Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTennessee health care lottery
Tennessee Race for Medicaid: Dial Fast and Try, Try Again
NASHVILLE Two nights a year, Tennessee holds a health care lottery of sorts, giving the medically desperate a chance to get help.
State residents who have high medical bills but would not normally qualify for Medicaid, the government health care program for the poor, can call a state phone line and request an application. But the window is tight the line shuts down after 2,500 calls, typically within an hour and the demand is so high that it is difficult to get through.
There are other hurdles, too. Applicants have to be elderly, blind, disabled or the caretaker relative of a child who qualifies for Medicaid, known here as TennCare. Their medical debt has to be high enough that if they paid it, their income would fall below a certain threshold. Not many people end up qualifying, but that does not stop thousands from trying.
Its like the Oklahoma land rush for an hour, said Russell Overby, a lawyer with the Legal Aid Society in Nashville. We encourage people to use multiple phones and to dial and dial and dial.
State residents who have high medical bills but would not normally qualify for Medicaid, the government health care program for the poor, can call a state phone line and request an application. But the window is tight the line shuts down after 2,500 calls, typically within an hour and the demand is so high that it is difficult to get through.
There are other hurdles, too. Applicants have to be elderly, blind, disabled or the caretaker relative of a child who qualifies for Medicaid, known here as TennCare. Their medical debt has to be high enough that if they paid it, their income would fall below a certain threshold. Not many people end up qualifying, but that does not stop thousands from trying.
Its like the Oklahoma land rush for an hour, said Russell Overby, a lawyer with the Legal Aid Society in Nashville. We encourage people to use multiple phones and to dial and dial and dial.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/25/us/tennessee-holds-health-care-lottery-for-the-poor.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130325&_r=0
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
3 replies, 1689 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (4)
ReplyReply to this post
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Tennessee health care lottery (Original Post)
liberal N proud
Mar 2013
OP
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)1. In the land of plenty you'd think this was a better way.
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)2. "I'm happy to report that your request is almost approved But you have to do just one last thing."
"Have you ever watched mountain climbers that put on those "Glide Suits" and jump off the side of a cliff ??"
Scuba
(53,475 posts)3. Sounds like a good plan ...
... to impose on lobbyists.