I'm in the process of getting a diagnosis, but whatever happens, it looks like we're staring down the barrel of a chronic illness diagnosis. My muscles are affected, making it difficult to walk, drive, and complete basic chores some days, much less work.
So...this is a problem.
If this becomes a long-term thing, I'd love some ideas, shared experiences, resources, etc., on how to handle the financial strain of having one partner unable to work as much (or at all) and carrying increased medical bills.
At this point, I have cut back majorly on my two sole proprietor businesses. I work at home as an editor and doing needle felted designs while homeschooling our two children. I also teach part-time for some local homeschooling co-ops. While I pay taxes on my earnings, nothing comes out for Social Security, so I probably won't qualify for disability through that program (I'm assuming -- I know I need to do more research on that topic).
We're in the process of modifying my desk and home office space so that I will be able to do at least some work when I'm not having a major flare. Compared to what I used to be able to do, though, my earning potential is going to be cut by around 75-85% if things keep going the way they are. DH is employed full-time, and makes enough that we don't qualify for WIC or state health insurance, but our current insurance (the only option available through his employer) is basically catastrophic insurance -- $5,000 deductible for each individual, $15,000 family deductible, etc.
DD had surgery last year that wasn't really covered, and DS was diagnosed with a speech disorder and SPD, neither of which are covered, so we paid 40% of our take-home income last year toward health care costs (some of which had to go on the dreaded credit cards, so we're still paying those off). We're on track to do the same this year with my testing and DS's occupational therapy. So we have credit card debt, one student loan left to pay off, and ongoing medical bills. Clearly, that's unsustainable.
DH is looking for a new job with higher income and better insurance, but in this economy, it's tough. On the bright side, we have a low mortgage (under $700/month), so if we put off our plans to move by a few years, which obviously we need to do, we can keep our housing costs low. We don't have cable, newspaper, etc. Our vehicles are both 10-20 years old and in good repair, with low insurance premiums and low taxes. We live pretty frugally. Some of that is taking a hit, as well, though. I find myself unable to keep up with the gardening to the extent that I usually do and am using the dryer rather than the clothesline because it's so much less strain on my muscles.
What can I do in the short-term to help manage my medical bills and reduced work ability and not place a huge burden on my family? Are there any strategies for the long-term that will help? Are there resources or ways to work with insurance/the health care industry that will maximize any help I might be able to get?
TIA~
So...this is a problem.
If this becomes a long-term thing, I'd love some ideas, shared experiences, resources, etc., on how to handle the financial strain of having one partner unable to work as much (or at all) and carrying increased medical bills.
At this point, I have cut back majorly on my two sole proprietor businesses. I work at home as an editor and doing needle felted designs while homeschooling our two children. I also teach part-time for some local homeschooling co-ops. While I pay taxes on my earnings, nothing comes out for Social Security, so I probably won't qualify for disability through that program (I'm assuming -- I know I need to do more research on that topic).
We're in the process of modifying my desk and home office space so that I will be able to do at least some work when I'm not having a major flare. Compared to what I used to be able to do, though, my earning potential is going to be cut by around 75-85% if things keep going the way they are. DH is employed full-time, and makes enough that we don't qualify for WIC or state health insurance, but our current insurance (the only option available through his employer) is basically catastrophic insurance -- $5,000 deductible for each individual, $15,000 family deductible, etc.
DD had surgery last year that wasn't really covered, and DS was diagnosed with a speech disorder and SPD, neither of which are covered, so we paid 40% of our take-home income last year toward health care costs (some of which had to go on the dreaded credit cards, so we're still paying those off). We're on track to do the same this year with my testing and DS's occupational therapy. So we have credit card debt, one student loan left to pay off, and ongoing medical bills. Clearly, that's unsustainable.
DH is looking for a new job with higher income and better insurance, but in this economy, it's tough. On the bright side, we have a low mortgage (under $700/month), so if we put off our plans to move by a few years, which obviously we need to do, we can keep our housing costs low. We don't have cable, newspaper, etc. Our vehicles are both 10-20 years old and in good repair, with low insurance premiums and low taxes. We live pretty frugally. Some of that is taking a hit, as well, though. I find myself unable to keep up with the gardening to the extent that I usually do and am using the dryer rather than the clothesline because it's so much less strain on my muscles.
What can I do in the short-term to help manage my medical bills and reduced work ability and not place a huge burden on my family? Are there any strategies for the long-term that will help? Are there resources or ways to work with insurance/the health care industry that will maximize any help I might be able to get?
TIA~
-- annoys me so much because I've worked hard to keep our expenses low and now I'm constantly going for tests & spending hundreds of dollars on pills that don't even help...
Also negotiate with the doctors/labs/hospitals, they might be able to reduce or postpone your payments.
