Kaiser Insurance- I need help with this

88INEEDHELP22
88INEEDHELP22 Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Prostate Cancer #1
Ex husband was diagnose with prostrate cancer in 2007. He had the seeds. Oct of 2010, He started having to walk with crutches. He went to Kaiser several times they told him it was his sciatic nerve. I decided to take him to the emergency room only to find out that it was prostrate cancer that metastases to the bones with PSA 802. Why in the world didn't they see this? He went for his prostrate check in August and was taking his lupron shots and cancer drug. He had surgery to relieve the compression to the spinal cord. He took 3 weeks of radiation. He can't walk now and I have to do everything for him except feed him. I have to work and he can't be left alone. My daughter just graduated from college and is offered a job at the end of Jan. I have asked Kaiser for help. They send in Home health care 2/week and palliative care will come once a week. I have told them that he needs more care than I can give him. I have to work. If he has an accident I have to leave work to come and clean him up. He can't be left alone and I feel like no one hears me. They told me that they don't provide that kind of care and it would cost us. We don't have that kind of money. His primary care Dr. is trying to help me (He is not the Dr that told him it was his sciatic nerve), but he has to do what they say. I can't afford to lose my job; then I will not have insurance. I don't mind taking care of him at night, but I need help in the day time. If anyone can advise, I would appreciate it.

If you have kaiser insurance, you need to look into your policy and see what help they will give you. The sad part of this is this man is a firefighter and now he can't get the help he needs.

Comments

  • Swingshiftworker
    Swingshiftworker Member Posts: 1,017 Member
    #2
    Not Many Options
    Sorry to hear about your ex-husband's and your misfortune.

    It's good of you to volunteer to care for him even though you aren't married to him any longer. Obviously, you're not financially obligated to do this and, if he has no family other than his daughter, you might consider contacting your local social service agency to see what governmental resources are available to help care for him.

    If your ex had brachytherapy (seeds) in 2007, didn't he have his PSA checked every 3-6 months thereafter? If so, not sure how his PSA could jump up to 802 w/o anyone seeing the trend.

    Not sure you have a good case for malpractice based on the misdiagnosis and the failure to note the increase in his PSA, but you might also want to consult an attorney to see if you have such a case or not. If there was medical negligence in diagnosing the spread of your ex's PCa, it might pay for the extra care he needs but it could take years to get a judgment or settlement, which will not help you with your ex's immediate are needs.

    Unfortunately, if there are no grounds for malpractice, Kasier's responsibility is limited to treating your ex's medical problems -- not for his long term care.

    That's one reason why the purchase of Long Term Care Insurance is always advisable and, as a fireman, I'm sure it was available to him but, if he never bought any, the financial responsibility for it rests w/him and/or his family but, if he is destitute and cannot afford it, then the responsibility will fall on the state, which is why you should contact the social service agency in your state.

    I know this is not very helpful, but hopefully it will point you in the right direction to get the help you need. Good luck!
  • 88INEEDHELP22
    88INEEDHELP22 Member Posts: 5
    #3
    Swingshiftworker said:

    Not Many Options
    Sorry to hear about your ex-husband's and your misfortune.

    It's good of you to volunteer to care for him even though you aren't married to him any longer. Obviously, you're not financially obligated to do this and, if he has no family other than his daughter, you might consider contacting your local social service agency to see what governmental resources are available to help care for him.

    If your ex had brachytherapy (seeds) in 2007, didn't he have his PSA checked every 3-6 months thereafter? If so, not sure how his PSA could jump up to 802 w/o anyone seeing the trend.

    Not sure you have a good case for malpractice based on the misdiagnosis and the failure to note the increase in his PSA, but you might also want to consult an attorney to see if you have such a case or not. If there was medical negligence in diagnosing the spread of your ex's PCa, it might pay for the extra care he needs but it could take years to get a judgment or settlement, which will not help you with your ex's immediate are needs.

    Unfortunately, if there are no grounds for malpractice, Kasier's responsibility is limited to treating your ex's medical problems -- not for his long term care.

    That's one reason why the purchase of Long Term Care Insurance is always advisable and, as a fireman, I'm sure it was available to him but, if he never bought any, the financial responsibility for it rests w/him and/or his family but, if he is destitute and cannot afford it, then the responsibility will fall on the state, which is why you should contact the social service agency in your state.

    I know this is not very helpful, but hopefully it will point you in the right direction to get the help you need. Good luck!

    Thanks
    He went to all of his appointments. He told me they said nothing to him about a high PSA.
  • marc1957
    marc1957 Member Posts: 79
    #4
    88INEEDHELP22 said:

    Thanks
    He went to all of his appointments. He told me they said nothing to him about a high PSA.

    ask his doctor for the
    ask his doctor for the notes/chart.

    contact your state rep's office and ask for assistance getting assistance.

    just a couple of things that come to mind. Good luck to you!
    -marc
  • mrspjd
    mrspjd Member Posts: 694 Member
    #5
    Swingshiftworker said:

    Not Many Options
    Sorry to hear about your ex-husband's and your misfortune.

    It's good of you to volunteer to care for him even though you aren't married to him any longer. Obviously, you're not financially obligated to do this and, if he has no family other than his daughter, you might consider contacting your local social service agency to see what governmental resources are available to help care for him.

    If your ex had brachytherapy (seeds) in 2007, didn't he have his PSA checked every 3-6 months thereafter? If so, not sure how his PSA could jump up to 802 w/o anyone seeing the trend.

    Not sure you have a good case for malpractice based on the misdiagnosis and the failure to note the increase in his PSA, but you might also want to consult an attorney to see if you have such a case or not. If there was medical negligence in diagnosing the spread of your ex's PCa, it might pay for the extra care he needs but it could take years to get a judgment or settlement, which will not help you with your ex's immediate are needs.

    Unfortunately, if there are no grounds for malpractice, Kasier's responsibility is limited to treating your ex's medical problems -- not for his long term care.

    That's one reason why the purchase of Long Term Care Insurance is always advisable and, as a fireman, I'm sure it was available to him but, if he never bought any, the financial responsibility for it rests w/him and/or his family but, if he is destitute and cannot afford it, then the responsibility will fall on the state, which is why you should contact the social service agency in your state.

    I know this is not very helpful, but hopefully it will point you in the right direction to get the help you need. Good luck!

    social workers at Kaiser
    Kaiser employs social workers for these types of cases. If you haven't already done so, ask, no insist, that a social worker be assigned to his case immediately. It is imperative you give the social worker all the facts as you stated. Some social workers are better than others at providing resources for assistance. If his PCa is metastatic and he does not desire further treatment, then make sure the subject & possibility of hospice care is also discussed. Good luck.

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