gimmethesimplelife
5-8-14, 11:46am
So....it looks like I do have insurance. Two days ago I spoke to DES who told me that I was not in their system as qualifying for Medicaid as my proof of income was not exactly up to their standards. I asked them why then does the Medicaid HMO say I am a current in their system and that I do have coverage? After setting up a fair hearing date for me on June 18th, I was told to call the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, or AHCCCS as we call it here - the state Medicaid Agency. I was told if they say I have coverage, I do have coverage, and I could then cancel my fair hearing. So I called the state Medicaid people and yes, they say I do have coverage. I still don't understand DES and why I have went through all this drama but whatever.....my recent hospital stay will be covered it seems. Big breath of relief on that one.
I still don't know what all to make of this but I am seeing things differently now. During this entire process it has seemed to me that essentially no one really knew what was going on and I was often told incorrect information. I'm seeing government aid programs differently now, that's for sure. Will I continue to use the card? I have debated that one over and over in my head and what I am coming up with is that if it is life and death, yes, I will. If it isn't - I'm going to Mexico going forward. It's cheap, clean, and once you pay for your medical services in cash (did I say it was incredibly cheap?) that's it - no bills, no drama, no fear of insurance or government agencies to potentially dog your every step.
Please don't anyone misunderstand me - I am grateful that my ducts were cleared of gallstones on Medicaid's dime. I'm grateful that my friend Marissa had her tumor removed. I'm grateful that many servers I know can now actually access health care whereas before for many this was not realistic unless crossing the border. But this whole process, for me anyway? I think I'm best off just detaching from American politics altogether and minimizing my exposure to American health care. That's my take anyway.
Something else interesting is that as I was being released from the hospital, I was given a sheet of paper with some future appointments on it. Turns out the gastrointerologist I was scheduled for was not in network - me being me, I called to confirm everyone was in network from my room at the hospital before even checking out. Yet another reason to embrace Mexican medical care - no triple checking if everyone is in network and no worries of clerical errors causing huge bills - you just pay and you are done.
I'm really glad though to be covered - for the past few weeks I have felt like a cornered animal due to using the Medicaid card - I'm glad that seems to be resolved now. I've also been hating myself for not going to Mexico in the first place but I'm letting that go now, too - live and learn, I guess. What is interesting to me is that my politics seem to be shifting a little here as a result of this and my take overall continues to be one that would be "unique" to many. Rob
PS There's positives here, too. I am really working on changing my diet and as a result, I do feel slightly less foggy and more energetic already. And I'm also realizing too that I have to put self care much higher on my list of priorities than I have in the past.
I still don't know what all to make of this but I am seeing things differently now. During this entire process it has seemed to me that essentially no one really knew what was going on and I was often told incorrect information. I'm seeing government aid programs differently now, that's for sure. Will I continue to use the card? I have debated that one over and over in my head and what I am coming up with is that if it is life and death, yes, I will. If it isn't - I'm going to Mexico going forward. It's cheap, clean, and once you pay for your medical services in cash (did I say it was incredibly cheap?) that's it - no bills, no drama, no fear of insurance or government agencies to potentially dog your every step.
Please don't anyone misunderstand me - I am grateful that my ducts were cleared of gallstones on Medicaid's dime. I'm grateful that my friend Marissa had her tumor removed. I'm grateful that many servers I know can now actually access health care whereas before for many this was not realistic unless crossing the border. But this whole process, for me anyway? I think I'm best off just detaching from American politics altogether and minimizing my exposure to American health care. That's my take anyway.
Something else interesting is that as I was being released from the hospital, I was given a sheet of paper with some future appointments on it. Turns out the gastrointerologist I was scheduled for was not in network - me being me, I called to confirm everyone was in network from my room at the hospital before even checking out. Yet another reason to embrace Mexican medical care - no triple checking if everyone is in network and no worries of clerical errors causing huge bills - you just pay and you are done.
I'm really glad though to be covered - for the past few weeks I have felt like a cornered animal due to using the Medicaid card - I'm glad that seems to be resolved now. I've also been hating myself for not going to Mexico in the first place but I'm letting that go now, too - live and learn, I guess. What is interesting to me is that my politics seem to be shifting a little here as a result of this and my take overall continues to be one that would be "unique" to many. Rob
PS There's positives here, too. I am really working on changing my diet and as a result, I do feel slightly less foggy and more energetic already. And I'm also realizing too that I have to put self care much higher on my list of priorities than I have in the past.