Government Agencies

I think I’ve done pretty well administrative-wise post surgery. I had to get a notebook to write everything down but I’ve made all my doctor’s appointments, got (almost) all my questions answered, kept up with medications and test results, and coordinating a lot of paperwork. Not working has helped a lot too since some phone calls puts you on hold for a long time.

The only two items pending for awhile are with government agencies, specifically the SSA and California EDD. It’s no so much the paperwork but it’s hard to contact anyone that can help. For the SSA, every phone is answered by an automated phone system that goes through lots of useless information and makes you enter your SSN. Then the system tells you there is a 45 minute wait to speak to anyone. They also suggest that I visit ssa.gov but my case, Medicare for ESRD, is uncommon enough that I have to call in. Anyway, I just check my Social Security and my application is still pending. I wasn’t counting on starting Medicare on 1/1/2020 anyway so expectations were low.

The other government agency is the California EDD. Since I’m on FMLA medical leave, I’m not getting paid. For legit short-term disability cases, the EDD provides disability payments while you are out of work. The amount is not that much, up to $1,252/week, but anything is better than $0. Our work also provides disability insurance up to $1600/week, but the insurance company assumes that you will get the full EDD payment. The insurance is with The Hartford and all I needed to do was make one phone call. A nurse(!) took my info, evaluated my case, and then called my doctors. I was approved almost immediately but only for the $348/week, and they’ve paid me through the end of the leave period. At the same time, my EDD application is still pending medical provider info. I gave my claim number to my cardiologist’s office but they were used to filling out paperwork. EDD is now forcing everyone online (no paper form download anymore) but their system is not reliable (hard to register, always in maintenance when you want to log in), and if the person that registered online from the doctor’s office is out, nothing gets done. Good thing I’m not depending on disability payments to pay rent or eat.

I wish the government was more efficient. Everyone was pretty nice and helpful at the SSA but each time I was at their office, there are a hundred people waiting, and most of them sat there the entire time. Luckily I applied for Medicare 3-4 months before I really need it. This is the main reason I’m hesitant about socialized medicine in America. Having lived in Canada (a long time ago) and talking to my relatives there, a single payer system where patients don’t have to worry about co-pays, out-of-network providers, and potential bankruptcy sounds great but judging by the problems at the VA, I’m worried that the level of care will deteriorate greatly once the government takes over, federal or state.