My best friend took in twin boys when they were 12 years old. Their mom died and their dad is a drug addict / bum. She never offically adopted the boys but has been their guardian for the last 5 years. One of the boys has been diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis. He will likely need surgery to repair the valve. My friend has already paid several thousand dollars for medical care because the boys father refuses to help them with getting insurance / medicaid, etc. She can't put them on her plan since they are not "officially" hers. If anyone has any advice or suggestions we would really appreciate it. Thanks for your help!
2007-03-18 14:45:51 · 5 answers · asked by teachbessiec1 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
There are three things that she should know....
1. Most states offer a health insurance program for children of parents who make under a certain amount. See link below, or google "CHIP" and the state name.
2. Call the hospital and work out an arragement to negotiate a better rate. Hospitals are forced to give the US government a discount, so the raise they prices. This price is what is charged to the average patient, but if you contact them they will almost always cut you a discount.
3. She should try to get custody of the children. Since she is not the legal guardian, she can not authorize treatment for the children. She must become their guardian. This will mean going to court.
A state social worker in her area should be able to help with the above.
I wish her the best of luck, she sounds like a saint.
2007-03-18 15:36:48 · answer #1 · answered by tickdhero 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your friend sounds like she has a heart of gold.
Two possible suggestions:
1. Contact the social workers at your local heart surgery hospital. See if they can help.
2. If they are useless, contact a reporter at the local newspaper. This would make a great human interest story. Then maybe a rich philanthropist can help.
Good luck to your friend and kudos to her.
2007-03-18 14:51:45 · answer #2 · answered by ignoramus 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Usually hospitals have social workers who handle this type of stuff. I would call the hospital where the surgery is needed, or talk to the childs doctor to get a referral to a social worker who can set up medicaid. i am pretty sure the father will need to have a say in it though. unless he is not around and then you can be the legal guardian. bottom line....social worker.
2007-03-18 14:50:33 · answer #3 · answered by PharmDiva 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
contact the hospital's social worker and patient advocate to get the ball rolling on this. it may be possible for the child to get medicaid coverage for this one-time event (heart surgery) and follow-up related to it.
2007-03-19 12:10:38 · answer #4 · answered by bad guppy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact either Rileys Childrens Hospitals or Shriners Childrens Hospitals... one of them should be able to assist them...
2007-03-18 14:54:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋