WishI found POZ when first diagnosed

[?]

   I've been poz for a year and one half. I wish I had gotten some advise from this site, although reading all this great info makes me wonder why I have so much trouble getting help? Apparently I had the disease for about 6 years before being diagnosed-as poz. I was getting sick for over a year but had no insurance so by the time I went to the hospital I was in rough shape,after a nice two week stay in the hospital I was given a list of places to go to get help with doc's and meds.I was on the border of AIDS. I was scared for me and my wife. Who eventually got tested and was - { THANK GOD!}.So anyway the list they gave me was totally useless.Well any way after six months of no work and no money{still not able to work}. I'm tottally screwed now.I've been on medicaid and it's been one big pain in the ass after another.Sorry to ramble but I can"t tell anyone out of respect to my wife of 28 years.Well Medicaid didn't pay one of my bills and the only ID doc in town refused to see me my last appointment I hve six months to hit medicaid and then I'm hoping things get better.So who helps the poorer people deal wth the massive expense dealing with all this? Lower middle class income people just over the poverty limits and lower class income people who have nothing.I know a lot of money goes to prevention and research. So I guess I want to know why there is no type of grants for peple living with this terrible disease? It would seem to me that some body would have filled this void.

[dusty99]

I certainly feel for you, however; I couldn't even begin to tell you where to look, other than if you ever served for more than 2 years in the Military and were honorably discharged, you do have that, I know this because that is how I am being treated. I certainly understand the financial thing, as I am very near your situation at the moment, I have not been sick, but I made drastic changes in my life and financially I am in deep. Sorry to hear about the list of places that are supposed to be there to help you were not. Hopefully someone who would know more about help agencies will come along shortly to advise you. The only other thing I could add is check into the local Aids Service Organization (I think that is what they are called) and see if they may be able to guide you a little better.

D

[Miss Philicia]

"?" -- if you'd state in your profile or this thread where you live perhaps you'll find someone close by that can give you some recommendations about where to seek help.

[?]

  I am still learning how to communcate by cumputor. I only e-mail and read normally but I am in SouthFla. PBC


                                                                        Thank You

[pacerintl]

I just noticed you are in Florida, check out Aids Healthcare Foundation...http://www.aidshealth.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=715&Itemid=267, the Florida office locations are located futher down the page at the link.

[pacerintl]

In regards to dealing with AHF, just give them a call at 24 Hour Customer Service: 800-832-0778.
You will also see things that refer to Positive Healthcare...this is also part of AHF.

[dgr20002]

if you ever served for more than 2 years in the Military and were honorably discharged, you do have that, I know this because that is how I am being treated. D

WOW.  I don't mean to but in here but please elaborate on this.  I was in the volunteer Army from 1979-1982 active duty and then in the inactive reserves for severeal more years. No war time service involved and I was honarbly discharged. Are you saying that I have some VA benefit I am unaware of if I need it?

Thanks.

David

[dusty99]

WOW.  I don't mean to but in here but please elaborate on this.  I was in the volunteer Army from 1979-1982 active duty and then in the inactive reserves for severeal more years. No war time service involved and I was honarbly discharged. Are you saying that I have some VA benefit I am unaware of if I need it?

Thanks.

David

That is how I understand it, that if you served the minimum term, then yes, you do have that available. You would need to check with the VA as to the specifics, but that was the general statement made to me when I went in and spoke to them, as I didn't realize that I had those benefits available to me. I was talking to another vet friend that I worked with, and he said "You did 9 years,why aren't you using your VA benefit?" the co-pay is just $15 per visit, (billed to you later) and $50 per special item, i.e. X-rays and such. I forget what the hospital stay amount is, but it is much less than you would have otherwise. there is no cost split after the $15 or $50 items, such as 80/20% with most insurances. I did serve during war, but that doesn't matter as far as the benefit is concerned. You should be entitled to it.

[dgr20002]

Thanks.  I'll keep it in mind. I do have coverage now through my employer and I will see what else I can find out/

David