STRESS! (a venting session)

My surgery is in 12 days! Holy crap that's soon!

I'm still really excited about it, but getting down to just days before my surgery and I'm starting to feel more stress about it. Wondering what things are going to be like afterwards, if I'm really going to have the help at home that I thought I was (because lately, I'm the only one who can do anything), wondering who's going to watch my daughter on surgery day, if my sister in law is going to show up at the hospital and start crap with my sister. Wondering how we are going to pay our bills after my hubby takes 5 unpaid days off work to be here for me during/after surgery but appreciating that time too.

But, as if the whole surgery thing wasn't stressful enough, I have to worry about my 2 year old having a possible bowel resection in the next week because she swallowed a quarter a little more than a week ago and still hasn't passed it. Plus I have to worry about all of these medical costs NOT being covered because my caseworker at human services hasn't processed my recertification packet for Medicaid in the more than two weeks she's had it! My HMO already pre-authorized my surgery, so I'm hoping that saves me. I've been told they have 30 days to process that paperwork. My question is, if it takes them 30 days to process it, why don't they tell you it's due 30 days before your coverage expires instead of ONE day before your coverage expires? I thought I was ensuring continuous coverage by turning my paperwork in EARLY! UGH!

And to this huge pile of stress, you can also add schoolwork, housework, and every day crap :(

Feeling like I'm ready for a mental breakdown at any moment! On the bright side, I have PAT tomorrow at the hospital. One step closer.... maybe.

I found I did not need my husband's help at home after surgery.  Maybe you will be as lucky and he can go back to work.  Also, the days that I was in the hospital (with the exception of surgery day, of course) he was not at the hospital as he was at home with the kids.  As for the medicaid, I believe you are entitled to a ten day notice before services are discontinued.  If you have not been sent a discontinuance notice there should be no interruption in your services.  I know in this state notices are sent at least thirty days before the certification ends.  If your services ARE terminated you should be able to appeal and during the appeal process you should be entitled to continuing services with the understanding that if you lose your appeal you could owe for services paid.

Good luck!  I am sure things will work out just fine and you will get through your surgery w/ flying colors.

 Wishing you all the best.  I actually only had my husband take off the day of my surgery.  I had him work the following day and pick me up when they released me.  I didn't really need any help and he was able to look after our three kids in the evenings.  Is it possible for your husband to cancel some of his days off (of course only if you are doing well).

I got no notice that services were discontinued. I received my recertification papers that said they were due by 8/31/11. Again, I turned them in more than 2 weeks ago thinking I was ahead of the game.

Because my daughter and I were approved for Medicaid at the same time, and I found out from her primary doctor today that HER Medicaid was listed as inactive, it is safe to assume that mine is inactive as well.

I will be covered for the whole month of September as long as I am reapproved sometime this month, but here's another wondering...

Will I have coverage under State medicaid or under the HMO plan that I was signed up with when I got my approval?

It's all so much, guys, I don't know what to do... :(

It might be worth a call to your worker just to let him/her know that you have a planned surgery scheduled.  I did that job for a few years and the amount of work each person is expected to do is impossible at times.  I did have times when I had to prioritize and I tried to shuffle things around to accommodate situations like yours.  Another option might be to call your HMO and let them know that you turned your paperwork in two weeks before the worker asked for it and it is still not processed.  I know the plan that we work with in the county that I am employed by would be on any worker that didn't have paperwork processed for someone preapproved for surgery.  A quick call to the supervisor of the worker might also help.  No to complain but rather to explain your situation and ask if he/she has any suggestions for you.

Again, good luck.  This is a very stressful time and the added stress of surgery makes things so much more difficult to deal with.