Things I Never Thought I Would Say...

There are so many to pick from these days.... Things I never thought I would say, “I can’t wait for our Medicaid to get approved.” Yes, that’s right. I received the recommendation to apply for Medicaid through many different sources – therapist, doctors and fellow mito families – so I jumped into action and began the application process.

There is a program called Medically Dependent Child Program (MDCP) which helps you get Medicaid quickly. Usually, it’s a six or seven YEAR wait list for Medicaid, but due to some clause somewhere, kids like Will can apply and get fast tracked to seven or nine MONTHS.

This is a huge deal to me right now because it means we won’t have to worry about how we're going to pay for support devices such as the leg braces, or one day a wheelchair etc. Our medical bills are mounting and while we’re not living in a cardboard box, we don't want to. I have really mixed emotions accepting and applying for Medicaid for Will.

So, why is Medicaid so helpful? For example, the day we had a spinal tap, CAT scan and muscle biopsy done and subsequent lab work, the bill was upwards of $90,000. A large portion of that was covered by insurance. Thank goodness! But, we are responsible for the percentage insurance did not cover. With Medicaid, they pay your balance. It is times like this that make me appreciate the “hand outs” I so often get irritated with hearing others receive. That’s a whole other blog posting and conversation which volleys too far into politics for my taste J

At any rate, we had our site visit with the MDCP case manager and nurse last week and it sounds like we’re going to receive approval in the coming months.

So the kind of creepy weird next step part is that we have to stay overnight at a nursing home. Don’t ask me all the details as to why, but essentially we have to show that Will is medically dependent and will be for the rest of his life.

Things I never thought I would say in light of all that's going on...."we're doing ok."