Fund for heart medical tests/bills
Donation protected
After hearing my story, friends urged me to create this GoFundMe to help with this complicated and unexpected situation that my health, my insurance and my job have left me in. Perhaps you'd be kind enough to assist...
Short version (skip ahead if you want full details and full transparency, or clarification about anything mentioned in the following...):
Started to feel ill in Mid-June. Doctors kept me out of my job until I'm diagnosed for fear of having a stroke. I have a super high deductible, so they want me to pay hundreds of dollars each out of pocket before I can have each test and are unwilling to make payment arrangements. I also owe a couple hundred dollars for my cardiologist visit. I am no longer receiving income from my job as a result of not being allowed to go back until I'm diagnosed. (I've been kept away from my job for a month and a half.) Therefore, I can not pay to have these tests done for my heart health. The Doctors can't diagnose me or clear me to go back to my job until I have these tests. I don't have the money to pay for these tests to be diagnosed. It's a vicious cycle. Add to that that my insurance is getting paid for out of a very small stipend from short term disability, but will be stopping if I don't get them updated medical paperwork, which I can't get if I don't have the tests I can't afford to have. (Another vicious cycle.) I'm working side jobs (with permission from HR & short term disability, adhering to Drs restrictions) to help pay my essential normal monthly bills like rent, water, power, car, etc. Not everything is getting paid all the time, but Im getting by. But I certainly don't have anything left over to put money towards these tests to get me out of this situation. If I can't get cleared soon, not only will I lose my position, but my insurance as well and my health problems will go on undiagnosed and unfixed. (Skip ahead to "What it's all for" unless you want the full explanation of what is going on.)
Long version... A full explanation of everything. What I've experienced with my health, my job, my doctors, my insurance company and the short term disability company. This will probably make you furious.
The first few days...
While at work as a backroom supervisor in a major retail chain, I started not feeling too well. I was feeling weak and woozy on and off throughout the day, but I toughed it out and finished my shift. This was June, 14, 2016.
The following day, as I was literally about to leave home to go to work, I started feeling weak and woozy again, but this time worse. I called out from work and ended up going to Urgent Care, staying there for several hours. My blood pressure was "elevated". I had 2 EKGs that came back abnormal and I was treated for mild dehydration. The Doctor wanted me to take the rest of the week off, monitor my blood pressure and follow up with a Cardiologist.
The third day, I started feeling far worse and ended up back in the Urgent Care. I had another abnormal EKG taken and my blood pressure was even higher. The Doctor was even more concerned, not wanting me to go back into that high stress work environment in that condition. He wanted me out of work until the Cardiologist cleared me to go back, for fear of me having a stroke (I haven't been allowed back to my job since. More on that later.).
The Cardiologist
A week later, I saw the cardiologist. He immediately put me on High Blood Pressure medication and was irate that I hadn't been put on anything by the other Doctors. He was also extremely concerned about my heart because of the 3 abnormal EKGs and the quick checkup he performed on me. He was also concerned about the mild chest pains that I was having daily since the previous week. He ordered a bunch of test appointments to see what else is wrong.
Here's where it starts to go sideways...
At the end of the visit, I unexpectedly found out my copay was $208! I did not have enough $ left from my last paycheck after paying my bills to pay that, expecting a much smaller copay. (I still owe them for the visit.)
I was also notified after scheduling some of the appts. that because of my insurance I have to pay large upfront fees before my tests. (After looking into this I discovered that my work provided health insurance deductible was $2750!)
I was forced to cancel my echocardiogram appointment (the first of the tests) as they refused to make payment arrangements and wanted $240 upfront to get the test. That wasn't even the most expensive of the tests ordered. I had to cancel each scheduled test as they refused to make payment arrangements and wanted the money upfront. That, and I had to sign contracts that if I didn't cancel before a certain amount of time that I would be responsible for part of the cost of the procedure. (One of which would have cost me $600 alone).
As far as going back to my job, I was supposed to be out until the cardiologist cleared me, per what my initial Doctors had said. When I tried to find out from the Cardiologist whether I needed to go on short term disability or go back to work, he repeatedly outright refused to discuss it either way. He just kept saying, "I'm more worried about your heart, not about that." I then talked to HR at my job and they confirmed that I couldnt come back until one of my doctors signed off.
Primary Care
A week after seeing the Cardiologist (and 2 weeks since the beginning), I was finally able to see a Primary Care Physician. There wasn't much he could do for me since none of the tests I needed had been done, but it was a necessary appointment. He at least took the time to explain what was abnormal about my EKGs, telling me that 2 of my heart valves weren't giving the proper electrical responses. Since I wasn't cleared to go back until cardiology cleared me and I haven't been able to have the tests to diagnose if it was a major or minor concern... And also that I was still experiencing mild chest pains daily, he did not want me to go back to my job. After begging and pleading with him about my situation, he reluctantly allowed me to go back with restrictions. Unfortunately, because it wasn't a workers compensation case, my job would not allow me to return with any restrictions. This Doctor, did however fill out my short term disability paperwork that the Cardiologist refused to even discuss. I had to pay $72 out of pocket for this visit (someone without insurance would have paid $80, which makes me wonder why I have the insurance in the first place).
Since then
That was the last medical visit I was able to go to. I had to cancel a follow up cardiology appointment because, not only did I not have the money for the visit, but I hadn't been able to have any of the tests that I was supposed to have done before the appointment. Because I wasn't able to have the tests, I have not been able to be diagnosed. Without being diagnosed, I have not been cleared to go back to my job. Without money coming in, I can't pay for any of the procedures to get diagnosed, let alone pay my normal bills like rent, power, car insurance, etc. It's a vicious cycle.
My pay, my job and short term disability
I was allowed to use my Personal Time Off for the remainder of the first week and the entire second week that I was out from work. I'm not allowed to use any PTO after that per company policy. I still have 43 hours remaining plus a little additional legacy sick time and personal time, that I'm not allowed to use now.
Because the Cardiologist wouldn't discuss the short term disability paperwork, I had to wait until I saw the primary care before it was filled out. That delayed any payments an entire pay period. It was finally approved, but the disability company only approved it for the period of time from June 22-June 30. So after a month of not receiving any income from my employer (month since my last paycheck with PTO), I received a measly $194 after my current and back health insurance payments were taken out. That promptly got spent on an important bill that needed to be paid ASAP.
The vicious catch 22 cycle I'm currently in
So the disability company needs updated medical paperwork in order to approve me for more time out and more money received. I can't get that paperwork until the Doctors fill it out. I can't see the Doctors because I don't have the money for the visits or the required tests needed in order for them to diagnose me to either go back to work or have my short term disability extended. Without the short term disability, my insurance premiums don't get paid which means I have to pay full price for my High Blood Pressure meds and I have no coverage (although with the super high deductible, I wonder what other good the insurance is doing me now). Without being cleared to go back to my job, I don't have my regular income coming in. That means I can't pay for the tests and the cycle starts over again (and that's not even taking into consideration my normal essential monthly bills like rent, water, power, car, etc).
The only positive from this is that I have recently been ok'd by both the short term disability provider and my jobs HR to be able to make side income as long as it adheres to my Doctor's restrictions. So I have taken work that fits the restrictions in order to be able to maintain my regular bills the best that I can. I am living paycheck to paycheck, even more so than I was originally, so that I don't lose my home, can drive my car, keep my power on, etc. It's a struggle without the pay from my original position. That still leaves me with the problem of being able to pay for the tests that I need in order to get diagnosed so that I can either get fixed or get cleared to go back to work.
Also the longer this goes on, the less likely it is that I'll be able to return to my supervisor position, as they only have to hold it for 12 weeks from the original date out (June 15th, 2016). After that I'd have to go on long term disability. However, if I don't get my disability extended past August 5th, because of not being diagnosed, I will be forced out of my job as I will not be cleared to return to work nor be approved to stay on disability.
What it's all for
All money collected from this will go towards getting the tests needed to diagnose me and paying outstanding medical bills and upcoming medical bills as a result of having the tests (follow up appts, etc). I have set the goal amount for the amount of my deductible. After that, my insurance will start to pay a portion as long as I pay to maintain my coverage either from the short term disability or out of pocket if it is denied after August 5th.
I plan to continue to pay my monthly bills out of my side work unless that becomes impossible. If I get all of my medical bills taken care of moving forward and there is a remaining GoFundMe balance, I will donate what's left to others on GoFundMe who also need it for medical reasons.
Thank you for your consideration and taking the time to read my story. God bless.
Short version (skip ahead if you want full details and full transparency, or clarification about anything mentioned in the following...):
Started to feel ill in Mid-June. Doctors kept me out of my job until I'm diagnosed for fear of having a stroke. I have a super high deductible, so they want me to pay hundreds of dollars each out of pocket before I can have each test and are unwilling to make payment arrangements. I also owe a couple hundred dollars for my cardiologist visit. I am no longer receiving income from my job as a result of not being allowed to go back until I'm diagnosed. (I've been kept away from my job for a month and a half.) Therefore, I can not pay to have these tests done for my heart health. The Doctors can't diagnose me or clear me to go back to my job until I have these tests. I don't have the money to pay for these tests to be diagnosed. It's a vicious cycle. Add to that that my insurance is getting paid for out of a very small stipend from short term disability, but will be stopping if I don't get them updated medical paperwork, which I can't get if I don't have the tests I can't afford to have. (Another vicious cycle.) I'm working side jobs (with permission from HR & short term disability, adhering to Drs restrictions) to help pay my essential normal monthly bills like rent, water, power, car, etc. Not everything is getting paid all the time, but Im getting by. But I certainly don't have anything left over to put money towards these tests to get me out of this situation. If I can't get cleared soon, not only will I lose my position, but my insurance as well and my health problems will go on undiagnosed and unfixed. (Skip ahead to "What it's all for" unless you want the full explanation of what is going on.)
Long version... A full explanation of everything. What I've experienced with my health, my job, my doctors, my insurance company and the short term disability company. This will probably make you furious.
The first few days...
While at work as a backroom supervisor in a major retail chain, I started not feeling too well. I was feeling weak and woozy on and off throughout the day, but I toughed it out and finished my shift. This was June, 14, 2016.
The following day, as I was literally about to leave home to go to work, I started feeling weak and woozy again, but this time worse. I called out from work and ended up going to Urgent Care, staying there for several hours. My blood pressure was "elevated". I had 2 EKGs that came back abnormal and I was treated for mild dehydration. The Doctor wanted me to take the rest of the week off, monitor my blood pressure and follow up with a Cardiologist.
The third day, I started feeling far worse and ended up back in the Urgent Care. I had another abnormal EKG taken and my blood pressure was even higher. The Doctor was even more concerned, not wanting me to go back into that high stress work environment in that condition. He wanted me out of work until the Cardiologist cleared me to go back, for fear of me having a stroke (I haven't been allowed back to my job since. More on that later.).
The Cardiologist
A week later, I saw the cardiologist. He immediately put me on High Blood Pressure medication and was irate that I hadn't been put on anything by the other Doctors. He was also extremely concerned about my heart because of the 3 abnormal EKGs and the quick checkup he performed on me. He was also concerned about the mild chest pains that I was having daily since the previous week. He ordered a bunch of test appointments to see what else is wrong.
Here's where it starts to go sideways...
At the end of the visit, I unexpectedly found out my copay was $208! I did not have enough $ left from my last paycheck after paying my bills to pay that, expecting a much smaller copay. (I still owe them for the visit.)
I was also notified after scheduling some of the appts. that because of my insurance I have to pay large upfront fees before my tests. (After looking into this I discovered that my work provided health insurance deductible was $2750!)
I was forced to cancel my echocardiogram appointment (the first of the tests) as they refused to make payment arrangements and wanted $240 upfront to get the test. That wasn't even the most expensive of the tests ordered. I had to cancel each scheduled test as they refused to make payment arrangements and wanted the money upfront. That, and I had to sign contracts that if I didn't cancel before a certain amount of time that I would be responsible for part of the cost of the procedure. (One of which would have cost me $600 alone).
As far as going back to my job, I was supposed to be out until the cardiologist cleared me, per what my initial Doctors had said. When I tried to find out from the Cardiologist whether I needed to go on short term disability or go back to work, he repeatedly outright refused to discuss it either way. He just kept saying, "I'm more worried about your heart, not about that." I then talked to HR at my job and they confirmed that I couldnt come back until one of my doctors signed off.
Primary Care
A week after seeing the Cardiologist (and 2 weeks since the beginning), I was finally able to see a Primary Care Physician. There wasn't much he could do for me since none of the tests I needed had been done, but it was a necessary appointment. He at least took the time to explain what was abnormal about my EKGs, telling me that 2 of my heart valves weren't giving the proper electrical responses. Since I wasn't cleared to go back until cardiology cleared me and I haven't been able to have the tests to diagnose if it was a major or minor concern... And also that I was still experiencing mild chest pains daily, he did not want me to go back to my job. After begging and pleading with him about my situation, he reluctantly allowed me to go back with restrictions. Unfortunately, because it wasn't a workers compensation case, my job would not allow me to return with any restrictions. This Doctor, did however fill out my short term disability paperwork that the Cardiologist refused to even discuss. I had to pay $72 out of pocket for this visit (someone without insurance would have paid $80, which makes me wonder why I have the insurance in the first place).
Since then
That was the last medical visit I was able to go to. I had to cancel a follow up cardiology appointment because, not only did I not have the money for the visit, but I hadn't been able to have any of the tests that I was supposed to have done before the appointment. Because I wasn't able to have the tests, I have not been able to be diagnosed. Without being diagnosed, I have not been cleared to go back to my job. Without money coming in, I can't pay for any of the procedures to get diagnosed, let alone pay my normal bills like rent, power, car insurance, etc. It's a vicious cycle.
My pay, my job and short term disability
I was allowed to use my Personal Time Off for the remainder of the first week and the entire second week that I was out from work. I'm not allowed to use any PTO after that per company policy. I still have 43 hours remaining plus a little additional legacy sick time and personal time, that I'm not allowed to use now.
Because the Cardiologist wouldn't discuss the short term disability paperwork, I had to wait until I saw the primary care before it was filled out. That delayed any payments an entire pay period. It was finally approved, but the disability company only approved it for the period of time from June 22-June 30. So after a month of not receiving any income from my employer (month since my last paycheck with PTO), I received a measly $194 after my current and back health insurance payments were taken out. That promptly got spent on an important bill that needed to be paid ASAP.
The vicious catch 22 cycle I'm currently in
So the disability company needs updated medical paperwork in order to approve me for more time out and more money received. I can't get that paperwork until the Doctors fill it out. I can't see the Doctors because I don't have the money for the visits or the required tests needed in order for them to diagnose me to either go back to work or have my short term disability extended. Without the short term disability, my insurance premiums don't get paid which means I have to pay full price for my High Blood Pressure meds and I have no coverage (although with the super high deductible, I wonder what other good the insurance is doing me now). Without being cleared to go back to my job, I don't have my regular income coming in. That means I can't pay for the tests and the cycle starts over again (and that's not even taking into consideration my normal essential monthly bills like rent, water, power, car, etc).
The only positive from this is that I have recently been ok'd by both the short term disability provider and my jobs HR to be able to make side income as long as it adheres to my Doctor's restrictions. So I have taken work that fits the restrictions in order to be able to maintain my regular bills the best that I can. I am living paycheck to paycheck, even more so than I was originally, so that I don't lose my home, can drive my car, keep my power on, etc. It's a struggle without the pay from my original position. That still leaves me with the problem of being able to pay for the tests that I need in order to get diagnosed so that I can either get fixed or get cleared to go back to work.
Also the longer this goes on, the less likely it is that I'll be able to return to my supervisor position, as they only have to hold it for 12 weeks from the original date out (June 15th, 2016). After that I'd have to go on long term disability. However, if I don't get my disability extended past August 5th, because of not being diagnosed, I will be forced out of my job as I will not be cleared to return to work nor be approved to stay on disability.
What it's all for
All money collected from this will go towards getting the tests needed to diagnose me and paying outstanding medical bills and upcoming medical bills as a result of having the tests (follow up appts, etc). I have set the goal amount for the amount of my deductible. After that, my insurance will start to pay a portion as long as I pay to maintain my coverage either from the short term disability or out of pocket if it is denied after August 5th.
I plan to continue to pay my monthly bills out of my side work unless that becomes impossible. If I get all of my medical bills taken care of moving forward and there is a remaining GoFundMe balance, I will donate what's left to others on GoFundMe who also need it for medical reasons.
Thank you for your consideration and taking the time to read my story. God bless.
Organizer
Steve Fernino
Organizer
Leesburg, FL