? AND WHERE DID YOU FIND HELP. PLEASE RESPOND.

[Kitsey]

Hi. My name is Kitsey. I too have MS, live alone and have needed assistance due to a broken shoulder.

I don't often post to this site although when I feel that I might be able to share some possible resources, I feel compelled to try.

I looked up the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Broward County. The website is adrcbroward.org. They may be able to provide some assistance/guidance for you.

There is also Catholic Charities serving Miami-Dade and Broward counties. You do not need to be Catholic to receive help. The contact phone is 305-754-2444.

You are not disposable and deserve respect and to be treated with dignity. I truly hope these agencies can help.

I wish you only the very best 😊❤

[jimeka]

Oh my goodness. I am so sorry and helpless. I am from the uk so I do not know how to help but please do not feel so alone. All of us on this forum feels for you, and all I can do is pray that your circumstances will change quickly. Please stay in touch and let us know how you get on. God bless Jimeka 🌈

[Fancy1959]

Travelijaff, i'm Fancy1959 and i am so sorry this has happened to you. You are not disposable! Unfortunately, the insurance climate we all must live with and deal with today often tries to play doctor and dictakes what care they will allow us to access. Have you gone to your doctor and have him/her exhaust every resourse they know off. You stated you contacted the local MS Society. Have they put in touch with the National MS Society at 1-800- FIGHTMS. It can't hurt to see if they have resouces that the local chapter might not have. I am sure tomorrow you will receive a multitude of other responses with other ideas and other resources you can contact for assistance. Until then, please remember together we are stronger and let us know know you are fairing. Take care and realize you have found friends and a whole new family that truly cares.

[erash]

traveljaff im aghast! Praying the resource that Kitsey offered can help 🙏

[Bygonelines]

Traveljaff I am so sorry this happened to you. I would suggest calling 2-1-1. They can help by putting you in touch with people and organizations that may be able to help you. They have access to financial assistance programs, medical programs, etc. They would be my first stop/call. They may even know of someone who can help you get your insurance to cover the rehab.

Good luck and remember you are not in this alone. We are all praying for you.

Jacqui

[greaterexp]

I'm sorry you are going through this and feeling alone. I sure am praying that help comes soon. I know the government can never solve our problems, but we hear so many promises, we begin to feel they surely can.

I wonder if any local churches could put you in touch with some caregivers. Do you know your neighbors well? It often happens that we link up with a marvelous resource via an unlikely source. I am always being surprised by learning about some great program or ministry I never dreamed existed.

You have a lot of folks here who are pulling for you.

[amc8184]

Hi Traveljaff, I'm so sorry you're going through all of this, and I wanted to mention some possible resources you can try to connect with that may be able to help with the insurance denial. There is a group called the Patient Advocate Foundation that may be able to intervene with the insurance barriers, patientadvocate.org/ You can also try to work with the Medicare Rights Center for any assistance or guidance they can offer with the denial, medicarerights.org/ And also in Broward County, FL you can try to connect to the Center for Independent Living office for some help as well, cilbroward.org/ I hope these resources along with everyone's suggestions here can help. Take care.

Sincerely,

Angel B.

MSAA Client Services Specialist

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador]

Please do not take offense to my suggestion. If you've checked with senior services, local charities and Salvation Army, consider making a " Go Fund Me" page and publishing it to friends and relatives. There are many out there that look through those pages for good causes to make donations. One of my friends made the suggestion for me as I'm keeping the thought of looking into Stem Cell treatments.

[lexsarset]

I am sorry you are going through this tough time. I feel helpless because I wish I could help you . May God be with you during this time and hold on to your faith and hope! Hopefully, you will be able 2 receive some assistance soon. Maybe, someone on this site will be able to direct you to available resources. However on this site, you are never alone! Hang in there! Hugs and Smiles!!!!!!

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador in reply to lexsarset]

I didn't know if you meant that for me or #traveljaff, but appreciate your kind words. I'm just entering my 9th month of MS and symptoms. It all hit me in less than 18 hrs. Numbness/tingling, extremely uncomfortable. Gabapentin RX since early January has been helpful and keeps me somewhat on a maintenance program. Yes, I'm not happy with all we go through, but I gave my worries to the Lord, because I know whatever happens is all in His plan for me. Blessings, Lynn

[Raingrrl]

Hi traveljaff ! I hope some of these great suggestions are helpful to you. I don't have any additional ones to add but wanted to encourage you to continue to reach out for support here. Hang in there! We care!

[Maryj75]

Hi

This is horrendous. If you haven't already try Justice In Aging. They have legal resources and may either help you or refer you to someone who can.

They used to be called The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Advocacy.

You could also try your local Legal Aid office

Please let us know if you get help