Lawmakers Find $21 a Week Doesn't Buy a Lot of Groceries

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by AGDee

Yes, he is disabled and his income is his Social Security Disability. The VA and Worker's Comp both say the other should pay for stuff and it's a big mess. He had old war injuries that weren't debilitating at the time but then after working a physically demanding job for a couple decades, his hips and back and majorly screwed up and he should have hip replacements. It's a pretty major mess. He can't get his pension benefits for another 10 years or so either.

I'm sorry.

I'm a little surprised he has to pay any health related costs since he'd have the VA stuff, but I guess it depends on how long he was in and whether he can receive treatment from them. (Not that just the health costs are the problem.)

I'm also a little surprised that workman's comp would fight it. Was he able to find a lawyer to represent him for free?
I guess he's going to need one.

Does he have family who can help him?

[DolphinChicaDDD]

Congressman Ryan's tired to take his PB&J sandwich past airport security! Tsk tsk tsk...
I just had to share...

As the agent sifted though my bag, I tried to recount what could possibly be in there that was threatening...my mouthwash? Toothpaste? Yeah, it was those two, but it was also my peanut butter and jelly.

Sure enough the very nice TSA agent explained to me the 3-1-1 regulations for liquids....He politely put the peanut butter and jelly to the side, closed my bag and gave it back to me. I was too astonished to talk. I took my bag and walked towards the gate thinking about the 4 or maybe 5 meals that she had taken from me. What am I going to do now? It’s not like I can just go to Safeway and grab another jar. I have .33 cents and a bag of cornmeal to last today and tomorrow.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by DolphinChicaDDD

Congressman Ryan's tired to take his PB&J sandwich past airport security! Tsk tsk tsk...
I just had to share...

As the agent sifted though my bag, I tried to recount what could possibly be in there that was threatening...my mouthwash? Toothpaste? Yeah, it was those two, but it was also my peanut butter and jelly.

Sure enough the very nice TSA agent explained to me the 3-1-1 regulations for liquids....He politely put the peanut butter and jelly to the side, closed my bag and gave it back to me. I was too astonished to talk. I took my bag and walked towards the gate thinking about the 4 or maybe 5 meals that she had taken from me. What am I going to do now? It’s not like I can just go to Safeway and grab another jar. I have .33 cents and a bag of cornmeal to last today and tomorrow.

Ummm...well...because I don't know too many poor people who fly...my suggestion would be...chew those peanuts VEEEERRRRRY slowly!!

BWUUAHHAAHHAHA

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

I'm sorry.

I'm a little surprised he has to pay any health related costs since he'd have the VA stuff, but I guess it depends on how long he was in and whether he can receive treatment from them. (Not that just the health costs are the problem.)

It doesn't necessarily depend on how long he was in--it's more an issue of when. It's still taking some red tape, even now, for Vietnam-era veterans to get benefits. Sometimes it requires referrals and declarations from an outside doctor, which is tough to get if you have no or limited health insurance. The VA benefits can be great, but they're not as easy to get as some people believe.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

It doesn't necessarily depend on how long he was in--it's more an issue of when. It's still taking some red tape, even now, for Vietnam-era veterans to get benefits. Sometimes it requires referrals and declarations from an outside doctor, which is tough to get if you have no or limited health insurance. The VA benefits can be great, but they're not as easy to get as some people believe.

In reality, few insurance benefits are easy to get as some people believe. For example, when I worked in mental health and someone's insurance company said they had to leave an inpatient psych unit after 5 days, they would say "But my policy says I get 30 days". They didn't realize that you only get as many days as they decide you need. If someone documents in your chart that you smiled when you are supposed to be depressed then BAM, you're outta there.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by AGDee

In reality, few insurance benefits are easy to get as some people believe. For example, when I worked in mental health and someone's insurance company said they had to leave an inpatient psych unit after 5 days, they would say "But my policy says I get 30 days". They didn't realize that you only get as many days as they decide you need. If someone documents in your chart that you smiled when you are supposed to be depressed then BAM, you're outta there.

But, isn't your story more an example of people not properly reading their policies? Mine clearly states that I have a 30 day MAXIMUM for inpatient mental health care as determined by a physician. People do this all the time--for example, thinking they have a $15 copay on all of their doctor visits, when it's really the only ones in-network.

Most people think you can just mosey up to a VA hospital and get full benefits when that is hardly the case. However, I doubt many people think that they're going to get the full benefits from their HMO/PPO.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

But, isn't your story more an example of people not properly reading their policies? Mine clearly states that I have a 30 day MAXIMUM for inpatient mental health care as determined by a physician. People do this all the time--for example, thinking they have a $15 copay on all of their doctor visits, when it's really the only ones in-network.

You and I read our policies - and in fact I've read TONS of policies (but then again, being HR for my company, it's my job). But the average person does not. Especially the fine print like "as determined by a physician".

[AGDee]

The other phrase I find interesting is "80% of the expected and usual cost" or something like that. It's not 80% of what your doc charges, it's 80% of what they think most docs should charge...

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by AGDee

In reality, few insurance benefits are easy to get as some people believe. For example, when I worked in mental health and someone's insurance company said they had to leave an inpatient psych unit after 5 days, they would say "But my policy says I get 30 days". They didn't realize that you only get as many days as they decide you need. If someone documents in your chart that you smiled when you are supposed to be depressed then BAM, you're outta there.

What is sad about this, the insurance companies do this in many cases and not just in this feild!

I have seen many expos on National TV who do this. They are there to make $$$$$$


Wonder who has many big money lobbiests to take care of this?

Scratch mine and I will scratch yours!

[Tom Earp]

$21.00 a month, according to some twits, my booze bill is higher than this!

But, if one is able to do this even with one person a month should be considered the Mother or Father of the year!!

Even if single and one wants something nice, well, the fat foods are cheeper.

So, I cannot have shrimp or filet mignon, I have to try and buy enough Mac, Cheese and tuna fish to add to it?

Oh, try Raman noodles, add water! So will not do that! I want my stomach to survive!

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

$21.00 a month, according to some twits, my booze bill is higher than this!

This line is awesome - I'm lol'ing

[elusive47]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

$21.00 a month, according to some twits, my booze bill is higher than this!

But, if one is able to do this even with one person a month should be considered the Mother or Father of the year!!

Even if single and one wants something nice, well, the fat foods are cheeper.

So, I cannot have shrimp or filet mignon, I have to try and buy enough Mac, Cheese and tuna fish to add to it?

Oh, try Raman noodles, add water! So will not do that! I want my stomach to survive!

Huh? What are you saying? Why does everything you write sound like somethig Grandpa Simpson would say?