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Hi , my 45 year old sister suffered a massive stroke in Jan. 2006. She was employed for many years in the Pennsylvania public school system and had Blue cross/Blue shield coverage. Her insurance stopped  6 months after the stroke. She and her family (they were under her insurance) do not have any coverage. She desparately needs therapy. I have been traveling to her home twice a week  ( I live in New Jersey) for the last year and a half to help with her family and try makeshift therapies using kitchen gadgets etc. I have come a long way with her and feel if she was being treated by therapists she could definately recover. She just started receiving social security disability but her family still has to pay a lot for her medication and cannot afford doctors or therapy. Is there someway I can help her receive care? She has a family that needs her. She was a hard worker and good citizen. How can she not receive medical care that she needs to recover and get back to being a mom to her children? Can anyone advise me as to what to do to get her help? Thank you.....Jeannie

Jeannie, I wish I had some good advice for you, but I don't have anything. It's ridiculous that our health insurance is tied to our work in this country. The only thing I can suggest is, if possible, have her husband try to get a job at Starbucks. They have amazing insurance and employee benefits.  Good luck with your sister. It's a tough, tough road.

 

Thanks Liesl for your concern and advice. My sister's husband is presently employed as a superintendant of an apartment complex . This job allows him to work at close proximity and be able to check on her every hour. It is a good thing he has this job as my sister has limited capabilities and could not live on her own. She has come so very far though! I just get so irate that this once hardworking, vibrant mother of three cannot get therapy so she can raise her family. It doesn't make sense....what was she paying into all these years for? Jeannie

You have every reaosn to be irate! I would be in the same situation if it weren't for my husband's job. Get this: I have a friend who just went through a stem cell transplant that was initially approved by her insurance company. When they got the $1,000,000 bill they revoked their approval. Huh? God, I hate the way we have our insurance structured in this country. Does your sister have Medicaid?

Liesl, My brother-in-law was told that she might be able to get medicaid in a couple of months because they have to wait 2 years from the last therapy session she received. Meanwhile in all the literature I've read about strokes, they state that therapy is so crucial in the months following the stroke. If this is so , why are they making her wait 2 years....again it doesn't make sense. Would you ( or anyone ) know if she does get medicaid, would she be able to get therapy, doctors , braces etc. The poor thing has gained weight (from immobility) and the initial brace they fitted her for has become too small and her special sneaker is also very worn. I have ordered various braces ( also very expensive) for her and tried many different sneakers but, alas, they do not do the job. She needs an orthopedic doctor to fit her footwear and brace. I just wish i could help her.....Jeannie

WHAT?! That's ridiculous! I don't know anything about medicare, unfortunately. The good news is, they now know your brain continues to have plasticity even years after strokes. Cold comfort, I know. Also, check out ebay. I got my wheelchair on ebay and it was MUCH cheaper. Even with shipping.

I can totally relate to your sister ,except rhat I had my stroke at the age of 34 in JULY 2005. i also have  3 kids and have not recovered.My girls were 11,12,and 7 at the time. while i am glad to still be here with my family, i have been very frustrated with being able to get health care and rehab since i also lost my blue sheild health insurance through my job with the state of california. i i finally became eligable for medicare in january 2008 so i guess i finally got lucky.good luck to you and your sister. keep your head up.

Melainesol, Thanks for your concern and I'm glad you are getting some help. How were you affected by your stroke and how far have you come if you don't mind me asking? What exactly can you receive from medicare? I'm so glad you are able to type on the computer....I hope to get my sister to do that.....Right now I'm working on her speech. She had no speech at all and now she has a good vocabulary but it is hard for her to put words together. I'm still working on it though.....Thanks, Jeannie