Warning

Anonymous
January 21, 2008 at 9:04 pm

Please be warned that it is very frequent for people to be denied SSI or medicaid the first time they apply. DO NOT DESPAIR. It is, unfortunately, frequently part of the system to limit payment to do this with the hope that people will not appeal. Appeal and gather as much information and get your doctors to advocate for you. Stand firm that you need this. If you get nowhere with one person, ask to speak to another. CIDP is rare and poorly understood.

Sometimes it also helps to talk to a financial planner at the hospital. There are tremendously different prices charged for medications and sometimes you can agree to pay the insurance price for something like IV IgG. Like Brandy, the hospital I went to claimed that the immunoglobulin cost 25-30,000 dollars, but the insurance company paid about $5000. I know the cost was not so much. I am not sure exactly what it is, but if you really need IV IgG, it can help to “contract” to pay an insurance price rather than the much higher one and the hospitals are often happy to get a lower payment paid than a higher charge not paid. I hate to say this is the way medical care is, but it is important for you to know it so that you can protect yourself since you are conscientious.

Regarding whether the doctor would prescribe IV IgG despite the fact you have no insurance, it is possible. Tell him/her your financial concerns and be honest about your situation. If it, however, felt that this is really the best option to limit long term damage and get you back to more functional, try not to say no just based on expense. You are worth it and being aggressive early often does make a long term difference.

Best of luck and speak up.
With hope for a cure of these diseases and less stress associated with their management in the meantime.

warning

Anonymous
December 3, 2006 at 11:48 pm

George has been on my mind too. You feel so utterly helpless when you can’t do anything to help. Maybe George can feel the cyber hugs we send him.

warning

Anonymous
May 27, 2006 at 9:26 pm

George, Illegal immigrants get better care than you. Thought Cleveland Hospital was tops. We can expect Medicaid and Medicare to get worse . It’s not fair what’s happened to you. Thanks for warning. You are in my prayers. Peggy