SOME IS BETTER THAN NONE 

By: Margaret 

Margaret was receiving Medicaid for herself and her grandson.   Margaret went to the pharmacy to pick up her medications and was shocked to learn that her Medicaid was no longer active.  She called the dept of human services and was told that her recertification was sent to her, but she failed to return the requested information.  Margaret says that she has received all her other mail and cannot understand why she did not receive the recertification notice, but yet her grandson’s Medicaid remains active. 

The cost of her medication was almost three hundred dollars.  Her thyroid medication was $198.  When asked how she was able to obtain the medication, she stated that her children assisted her in paying for her medication.  She was not financially able to pay for her normal supply of medications; and opted to receive those that she felt that she really needed. It can be dangerous when a patient makes their own decision about what medication is most needed.  These types of decisions have to be made when one is faced with a lack of funds. Margaret did not have any other choice since she could not afford to pay for more. 

Margaret says that her son will be paid on Friday, and he will pay for her Thyroid Medicine.  She related how thankful she was to have children who are willing to help her in getting her medicine refilled.  Some is better than none. 

Margaret’s Medicaid was reinstated somewhere between the last week of March - the first of April. This is the second time that she has been terminated from Medicaid.  A few years ago, she was accused of not cooperating with Child Support for the grandchild who is in her custody.  It wasn’t until after the Child Support Enforcement Unit contacted human services and advised them that she was cooperating that her benefits were reinstated.