Re: [QUAD-L] also, your opinion could help

[Dana Miller]

For a long time I was on Medicare only.  Then noticed Medicaid began to pick 
up things for 3 months if I happened to be in the hospital.  I started 
getting involved in the 'spenddown' just to get my meds paid for.  My 
attendant program is paid by the state--but had to wait 4 years for it.  I 
had private insurance before that.

It took me a few years to figure out what medicaid was and how to use the 
spenddown.  Then my case worker from senior services (a more politically 
correct term, ugh) came to do his yearly review and somehow--I don't 
ask--came up with 6 hours a week for homemaker services.  They come 3 times 
a week for 2 hours.  They do cleaning, shopping and laundry.  I used to have 
to pay my attendants to do that.  Now they can concentrate on my care.

These people come from agencies and I have gone thru a bunch of them!  The 
quality of person they hire is not very good because the pay is low.  The 
good ones move on to better things, or are going to school and just doing 
this for side money and experience.  Also it seems just as you find one you 
like the agency changes their schedule, or theyquit.  Just this month, 2 
good people quit without notice.

Plus I am needing an attendant and its been slim pickings.  One girl who 
really looked good, came for 3 days, then 2 days of excuses then never came 
back.  I just hired a new gal,who I'm not sure
if she is running on all cylinders or not.  Then there are the ones who say 
they want the job then never show up for training.  I have 2 attendants now. 
One is going to Florida for a week in June
so need someone to work while she is gone--the new girl said she would--if 
she lasts that long.

And now Medicaid has changed and I have to pay a premium to it every month 
that is higher than my rent.  Its not written in stone tho, so still don't 
know what will happen eventually.

Dana
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lori Michaelson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Quad" <quad-list@eskimo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2005 6:52 PM
Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] also, your opinion could help

The waiver programs are for those on MediCAID not MediCARE.  For those at,
or near, the poverty level.
Lori
-------Original Message-------
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: 05/10/05 16:31:38
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED];
[EMAIL PROTECTED]; Quad-List@eskimo.com
Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] also, your opinion could help
 I Don't understand this waiver thing-----medicare part A hospital is free
but If I would want Part B i'd have to pay each month for it........So for
now I just use my wife's work insurance, as long as she can keep this job
she hates. Waiver must be for part B if income is very low ??
                                        Dan