My kids get free health care from the state. (AHCCCS, pronounced access.) I can't tell you how helpful it is to know that if there is an emergency, they will be covered and no scary medical bills will start piling up. All in all, though, that's the only thing we have the insurance for, that and my son's once-a-year check up.
Anytime I have had to go to the AHCCCS office, I've been disgusted to hear people griping about how long they've had to wait, or trying to be sneaky and get health care for themselves that they don't qualify for, not to mention being very rude to the Dept. of Economic Security employees.
After standing in line for an hour, the caseworker that I'm assigned to will usually say something like, "Sorry for your wait." My response is always this:
"You can't complain if it's free." (Said cheerfully.)
That's how I used to feel.
Now that's changed. Since November, I've received paperwork several different times saying that my AHCCCS has been cancelled for no apparent reason. Each time this has happened, it has been right before my son's checkup, so I have to keep rescheduling it for a month later. Then I call DES and try to straighten it out. Everytime I get cancelled, it is for something totally ludicrous, and it's always their fault. The worst thing is, after we finally determine that they made the mistake instead of me, and that it's probably easily fixed, they tell me that they can't fix it, and that I'll have to reapply.
Reapplying is not easy. You have to go through a month of grueling appointments and interviews. You have to supply tons of bills/proof that you exist, etc. And they never keep old paperwork. Everytime I reapply, I have to give them copies of my marriage certificate and so on, stuff that they must already have had 16 copies of. I get to haul two kids down to the office and sit on the floor for hours. Then, finally, they will realize the mistake that they made and approve me for AHCCCS. The warm glow this gives me lasts, oh, MINUTES. Just a few days before my son's next scheduled checkup appointment, another letter comes. CANCELLED.
The last time I applied was a couple of weeks ago. The caseworker said that I would receive a letter in a week stating that I had been approved. Two weeks later I get the letter, alright. One problem. I've been denied. I called DES to find out why I'd been denied (AGAIN). (Eligibility is determined by total family income, divided by household members. Each person must receive less than $505 dollars to qualify. My husband makes $1900. Divided by four, you get $475 per person. Simple math. Except that this time, the letter said that we were getting $633 per person. It doesn't take a genius to realize that they are dividing by 3, effectively ignoring one member of my family.) After being on hold for what seemed like forever, my caseworker, a woman who speaks very broken English gets on the phone and tells me that we are denied because we make too much money. I begin to explain to her why we DO NOT make too much money, as delineated within the above parentheses. Five words into my sentence, she interrupts me to repeat why we are disqualified. "I don't decide who qualifies, I just put the information into the computer. It decides."
"Ma'am," I say, "Please listen to me. You are saying that we make $633 per person but we don't. If we did we'd be making over $2500 and I can guarantee that we don..."
Again I am interrupted, at which point she repeats what she just said.
"Listen," I say, "I know that the computer tells you who is qualified but I'm convinced that you gave the computer the wrong informa..."
Repeat of what she said before.
I am begging (and rambling). "Please I know you are used to working with idiots but I am not one I swear I made a 1550 on my SAT's and I'm a Mensa member please listen to me I think you made a mista..."
Repeat.
I begin to cry from frustration. "Can I please talk to someone else?"
"Who is your caseworker?"
"You are, Almas."
"Are you sure? Is your husband the father of your daughter?"
WHAT? "Yes he is."
"Is he on the birth certificate?"
"Yes." I'm shaking. I hear her typing.
She says, "Is your husband the father of Jillian?"
"Yes, ma'am, I said he was." I start in again. "I think what happened is that you divided our income by three because we make $1900 a month and if you divide by three you get..."
"Hold please."
"Okay." Thirty minutes later she is back.
"I'm back."
"Goody."
She types away. Five minutes of ticky-ticking. "Okay I figured it out. Your income was divided by three instead of four." DUH. "We didn't show that your husband is the father of your daughter, but I found the birth certificate and his name is on it." I'm not sure what that has to do with dividing incorrectly, but whatever, I'm just relieved.
"Okay, so does that mean that my kids are approved?" I ask hopefully.
"No, you have to reapply."
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! How can such a stupid system exist????! I used to feel bad about complaining because I was getting a free service, no strings attached. But now I feel justified in ranting all day long, because my kids aren't GETTING any insurance, and they haven't been for nearly a year. My son hasn't had his two year check up and shots and he'll soon be three. I thought services like this were supposed to HELP poor people, but this is not helping, it's hindering. My husband has the car all day, so I get to wait for the bus in 110 degree heat with a two-year-old and an infant. If I thought I'd never get approved I'd stop going, but I continue on in hopes that I will one day be able to take my kids to the doctor.
Similar experiences, anyone? Anyone think I'm a jerk for complaining about something that is free, in a "Beggars can't be choosers" kind of way?
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
Wow, that really sucks! No, of course you're not a jerk to complain. I've found this is typical of the the way governments work. They have no competition. To get even a chance of good service you have to go to the private sector.
Shall I enter this as a rant for you in the rantlist? If so, which number would you prefer?
I hope they get things straightened out for you eventually. That is utterly ridiculous!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Bureaucracy at its finest!
(((((PSI Teleport)))))
I pray that they have made you run this cycle for the last time. As someone who used to have to use the bus to shlep kids around, you have much sympathy!
[ August 19, 2003, 07:03 PM: Message edited by: rivka ]
Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :
Start going up the food chain and rattling cages. Get it in writing.
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
((((PSI))))
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
It's probably because you changed your screenname. Name-changes can confuse bureaucratic organizations like AHCCCS and Hatrack.
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
Thanks. (This is crying from relief.)
ak- if there is a number 17 available, that will be good. Otherwise, just pick me a number at random.
Pop- They won't be having any more trouble with me because this is my last screen name, I promise! Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
We get AHCCCS too. Here is what I suggest. File a formal written complaint. On the back of the letter are instructions to file for an appeal. Call and speak to the supervisor of your caseworker. Explain nicely that you are having a hard time understanding why you have had to reapply upteen times (fill in with correct number ) for aid this year when you haven't had any changes. Ask where you can send a written complaint. Speak to the supervisor's supervisor. Its a pain in the butt isn't it? Some offices are more efficient than others. Call me next time you need a ride (send me a private message and I'll give you my #). With enough notice I can get the van from my dh (no air conditioning though) and that way you don't have to wait in the heat. There is absolutely no way you should have to reapply when the error is theirs. Keep speaking up the line until the problem is fixed. Try and be calm though, even if you have to "put them on hold" for a few minutes so you can go scream in the other room to let it out. ((Paula))
Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :
That's nice of you, Wendybird.
I hope things work out, PSI. I'd totally tap into that Wendybird connection. She's a peach.
Posted by ak (Member # 90) on :
19 PSI teleport's rant about AHCCCS (health care from the state) mindless bureaucracy.
*bing* Duly registered.
17 was taken so I picked the next prime number. I knew you would want a prime number.
There. Don't you feel better now?
Posted by PSI Teleport (Member # 5545) on :
Yes I do, and wow...right on with the prime numbers!
Wendy- Thanks very much. You are very cool and I have to say, I used River to get to La Cholla today. You have been helpful times infinity!!!!!!! Here's a hat for you, too.
[ August 20, 2003, 12:17 AM: Message edited by: PSI Teleport ]
Posted by WheatPuppet (Member # 5142) on :
Wow. It's worse than my school's online course registration system (which has the usability factor of a potato attempting to run Windows XP). I'm impressed.
Posted by Zotto! (Member # 4689) on :
(((PSI))) That is utterly ridiculous. And no, you ain't a jerk.
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
((((((((((TwosonPaula)))))))))
That sounds like a terrible pain. I hope you have better luck in the future!
Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :
This company sounds somewhat related to the company I work for (that company being AOL). I personally have not experienced it, but I have talked to a lot of people who have.
It sucks, I know, and I have a bajillion ways to improve on the system AOL has.
The main problem with AOL is the fact that you are only trained to do one thing. I am trained for registration, though I do double as a techie (when I do double as a techie, its usually to tell people that they need to have a phone line into their computer). If it was up to me, I would be able to set up accounts, cancel accounts, reactivate accounts, reset passwords, and help with peoples billing problems. However, I only set up accounts, which stinks for customers because it means being transferred all over the place like crazy and waiting for who knows how long. I do try to help them as much as I can though in straightening out the problem.
Not that I'm defending AOL.
So if you feel the need to rant to someone about stupid people on the other side of the phone, go right ahead. Heck, you can even rant directly to me.
Posted by Mr.Funny (Member # 4467) on :
(((((PSI)))))
WheatPuppet, potatoes have feelings, too. Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
Aw shucks, thanks Ralphie
I always take River when I have to go to the northeast side. Any other route takes so much longer! To go to the southeast side I take I10 to Broadway and then catch that loop that veers off just before the pedestrian bridge. Probably way more info than you wanted Next time you come to River and La Cholla drop on by! I'm just south of La Cholla, mere minutes away. At least look over to that new park they are building and wave to me
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Thanks. (This is crying from relief.) ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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) for aid this year when you haven't had any changes. Ask where you can send a written complaint. Speak to the supervisor's supervisor. Its a pain in the butt isn't it? Some offices are more efficient than others. Call me next time you need a ride (send me a private message and I'll give you my #). With enough notice I can get the van from my dh (no air conditioning though) and that way you don't have to wait in the heat. There is absolutely no way you should have to reapply when the error is theirs. Keep speaking up the line until the problem is fixed. Try and be calm though, even if you have to "put them on hold" for a few minutes so you can go scream in the other room to let it out. ((Paula))
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That is utterly ridiculous. And no, you ain't a jerk.
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