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Sun, 12/15/2019 - 12:32Hello Everyone, have a question ? I have a son that has been having seizures for the last 10 years and for the last 5 years we have been without my husband . he passed away suddenly in 2014. I'm a widow with 5 children and we lost our home after my husband's passing so have been renting and I've been trying to work flexible jobs so I can be there for my son. He finally ended up in a hospital having a seizure while driving to work. has no license , can't work and now is on disability. but my question is - there were times we were without medical health coverage and my son is 26 now. living with me. he has a very large amount on his credit report showing he owes a large amount of monies to EMS and to the hospital. Is there anything or any special help out there that anyone can tell me about that can help us to possible forgive these large medical payments or lessen the amount owed. any ideas help or suggestions let me know. thank you.
Comments
Hi, Thank you so much for
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2019-12-16 - 09:18
Hi, Thank you so much for posting, it sounds like you all have been through a lot. Michael has offered some fantastic advice and suggestions in his comments for resources that may be able to help you and your son. It may be helpful to contact the hospital your son has received treatment at to inquire about their patient assistance resources. Additionally, you may always to contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, or contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline
I work with patients who have
Submitted by cfield80@gmail.com on Sun, 2019-12-22 - 21:53
I work with patients who have disabilities or elderly waivers through the government, and have access to paid services (homemaker, personal assistant, home modifications, etc). Speak with the hospital's social worker for help filling out the Medicaid paperwork, and assembling what documentation you need. If they can't help, they may know of a free resource that can. Also, large hospitals (and it has to be sizable enough to have an EMU unit) may offer a Community Care financial program. Check into it, negotiate, you may find help.
I'm not sure I understand
Submitted by birdman on Sun, 2019-12-15 - 15:54
I'm not sure I understand what you mean he has a large amount on his credit report. Do you mean he has much assets, or do you mean he owes a lot? If I understand you correctly your son has great medical debts and maybe my story will help.I grew up with parents who were self employed and uninsured. I had seizures all my life and then the opportunity came that doctors maybe were able to do brain surgery. But just the long term EEG monitoring would be unaffordable. What could I do? The hospital had an adviser who suggested I go through the testing and then wait for the first bill from the hospital. Her direction was to then take the high bill to the Department of Social Services and file for Medicaid. There they gave me lots of papers to fill out proving my assets and medical expenses. It's a scary step to take but it worked. This was over thirty years ago and I know the medical care system has changed some but I think the state still would be the one to contact.Your son has medical expenses and if he does not have sufficient assets or income he should qualify for your state's medical insurance. Maybe the hospital your son was at has advisers and / or a program to assist him. And you are at a fine resource with the Epilepsy Foundation. If they have any programs or support someone from there will respond soon.Mike