Would you help?

Status
Not open for further replies.
1600vw

1600vw

Pattern Altitude
Joined
Nov 12, 2012
Messages
2,004
Location
Central IL
Display Name
Display name:
H.A.S.
So I go and get a supplement insurance to help my cause. Then the doctor tells me insurance will not pay for the treatment I need and I must live this way.

I can not live like this.

According to the discogram I can not have a fusion. Just to many bad discs. I need a disc replacement but insurance will not help.

The doctor told me to petition the insurance company to help me. How do I explain to my insurance I need such and such and no other way to do such and such? Who do I send this to?

One thing I do know, I can not live like this and should not be expected to live in the pain I do. My medical records show I am in bad shape and need help, doing nothing is not helping anyone but the insurance company from not spending money.

I need some help. PLEASE I am begging for help.
 
Every health insurance company has an appeals process, required by law. Have you begun that process as yet? Have you contacted the insurance commissioner in your state for information and/or assistance? How about your district state elected representative?

We had an insurance claim denied at one time. Went through the avenues listed above to get it resolved. In many cases, some insurors first response in "no".
 
You've been around here long enough that I believe every word. I can't give much, but I'll contribute. Post a mailing address.
 
I thought Obama Care helped everyone.

I do feel for you. I have had back surgery in the past, but I remember reading some of your posts and it sounds like you really are hurting. How much is the surgery? Have you looked at starting one of those fund me things online? Any chance you could get a loan?

I wish you luck. Don't give up.
 
Tony,
I second the advice to start a "gofundme" process. I would contribute. But I am not sure what needs funding. I'm not a doctor, but I found this which doesn't sound good in your case:

http://www.spine-health.com/treatme...valuating-artificial-disc-replacement-surgery
Multilevel total disc replacement and disc replacement with prior spinal fusion can be done, but these are considered off-label uses (not FDA approved) currently. Patients must have good bone quality (no severe osteoporosis) to be candidates for total disc replacement, and cannot have pre-existing spinal instability in the form of subluxation (e.g. spondylolisthesis) or abnormal curvature of the spine (e.g. scoliosis).
Click to expand...
 
No problem just write a letter to the EMPEROR @ the White House. explain that you are poor and suffering. I'm sure he will add a clause to the Affordable Care Act to cover your case.

The place to start is with your Physician and get that precise definition of your condition including the ancillary considerations which might preclude a simple surgery all procedure. Then, if he feels an Osteopath-specialist is required, additional testing etc. may be required to define the required procedures and hopefully you can get estimated expenses for the surgey, testing, special medicines, rehabilition expense needed. If you do this before seeking special approvals from the insurance company, it may requests are help preclude delays caused by them.

If your requests are denied, good luck with fund-me program and I hope your pain is lessened by some means.
 
Go the gofundme route. Post what needs to be done ,with the associated cost. And go from there.
 
1600vw said:
So I go and get a supplement insurance to help my cause. Then the doctor tells me insurance will not pay for the treatment I need and I must live this way.

I can not live like this.

According to the discogram I can not have a fusion. Just to many bad discs. I need a disc replacement but insurance will not help.

The doctor told me to petition the insurance company to help me. How do I explain to my insurance I need such and such and no other way to do such and such? Who do I send this to?

One thing I do know, I can not live like this and should not be expected to live in the pain I do. My medical records show I am in bad shape and need help, doing nothing is not helping anyone but the insurance company from not spending money.

I need some help. PLEASE I am begging for help.
Click to expand...
I think you first need to find out why the insurance company is rejecting you. Perhaps you are not a good candidate for this procedure. You wrote that the doctor is telling you the insurance will not pay for the treatment but what is the doctor telling you about the chances that the treatment will be successful?

Patients with osteoporosis may not have strong enough bone to support a disc replacement.
Click to expand...

http://orthosurg.ucsf.edu/patient-c...esources/surgical-solutions/disc-replacement/
 
What kind of help are you looking for? Donations? Assuming you're asking for money: Put together all the details including x-rays or whatever information you have and make your case on a website. If it is compelling you will get help. Heck I'll help.
 
I have successfully petitioned an insurance company to cover a procedure they at first refused.

I stated my case simply in a letter. I did not make an emotional appeal, rather a business case.
My premise was the future cost of NOT resolving the condition ... Demonstrating that it was in their best interest to pay a little now vs. more later.

Of course, I was also a good candidate for the procedure.
 
First let me thank everyone for caring. Very kind hearts here, puts a tear in ones eye.

The reason for the discogram, this told the doctor if a fusion would help or hurt me. He found that I have to many bad disc to do a fusion. The fusion would put strain on disc that are going bad now and in a few years I will be in worse shape then today if they did a fusion. The doctor told me I need a disc replacement but that insurance will not pay for it. How he knows this is, no idea, but that is what he said. He said I would never be able to afford this out of pocket for the operation is over 100,000 bucks.
I am trying my hardest to stay positive but with the pain life is hell on earth and if nothing can be done, I want out.
I have never heard of this gofundme website, and I don't want any money sent to me. I do not want people thinking I am just trying to scam their money from them.
I need help and am running out of options. Living another 1, 5,10,20,30 years like this is cruel and unusual treatment. We will put an animal down or kill it so it does not have to suffer. They should be so kind and help me in the same way if they can not do anything else.

Again thank you everyone. You have no idea how this makes me feel, gives me hope when I feel all hope is gone.

Thankyou

Tony
 
Last edited:
Let us know if we can be of any help.
 
Tony,
At least take a look at www.gofundme.com
There are people in this world (and on this board) that are looking for a way to help those in need other than pouring money in to the black hole that is government.

If your doctor says that a total disc replacement could help, and that you are a viable candidate, then you should pursue any path open to you.

I wholeheartedly agree with your statement that human euthanasia should be a legal alternative, but I hope you exhaust all other possibilities first.
 
Sounds to me like you need the help of a local patient or medical advocate. Maybe your local visiting nurses assn., hospital or health dept. can refer you to someone. Or even a google search might turn up a local option.

Having to deal wth your condition and insurance issues at the same time, alone, just isn't right.
 
Again thanks for all the comments. I checked into that website gofund. They take I believe 5% of all monies donated. That is a big chunk when talking about funds for medical problems. This is not like a child's saving account.

I was thinking of contacting my bank and setting up a separate account for this. I have no idea, never had to do anything like this. If insurance did decide to step up and help I would take all money donated and donated it to something like what I need or to someone else in need.

I am trying to get help from a nurses ass. or something, I put a couple calls into the area on aging and was hoping they could help me on this. I have not heard anything.

I am trying to do everything I can on my own before I turn to others or ask for help financially. I have never done anything like this and you have no idea how much I hate having to ask strangers or anyone for help. Just starting this thread was real depressing for me. I hate it, but I understand I need help and can not do this on my own.

Thanks again to everyone. You have no idea how much this means to me just offering to help.

Tony
 
1600vw said:
Again thanks for all the comments. I checked into that website gofund. They take I believe 5% of all monies donated. That is a big chunk when talking about funds for medical problems. This is not like a child's saving account.

I was thinking of contacting my bank and setting up a separate account for this. I have no idea, never had to do anything like this. If insurance did decide to step up and help I would take all money donated and donated it to something like what I need or to someone else in need.

I am trying to get help from a nurses ass. or something, I put a couple calls into the area on aging and was hoping they could help me on this. I have not heard anything.

I am trying to do everything I can on my own before I turn to others or ask for help financially. I have never done anything like this and you have no idea how much I hate having to ask strangers or anyone for help. Just starting this thread was real depressing for me. I hate it, but I understand I need help and can not do this on my own.

Thanks again to everyone. You have no idea how much this means to me just offering to help.

Tony
Click to expand...

You had me at "nurses ass".
 
1600vw said:
Again thanks for all the comments. I checked into that website gofund. They take I believe 5% of all monies donated. That is a big chunk when talking about funds for medical problems. This is not like a child's saving account.

I was thinking of contacting my bank and setting up a separate account for this. I have no idea, never had to do anything like this. If insurance did decide to step up and help I would take all money donated and donated it to something like what I need or to someone else in need.

I am trying to get help from a nurses ass. or something, I put a couple calls into the area on aging and was hoping they could help me on this. I have not heard anything.

I am trying to do everything I can on my own before I turn to others or ask for help financially. I have never done anything like this and you have no idea how much I hate having to ask strangers or anyone for help. Just starting this thread was real depressing for me. I hate it, but I understand I need help and can not do this on my own.

Thanks again to everyone. You have no idea how much this means to me just offering to help.

Tony
Click to expand...

Yes sir, what, you thought those sites were altruistic? This is how the financial industry collects money on loans they don't even make!!! They are taking people's good will and raping that too. This is the rich getting richer by every means possible, not earning a dollar of it.

The rich aren't rich because they are smart, talented, or work harder, it's because they are willing to **** anyone for every last dollar. They are the ones with the true sense of entitlement.
 
Henning said:
Yes sir, what, you thought those sites were altruistic? This is how the financial industry collects money on loans they don't even make!!! They are taking people's good will and raping that too. This is the rich getting richer by every means possible, not earning a dollar of it.

The rich aren't rich because they are smart, talented, or work harder, it's because they are willing to **** anyone for every last dollar. They are the ones with the true sense of entitlement.
Click to expand...

From their website. They have raised 700 million for people and personal causes. That is $35 mil in their pockets. Wow.

Why does GoFundMe have to charge 5%?
GoFundMe has major operating expenses like any popular internet service including technology, infrastructure, payroll and benefits for our dedicated team of employees. We have purposely created a business model that allows users to sign up and launch their campaign for free. Visitors to our users' campaigns are greeted with a frustration-free giving experience, void of advertisements and other distractions - helping our users raise even more money.
 
1600vw said:
So I go and get a supplement insurance to help my cause. Then the doctor tells me insurance will not pay for the treatment I need and I must live this way.

I can not live like this.

According to the discogram I can not have a fusion. Just to many bad discs. I need a disc replacement but insurance will not help.

The doctor told me to petition the insurance company to help me. How do I explain to my insurance I need such and such and no other way to do such and such? Who do I send this to?

One thing I do know, I can not live like this and should not be expected to live in the pain I do. My medical records show I am in bad shape and need help, doing nothing is not helping anyone but the insurance company from not spending money.

I need some help. PLEASE I am begging for help.
Click to expand...

Here are a couple of thoughts. I would call a lawyer. You are not going to get the insurance company to reverse their decision unless legal action is threatened or started. Also, contact the insurance regulator in your state and file a complaint today! The state should investigate their rejection of the procedure your doctor recommends. The state allows them to sell insurance in your state, they can put pressure on the insurance company. You could also try witch insurance companies to Obamacare.

Talk to your Dr. about better pain management. You need to become your best advocate. Fight back.
 
Last edited:
Geico266 said:
From their website. They have raised 700 million for people and personal causes. That is $35 mil in their pockets. Wow.

Why does GoFundMe have to charge 5%?
GoFundMe has major operating expenses like any popular internet service including technology, infrastructure, payroll and benefits for our dedicated team of employees. We have purposely created a business model that allows users to sign up and launch their campaign for free. Visitors to our users' campaigns are greeted with a frustration-free giving experience, void of advertisements and other distractions - helping our users raise even more money.
Click to expand...


There is no great overhead cost involved on the technology end, so yes, $30+MM in payroll and benefits.
 
Tony, I am getting more and more confused. You keep asking for help, but then you keep saying you don't want to accept any help. Several people on this board, including me, said they would contribute, but there needs to be an established fund to contribute to.

Is 5% off the top so bad?
If you garner $10,000 in donations, they get $500 you get $9,500.
If you refuse them their 5%, you get **** z e r o ****

Or you could go to a bank and establish a fund to accept contributions. Then you could get a lawyer to set up the legal parameters. Then you could advertise it yourself. But that would be a lot of work with probably not much reach or return. And it would cost you a lot more than $500, unless you could muster an army of volunteers to spread the word. Or you could set up a GoFundMe.com account and see what happens. As I said before, there are a lot of good people that would be happy to donate to someone that they believe really needs it.

Did you expect them to set up this site, which has substantial expenses, including legal expenses, for free?

1600vw said:
Again thanks for all the comments. I checked into that website gofund. They take I believe 5% of all monies donated. That is a big chunk when talking about funds for medical problems. This is not like a child's saving account.

I was thinking of contacting my bank and setting up a separate account for this. I have no idea, never had to do anything like this. If insurance did decide to step up and help I would take all money donated and donated it to something like what I need or to someone else in need.

I am trying to get help from a nurses ass. or something, I put a couple calls into the area on aging and was hoping they could help me on this. I have not heard anything.

I am trying to do everything I can on my own before I turn to others or ask for help financially. I have never done anything like this and you have no idea how much I hate having to ask strangers or anyone for help. Just starting this thread was real depressing for me. I hate it, but I understand I need help and can not do this on my own.

Thanks again to everyone. You have no idea how much this means to me just offering to help.

Tony
Click to expand...
 
There was a network news story this am about a guy in Detroit who had to walk 16 miles round trip to and from work because he couldn't afford a car. Some tech- savvy kid started a go fund-me dealio for him, thought he would rsise a couple thou.

It's at $177k and counting in $1, $5, $10 and $20 increments.

Well worth the 5%. Your story is more compelling, and I would contribute if there were the means. Tens of thousands of people at a buck each goes a long way.

It's all about the story. People are generous. GFM helps them help you.

But having said that, don't let the insurance company off the hook if they are contractually obligated to pay.
 
Last edited:
Chip Sylverne said:
There was a network news story this am about a guy in Detroit who had to walk 16 miles round trip to and from work because he couldn't afford a car. Some tech- savvy kid started a go fund-me dealio for him, thought he would rsise a couple thou.

It's at $177k and counting in $1, $5, $10 and $20 increments.

Well worth the 5%. Your story is more compelling, and I would contribute if there were the means. Tens of thousands of people at a buck each goes a long way.

It's all about the story. People are generous. GFM takes advantage of that.

But having said that, don't let the insurance company off the hook if they are contractually obligated to pay.
Click to expand...

FTFY.
 
Henning said:
FTFY.
Click to expand...

Whatever. Hire a traditional fund raiser, and you'll pay up to 50% of contributions. Some Police Benefit Associations come to mind.

Gas, grass or ass, nobody rides for free...
 
Geico266 said:
From their website. They have raised 700 million for people and personal causes. That is $35 mil in their pockets. Wow.

Why does GoFundMe have to charge 5%?
GoFundMe has major operating expenses like any popular internet service including technology, infrastructure, payroll and benefits for our dedicated team of employees. We have purposely created a business model that allows users to sign up and launch their campaign for free. Visitors to our users' campaigns are greeted with a frustration-free giving experience, void of advertisements and other distractions - helping our users raise even more money.
Click to expand...

Henning said:
There is no great overhead cost involved on the technology end, so yes, $30+MM in payroll and benefits.
Click to expand...

Henning said:
FTFY.
Click to expand...
I don't think you all running the math that well.

They have 34 employees. They have investors. They've had years of operating costs and payroll to pay. Did a few people probably make a million off the website? Maybe. But nobody is walking away with 30 million in their pocket.

They don't claim to be a non-profit. Nobody has to use their website. People wanting money choose to do it knowing they'll lose 5%. People donating money choose to donate knowing 5% never gets to the cause.

Compare this to some big non-profits. 9% of every dollar given to the American Red Cross goes towards operating the American Red Cross (payroll, advertising, etc). American Red Cross is considered quite efficient. Most non-profits are spending 20% of the money they receive in donations on their non-profit.

GoFundMe's 5% is less than basically every non-profit out there. They're an incredibly efficient operation. Their model gets the money from those that want to give to those that want the money quite efficiently.
 
Last edited:
Exactly, we just take it for granted that someone should take 5% of everything for basically nothing. That is the way our society works, and is why it is failing.
 
Henning said:
Exactly, we just take it for granted that someone should take 5% of everything for basically nothing. That is the way our society works, and is why it is failing.
Click to expand...

It isn't basically nothing. How do you expect to build a product like GoFundMe (significant engineering costs), get people to trust it (significant marketing costs), keep it secure (more significant costs), and pay good people that will work hard to make it successful (more costs) WITHOUT having any money to do it with?
 
jesse said:
It isn't basically nothing. How do you expect to build a product like GoFundMe (significant engineering costs), get people to trust it (significant marketing costs), keep it secure (more significant costs), and pay good people that will work hard to make it successful (more costs) WITHOUT having any money to do it with?
Click to expand...

How much do you think that actually costs? Remember, all the security infrastructure already exists through their banking service providers, and all this stuff sits in a small corner of their infrastructure.

While this one funding site is at $35mm, it isn't the only or even biggest. I will grant they do pass on more than most charities do though.
 
Henning said:
How much do you think that actually costs? Remember, all the security infrastructure already exists through their banking service providers, and all this stuff sits in a small corner of their infrastructure.

While this one funding site is at $35mm, it isn't the only or even biggest. I will grant they do pass on more than most charities do though.
Click to expand...

Uh..their bank service provider is not providing infrastructure to operate their website. As to how much time and engineering and marketing and business planning it takes to launch something like GoFundMe, a hell of a lot more than you're imagining.

I've been developing a company and platform for about three years now with a team of people. I've worked for many such companies prior to that. You're seriously underestimating the costs it takes to launch a business like this. It's not just infrastructure and engineering...which you're underestimating as well.

They're successful. For being successful those that took a giant gamble and put years of their life into it should be rewarded. Most that take such a gamble don't end up with anything. The dream of successful products like GoFundMe motivates the rest of us that are busting our ass trying to build our own legacy. If everyone building companies and engineering software didn't think there was a chance they could one day live an above average life by working harder than everyone else they wouldn't do it.

At the end of the day - compared to essentially every non-profit out there they are incredibly efficient.

Sorry for the thread hi-jack. To sum it up -- GoFundMe is legit. They do take money that is given so they can keep their doors open and keep the food on the table for the families of their employees. Some of them most certainly have done really well. When it comes to getting money from someone that wants to give to a cause and getting the money to that cause they are more efficient than the more traditional non-profits.
 
Last edited:
jesse said:
Uh..their bank service provider is not providing infrastructure to operate their website. As to how much time and engineering and marketing and business planning it takes to launch something like GoFundMe, a hell of a lot more than you're imagining.

I've been developing a company and platform for about three years now with a team of people. I've worked for many such companies prior to that. You're seriously underestimating the costs it takes to launch a business like this. It's not just infrastructure and engineering...which you're underestimating as well.

They're successful. For being successful those that took a giant gamble and put years of their life into it should be rewarded. Most that take such a gamble don't end up with anything. The dream of successful products like GoFundMe motivates the rest of us that are busting our ass trying to build our own legacy. If everyone building companies and engineering software didn't think there was a chance they could one day live an above average life by working harder than everyone else they wouldn't do it.

At the end of the day - compared to essentially every non-profit out there they are incredibly efficient.
Click to expand...

But the people who made it only get a fraction of it. The lions share goes to the card processing. GFM likely only gets a point and a half.
 
Henning said:
But the people who made it only get a fraction of it. The lions share goes to the card processing. GFM likely only gets a point and a half.
Click to expand...

They actually charge an additional 3% on top of the 5% for the credit card processing. I didn't realize that until I looked closer.

Most of the "processing fees" with cards go back to the consumer in the form of account protection and rewards programs. If you want to talk about the credit card industry and where the money goes I'd be happy to do that outside of this thread (credit card processing is what I do). I don't want to continue to hijack this thread.
 
jesse said:
They actually charge an additional 3% on top of the 5% for the credit card processing. I didn't realize that until I looked closer.

Most of the "processing fees" with cards go back to the consumer in the form of account protection and rewards programs. If you want to talk about the credit card industry and where the money goes I'd be happy to do that outside of this thread (credit card processing is what I do). I don't want to continue to hijack this thread.
Click to expand...

8% off of free money that others are giving to someone to help out, nifty trick huh?
 
I set up an account. let me know what you think and if my spelling is correct? My spelling sucks if you have not noticed. Also let me know if I worded that correctly or if it sounds good.

I believe this is the link. Thanks again to everyone for all the advice, I knew turning here was the right thing to do and the good people on this board would point me in a direction.

Thanks again.

Tony

https://funds.gofundme.com/dashboard/lhxubo
 
The link takes me to the create a campaign of my own page.
Can't find yours.
 
Chip Sylverne said:
But having said that, don't let the insurance company off the hook if they are contractually obligated to pay.
Click to expand...

Raise the funds for a lawyer to look into this. If they absolutely won't pay, and your doctor is sure you will substantially benefit from the surgery, then try and raise the money to pay for the surgery.
 
I am not very tech savvy. I looked around that site and can not figure out how to post any other link.
 
Have they approved your listing yet? What did you title it?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top