Bad news for my family

As of December 11th my husband is no longer employed. I have no idea what we are going to do. Unemployment will only do so much and sadly it still leaves us about the $ cutoff for WIC. By the time we pay all our monthly bills though we have nothing left.

No insurance for the kids.......... no Prevacid for the kids, no Zantac for the kids. I do not know what we are going to do.

Just needed to tell someone.. thanks!

 

Gosh, I am so sorry to hear that. What about seeing if one of the Pharma companies will give you some assistance for the meds for the kids?? How about Together RX??

 

:hug99: I am so sorry to hear that! Lots of sympathy and hugs coming your way. :hug99:

 

No, no, no...do not feel such despair!

I say that because I was in the same exact predicament you are in. I think my babies were even the same age as yours are. Here in NY, they have Child Health Plus. It's a State funded insurance plan. It takes some paperwork and you still pay a co-pay that is very small. I was worried that we wouldn't "qualify" since he had been working right up to that point, but was laid off.

I was at my wits end and just called the CHP number and said, "my babies have no insurance and they're due for their vaccinations, etc." Again, it took some paperwork and following up, but they got covered. We weren't, but it got us through for them...which was most important. Now things have turned around and my husband was re-employed, but what a frightening time.

Here, look at this site: http://www.famis.org/ I didn't get a chance to look at it, but it seems to be similar to NY's CHP.

Good luck. There is definetly a way. I hope things work out really soon for you guys. I know how very stressful a time you're in right now.

 

Oh Tammy - I am so sorry to hear that. If you do not qualify for any assistance (which I'm guessing you probably won't if you are above the more generous WIC guidelines), please be sure to call the United Way in your area. They have a wealth of information and resources that may help you through this time.

I worked for the CHP program in our state for many years, and I looked at the link provided by cathmar for the Virginia program, and much like the program in my State, unfortunately, you do not qualify unless you have been without insurance for four months. UGH!

Also, be sure to contact your Dr's office and ask about RX samples (and formula samples if you aren't breast feeding) to help you through!!

Good Luck and Hugs!
Suzi

 

QUOTE(SusieQ @ Nov 27 2007, 07:13 PM) [snapback]511396[/snapback]
unfortunately, you do not qualify unless you have been without insurance for four months. UGH!

I saw that too.....but there's this bit of "foggy" info on the site too..

"A four month waiting period will not apply if any one of the following is true:

The parent or stepparent who had insurance for the child changed jobs or stopped working and no other parent’s employer pays part of the cost for family health insurance. "

Hmm.....I wonder what exactly they mean by that. "Stopped working"....that's some vague language.

 

QUOTE(cathmar @ Nov 27 2007, 06:18 PM) [snapback]511402[/snapback]
I saw that too.....but there's this bit of "foggy" info on the site too..

"A four month waiting period will not apply if any one of the following is true:

The parent or stepparent who had insurance for the child changed jobs or stopped working and no other parent’s employer pays part of the cost for family health insurance. "

Hmm.....I wonder what exactly they mean by that. "Stopped working"....that's some vague language.



That's encouraging - I missed that part in my quick review. Our state has some cryptic exceptions too, but that isn't one of them!! Bottom line Tammy, make no assumptions (like I did!)

 

Oh Tammy, I am so sorry! I would call your ped and let them know what is happening, and see if they can get their drug rep to give you a bunch of samples of the reflux meds, and also formula from their formula rep. :love0028:

 

Tammy, I am so sorry you are going through this. I would take Becky's recommendation and talk to your pedi.

 

Tammy, I feel awful for you guys. :hug99: My DH got laid off when the twins were 5 months old. Right before Christmas. So this is kinda familiar to me.

Anyway, we got ourselves qualified for MassHealth (Medcaid) because of the kids being little, so they were all covered including their meds. I am sure VA has the same Medicard type plan for kids. Being on unemployment will probably allow you to get them enrolled too. Are you working? Sometimes that can be a factor.

And Becky's suggestion -- calling your pedi is good idea too. I hope things get better quick. :hug99:

 

I don't have any advice, but I am so sorry. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. :hug99:

 

We're in a very similar situation right now, so I understand the stress. It is so hard not knowing what's coming next. I know from past experiences that things happen for a reason, and that looking back on hard times I can see how I learned from it , and that things worked out just the way they should....so that's helping us get through this rough patch. I agree with everyone else's suggestions---leave no stone unturned!! There is help out there, we just often don't know where to look. Good luck!

Reyna

 

What about Medi-cal? or Healthy Kids? THere are programs that will cover kids until the age of 18 if the parent can not afford Insurance. I know Kaiser has Child plans.. The state should have Child plans too! Check it out.. Kids matter..

 

Try calling your ped. Every time I take my kids to the doctor for shots, sick, ect., I ask for samples of Prevacid. She gives me 3-4 boxes every time for free. I haven't had to refill a prescription in 3-4 months.

 

I will say a prayer for your family. Please think positive and visualize and daydream as much as you can about the outcome you DO want not the outcome you fear.

 

QUOTE(fuchsiagroan @ Nov 27 2007, 07:03 PM) [snapback]511379[/snapback]
:hug99: I am so sorry to hear that! Lots of sympathy and hugs coming your way. :hug99:



That is an awesome lead. I am going to call them today. This could be huge for us. Cheaper than our co-pays with insurance. Thanks so much!

I am also calling the PED and getting an appointment for the next time my favorite PED is in. I will see what he can do to help with meds and such. They have never really given me anything free though.

Thanks so much everyone!

 

I'm so sorry. It sounds like you've got some good advice. Please ask for those samples from the Ped at least. I know here in PA we have the CHIP program and no child is denied insurance!!

I'll be thinking of you and I hope all works out.

 

we get wic but don't qualify for other help so it has been a struggle and to us our first priority is the family needs car insurance and car payment so we can get to where we need to be etc. check with local pregnancy centers and other resource centers they will help! I am curently doing a program called hope with one of those centers where we meet for a counceling session I can bring my twins to I do bible studies and other essays on topics they give me and they give me fake money I can redeem for stuff with them. they have also given us a gift card for a grocery store when we needed formula. Also infamil will send formula for doing surveys online and if you guys have health insurance see about supplimental medicaid to help with the cost of the perscriptions. Just don't lose hope

 

I would follow the other Posters suggestions...also go to Previcaid.com- I got a card that takes 25$ off each time we fill the script. Plus there was 25$ rebate form on the 'samples' we got (ask your Dr for some- they get ots!!) so for a few months we paid 10$ for a script!

Also contact your local MoMs club or support groups...you would be amazed at what resources you get (from people that work at Dr offices , 'hand down clothes', babysitting for appointments, and wonderful support!).

I will pray for you that it all works out.

 

Try www.PPARx.org; it is a website with almost all the drug companies and help they can give or call 1-888-4PPA-NOW if you don't feel like playing on the 'net!

Maybe that will help some at least with the drug costs, hopefully.

Erica.

 

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is if you're current insurance has the "mail away" prescription plan in which you get a 3 month supply of meds for one co-payment, be sure to get that 3 month supply NOW - that would hold you for awhile while you get things sorted out.

We will be in this situation in late January . . . I am hoping to increase my hours at work so that I will qualify for benefits since our insurance is through DH. He's a teacher, so the likelihood of him finding another job before September is minimal . . . At least none of us takes any medication right now . . .

-Rachel

 

My girls qualifed for Medicaid through the state of Michigan. We don't pay a thing. They were on DH's insurance when he got laid off; all of them continued to be on his insurance for the 6 months he received unemployment. Then, because they LOST their coverage, the girls were able to get on Medicaid without a waiting period. Had he quit his job, or had we chosen to take them off, they would had to wait the 6 months. There's also a plan for a slightly higher income level where you pay $5 a month.

:hug99: and good luck!

 

WOW, I am so so so sorry. Do you qualify for any programs? I would do as much looking as possible. You are in our prayers.

 

I'm so sorry! I know how hard it is to not know how you're going to pay for the next thing that comes along! I lost my job early this month after being cut to part time for 4 weeks. DH is self-employed and hurt his shoulder last month, which made his project lag...which means the money lags too. My unemployment may not kick in for weeks! I know what you're going through. Luckily, we did get qualified for the state health care for the babies and WIC. You should definitely give them a call. Now, how to pay the car payment, rent, insurance, food bills, etc etc...that is a day by day thing for now. I know it will get better. This is a good time for us to reassess our priorities and take a good look at what we want out of life. I'm trying to embrace that part of it while I ignore the phone calls from people who want money. Oh wait...that's easy now...the phone just got shut off for non-payment!! HEHE :blbl: Keep smiling!