To the OP, I feel your pain, and I prey that your wife gets the quality care you deserve and are paying for.
This may be tldr..
I am going through a similar situation as you. I am my father's caregiver. He's 57, and was diagnosed with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer,
Stage 3 back in June 2011. He's worked since the age 14 and has never been without a job. Although he averaged about
$40,000 a year since he's worked, he's paid into FICA and Social Security... and *had* private insurance via his past employer.
One day he could not make it up the steps - and his insurance provider was Kaiser Permanente. The COPD and Lung Cancer
prevented him from working, and we do not have other family that helps me. I am his sole provider and caregiver.
I applied for Social Security, and I calculated what he paid into the system. Mind you, this is terminal for him, and the Chemotherapy is extending his life
for another year or so at best. We are hoping it stops the spreading and then it should be operable.. He well over $150,000. He will most likely get 3,000 back..
Well, he took advantage of the FMLA, and by law, his employer must provide the insurance for a max 6 months.. Well, HE does NOT qualify for
medicaid. I filed S.S. for him and got a fast track approval.. There is a mandatory 6 month waiting period for Social Security.
His payments would be okay for basic needs.. When he's qualified to recieve them.
His insurance was canceled right in the middle of Chemo. I paid all the deductables, I paid all the co pays, I even paid cash for the last
chemo treatment ($11,655). I had to make him sign a loan document so it would not be considered as a gift.
I had to stop working in order to take care of him and went through my savings and his 401k (which wasnt much).
Now, I am paying 100% out of pocket for everything, and we are on week 6 of me paying for everything out of pocket.
They canceled his pet scan because Kaiser has their own docs and their own facilities, and even though I had cash money,
they refused to give him the pet scan because he's an "inactive member" Now, I have hospice involved, and they do not cover much..
I had to take him to the ER last night, because I ran out of all the medications that help him breath and help control the pain.
The symptoms are very manageable when I have the proper meds at home. The ER treated us like shit, and I literally went off
after they treated us bad. I asked for financial assistance and it felt like I had to twist their arm.
By all means, I did not make a lot of money, neither did he, BUT we are fucking tax paying citizens who, like you OP, subsidize other's healthcare,
illegals, and the poor. We are considered poor now, but, since we aren't a protected class like the OP, we get screwed. I am on the brink of losing my
house, my personal things that I am selling, etc.. and since his doctors wont see him anymore due to the politics of the health care plan,
how the fuck do I get him meds, affordable meds? I'm running out of shit to sell, and I can only work so much in the capictiy where I can take
care of him..
I've done more politicking than learning about his illness from his doctors. Don't get me wrong, his oncologist team is great, but, when politics get in
the way (plans, policies, etc), you spend more time fighting the bureaucracy than battling the cancer. Sometimes we just are in positions that don't make sense.
I like how some people here say to you "Why are you complaining - you chose the higher deductible, you chose blah blah, you chose to work there.. You chose this .."
Really guys ? I would hate for you or your loved ones to be in a situation that is similar. I've heard the phrase "Well, that's most unfortunate sir" too many times.
Have a little bit of compassion for the OP. He is right on the money - You get married, you follow the rules, you take care of your family the
best way and follow the book to the letter, and yet, you get screwed.. No wonder why Congress has their Cadillac health plans, no wonder why the "poor" work the system. It's just a vicious cycle..
How the hell can We as a Nation go on and on with the international nation building, give billions in aid to other countries, spend monies on studying prostitutes in China..
But not take care of our own? I help strangers, I do my part. I volunteer at homeless shelters, soup kitchens, etc.. As humans, isn't this what we should do?
Bullshit like that, how do we allow it ? Here in Virginia, the Governor requested FEMA aid to flood victims - and was denied. But,
we fund shit like bankrupted energy firms (who provided vapor jobs @ over a million per job) Come on guys, the problem is not with the
OP and his Wife's health issues, it's our politicians fleecing us. By the way, my father and I are still productive members of society.
I suppose our productiveness is measured by the taxes we pay..
Texashiker, I prey and hope your wife gets better. Just take it one day at a time.