For those who understand or have been following me through my MS journey, this is the latest. First off, the scheduler called me back the next day after telling me about the doctor schedule changes assured me, she did not give up on my situation and that she contacted the social workers and my neurologist(s). I was hugely impressed and humbled. She did not have to call me back. Score mega points for the neurology department.

Today, I was on the phone with my health insurance for almost 2-1/2 hours today because the neurologist office mentioned insurance covers transportation. I just wanted to make sure that it exists. After being transferred two times and speaking with a licensed insurance agent for Medicare coverage “there is NO transportation coverage in any of the insurance coverages with/for Medicare. Some insurance packages offer only a One-time trip to the doctor for chronic illnesses once a year. I have more than once a year doctor visit.

There are plenty of transportation companies that work with Medicaid. To sign up for Medicaid (which I have at least seven times with nothing changed) comes with an exceptionally large deductible that must be met prior to using Medicare for doctor appointments or transportation. I am on a budgeted income, and I cannot afford the copays. I still wonder to this day why people on disability or poverty level must pay for copays? We barely make ends meet every month with daily expenses of meds, food, rent, utilities etc.

My next plan I think: 1) change neurologists (someone that works on Tuesdays to keep the same MS healthcare team on the same day MCOP travels to Ann Arbor, (2) try to find HUD housing in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area {waiting list is almost 3 years}, (3) move to different state closer to family, or (4) find doctors through Promedica that I had before and suffered greatly from their lack of advocacy and support for things needed. I will lose my medicine that I get monthly for the MS because of healthcare changes.

The story continues…