Get Becca back on her feet (Literally)

Here it is in Becca’s own words

TLDR: On January 19th - I felt pain that I thought was a kidney infection - over the course of 10 days - I became bedbound indefinitely with unidentifiable pain. After a multitude of tests, doctor visits, and specialty clinics - I still have no answers or pain relief. I'm flat on my back in bed 80% of the time and have so far amassed $9000 in medical bills. After 18 months of unemployment and underemployment - I have exhausted both my own and my community’s resources. Though there is an employment opportunity on the horizon - it still won't begin to cover these bills. I need help to quite literally get back on my feet and hopefully be mobile enough to reengage with my friends and community.

The nitty gritty

From January 22-January 28, I amassed more than $6,000 in medical bills - $3,000 of which were ER copays - which are specifically excluded for financial assistance. I've been told I'm above the income limit and will almost certainly be denied the first time and will need to appeal. I've been approved by the city of Chicago for services such as a personal assistant 4 to 6 hours per week - but until the city passes a budget - everything is on hold. In the interim - I need the help and I need to pay for it on my own. Though there's some variance - this comes to about $600 a month. My new primary care doctor doesn't take insurance - which means that I have to submit the claims myself to get reimbursed. I've been fighting with my insurance company for more than a month and a half to get these claims processed and we still haven't made it through the first visit on February 6. I've currently paid $1,800 out of pocket and I don't know how much I will be covered for each visit because of the processing delay.

Between premiums and reaching my out-of-pocket limit - I'm looking at just shy of $20,000 in medical expenses alone for 2025. This does not account for the at-home assistance, my primary care doctor, or other costs associated with getting basic needs met. I'm also still dealing with crippling medical debt in the neighborhood of $8,000 - which is in addition to the $9,200 towards my out-of-pocket maximum. I've been paying between $400-$900 per month on existing medical debt since 2018 - and haven't been able to come up for air or put anything towards savings.

In the meantime, I'm working with an occupational therapist, physical therapist, pain specialist, and other doctors to see what level of functionality I can get to. Progress has been frustratingly slow as I try to navigate insurance, bureaucracy , and my own physical limitations. I'm at a point where I can't meet my needs on multiple levels and I desperately need help.

I have endless gratitude for the people who have come to visit, helped out with things around the house, and provided much needed emotional support (and laughter). Phone calls, text messages, and memes are always welcome.

Thank you so much!

If you’d like to learn more about me and the situation - read on to the first update.