I Just Can't Wrap My Brain Around It

After my hiatus from blogging, I posted a blog that had sat in "draft" form regarding the inadequacies of the State of Illinois. It was about how  I had received a letter from Illinois Healthcare and Family Services stating that I HAD to choose a health care plan for Kate to be enrolled in by September 25, 2015, or they would choose one. I had explained we had coverage and didn't need it.  I was given a phone number that no one ever answered as a solution.


Patty giving Kate moral support at the doctor in AZ

Well the saga continues.  Since we have moved to Arizona, the house in IL has been receiving paperwork for Kate from an insurance company providing coverage for her through the State.  Knowing how the system works, or more appropriately, doesn't work, I just wasn't up for that battle.  I hoped, with no response on our part, I would eventually receive a notice saying something along the lines of "since you are not responding to our correspondence we will assume you no longer require coverage" or something similar to that.

No such luck.  Someone actually came to the house and put paperwork in the door. Which means someone went to the trouble to drive to our house and knock on the door hoping to catch someone at home.  Hard to do since we live 1500 miles away.  And by the way, I had officially notified all the parties involved that we were moving and Kate was no longer a resident of the State of Illinois and was a resident in the State of Arizona - she has a state ID to prove that.

So my daughter Sarah, still at the house in IL, said Mom, maybe you should contact them and get this taken care of.  So I did.  As I work 10 hours days in AZ, I called them from my desk during a break.  I called the phone number listed on the paperwork that states, "call us if you have questions". I called that 800 number and explained the situation.  I explained  it four different times as that is how many times I was transferred.  My break is only 15 minutes, so on the fifth transfer I sat and waited for over 5 minutes for someone to pick up, then I hung up.  That was probably the middle of September.


Today, September 28, I received a call from the insurance company here at my desk.  They wanted to know if all my issues were resolved.  I explained to her, nicely mind you, our issues and she offered to transfer me.  I politely said no and hung up.  I just can't wrap my brain around it.

Favorites

This afternoon we were enjoying an afternoon at the pool.  It was like 103 here today, but the water was chilly.  I think because fall is around the corner and the evenings in Arizona are getting down in the lower 70's.  I know my friends in Illinois are boo-hooing me right now.  I was lounging on the float, Patty was trying to get wet- "ew, it is so cold".  Only Art and Kate were brave enough to cannon ball it into the pool.  

So I’m soaking up the rays on my float and I hear splashing.  Art has splashed Kate.  Kate responds with "Hey, don't splash your favorite."  Patty and I of course both voice our shock at not being Art’s favorite.  Kate, always the diplomat quietly says “Oh, okay, I’m your favorite too.”

Yes, you will always be my "favorite Kate".

I'm Back!

It has been a very long time since I posted anything on my blog.  My life has been very hectic to say the least-moving across county-in stages-and changing jobs-twice! But this weekend we finally hung a few things on the walls and a feeling of normalcy (whatever that is) is taking over. We are enjoying the sunshine, the lovely scenery and of course, the pool!

When I opened the blog to tell you about a funny Katieism - I see there are several others I have here as drafts. As I read them, the day they discuss floods back to me like yesterday....

I am going to post one that I had here, sitting in the draft mode, and it might explain one of the reasons we left Illinois. I had titled it "I Just Can't Wrap My Brain Around It." Here goes:

The state of Illinois is at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to benefits for disabled adults in the United States. Today I had first hand knowledge on why this is.

Earlier this week I had received a letter from Illinois Healthcare and Family Services stating that I HAD to choose a health care plan for Kate to be enrolled in by September 25, or they would choose one. I was confused because we have third party healthcare for Kate through my employer. I had asked her caseworker previously about this and he indicated I didn't need to be enrolled in the ICP program because she is covered. So when I called them to say, thanks but no thanks, I don't want to choose a healthcare program for her, I was told again, like in the letter, either I choose or they will.

After several emails with several people, it was decided that after the staffing to be held today with these people, we would make a conference call and get it settled. So after this meeting, I made the phone call to the IHFS with her case worker sitting next to me and told them I was Kate's mom and legal guardian - the man on the other end wouldn't talk to me until Kate told him it was okay..... I gave the Kate the phone and she thought it was Dad and was telling him about her day.... so I took the phone back and the "nice man" on the other end still wouldn't talk to me because he couldn't understand Kate. Dah! That is why I am her legal guardian... even when the case worker tried to talk to him - he wouldn't talk to us, said if I was near a computer I could download the authorization form to send in saying I was her legal guardian- blah blah blah - because I have already done that - he just couldn't find it in the system.

So - he says to me - (are your ready for this) he can't help me and suggested that I call the local office at 847.000.0000 - BUT, with no laughter in in voice, so I am only assuming a straight face - he says,"no one ever answers that phone."

Seriously - call a number that no answers so I don't get enrolled in a program I don't want or need.

I'm still shaking my head. 

Merry Christmas Magic

We will always have that in our house, the Magic of Christmas. 27 years of Kate on Christmas morning trying to sneak down to see if there are presents under the tree.  Or going into Sister's room to tell her Santa has been here. And the trip to and from Grandmas' is SO LONG!    Keep the magic and spread the JoY!