Equipment donations?

#1 06-16-2005, 09:54 AM

O, I'm a bit scared at the moment. We got our first bill for equipment and supplies and its twice as much as my mortgage. I have to apply for medicaid and my insurance doesnt give enough to cover the first month. Does anyone know where you can find out about getting and equipment or supplies donated to you? The oximeter alone is $400/month and $4000 if we want to buy it. I found cheaper places online but they don't charge your insurance. This is insane. I could buy two more houses for this much.

Zoe's Mom · #2 06-16-2005, 10:03 AM

Our medicaid was back dated-we were "pre-approved" and it covered everything from the date we got home and forward. It took a long time for everything to get processed, so we were able to call the companies billing us and they waited until we got our medicaid number. Maybe check into that.

In our state (WI) some counties have funds sent aside for medical expenses if you write a propsal. It's through the Birth-Three Program (developmental program with PT, OT, ST and a developmental teacher, through the county). It might be worth checking into.

Good Luck!
Lora

#3 06-16-2005, 02:55 PM

I agree that you have to apply for medicaid. That's the only way you will be able to make it. Our insurance did not cover "disposable" supplies - well, all the supplies are disposable!! They did cover the pulse-ox, compressor, heater, etc. Near as I can tell, Medicaid helped out with everything else. Thank God!!

Melisande · #4 06-16-2005, 03:27 PM

Yes, it will eat you alive in costs. 2 suggestions: (since I don't know what state you live in) do 2 google searches on:

*Early Intervention Services (for your state), you will need them and they may provide (at no or little cost) equipment and definitely OT, PT, ST, etc. Some even provide some nursing depending on the state. It's a federally funded program that matches states. Every state has one currently.

*Medicaid Waivers (for your state). Some states automatically cover children with major medical issues. You may not even have to meet a income guideline.

Caryn is right, they can back pay to the time you filed for insurance. Has no one helped you with this prior? If they haven't, they should have!

If you have specific questions about your state, there's probably someone on the board who's been there, done that. We've all freaked out at various points in time! Hang in there!

angelbaby · #5 06-16-2005, 05:39 PM

if you live in tx, you proberly won't get any help. medicaid and ssi both have income guidelines of about 36,000 or less for a family of 4 and the all you can do is go on the waiver wait list, we have been number 5000 and something for over a year now. we got a social work consult from eci when we came home and she basically said if you can afford a home you won't get any help. no one at the hosp told me anything about ssi or medicaid when he was born. it does suck, but there is nothing you can do. one lady at the state office actually suggested putting my son in a home for a couple of days and then get him out so i could get medicaid benefits, i was shocked at this suggestion, as i would sell everything i have and still not do that. i would never do anything like that to any of my kids or family members .i couldn't believe this was the advise that she giving to parents. unfortunatly tx is one of worst states for special needs kids. i hope you live in better state. good luck

Zoe's Mom · #6 06-16-2005, 05:44 PM

What state do you live in? We live in WI and benefits for families with special needs are great-for the most part there are no income requirements.

angelbaby · #7 06-16-2005, 06:16 PM

texas

#8 06-16-2005, 06:17 PM

I live in NY. I spoke with the medicaid office today and there are two waivers I can fill out, but I still don't understand it all. I have an appointment July 7th to go in so we shall see. I just got her SSN so I'm going to try and apply for SSI soon. I'm looking into equipment donations, I can handle the disposables, but $400/mo for an oximeter I can by online for 300-600, I don' think so.

Whitney · #9 06-16-2005, 06:57 PM

We live in Colorado. We didnt financially qualify for Medicaid/SSI and had to apply for the Waiver. There is a 5 yr waitlist in Colorado. We were very fortunate to get our application expedited to the top due to Alex being on a vent in the hospital. Otherwise, we would have been in BIG trouble. Our old insurance company didnt cover about 50% of our monthly trach supplies. Medicaid was backdated and they did cover everything accordingly. Make sure you inquire about any waitlists on the waiver programs and how you can get your application expedited. We were very fortunate to have met a wonderful caseworker in the hospital that made sure we followed all the right steps to get the Waiver expedition approved. Best wishes to you!!

Whitney

Whitney · #10 06-16-2005, 07:01 PM

Something else to consider...

UHC was denying our disposable supplies based off the procedure codes being submitted by Apria. However, I ordered some of our trach supplies from our G-tube DME company stating they were "g-tube supplies" and UHC covered those supplies since they were using different procedure codes. Again, you have to be discreet, but maybe this is an idea for you to consider....

Good luck!!

Whitney