Primarily for the U.S. and territories… ( Archived) (8)

…But for other regions that might have similar programs.

Howdy all. Don’t know if the system (mods) will allow this, as real institutions might be mentioned, but I feel a responsibility as a retired professional to present my observations and opinions:

Recently I attended a structured meeting regarding benefits for retirees. The facilitator began by mentioning the relatively recent advertisements claiming tons of free benefits, etc…(Seen those? JJ. Walker, Joe Namath, etc…) which, to cut to the chase, aren’t available in quite a few places, including here. So, pan THAT idea, for southwestern Oregon, anyway. Here’s a huge problem, and the chief concern: Say you’re retired, have Medicare and a supplemental plan, usually for medication co-pays. Your physician may have to write a yearly “variance” for a particular medication or treatment denied, but it usually gets solved. But then this “new” outfit courts your business, claiming a much lower rate and better service, etc…so, you jump ship. Then, something you really need is denied, and it sticks to the wall because there’s no precedent to service it, and they don’t have to. So, you’re annoyed, and drop them, and call the outfit that WAS working. Guess what? They won’t take you back, and they don’t have to. Be careful, friends. A couple near me were doing great. They are dog-paddling to stay at just above poverty. One wrong slip and they lose their home. Please, watch out. Take care of yourselves. Be smart.

Super. I worked in that arena (as a medical officer/skills-trainer) for 11 of my 31 years in professional nursing. I want to point out that in Oregon, developmentally disabled clients have strong advocacy with prompt and full-spectrum services. Other clients who do not fit the precise criteria (but are never-the-less unskilled) are put on the back burner, if assisted at all. Don’t misunderstand—I’m sure you are as diligent as a person can be. Remember, many people who need advocacy to get from point A to point B cannot obtain it. It’s a huge wrinkle in a complex system. You realize that many of the supplemental programs have the property of exceeding the cost without them…it’s a wild guessing game and unadvocated clients are adrift…it’s tough.

Thank you. I’m happy to be of any assistance. For the record, I am not personally jaded with the government and private services I benefit from. They have treated me well. But I have extensive knowledge and a skill level to be quite able to dot the i’s and cross the t’s. I advocate for people who struggle, but not bad enough to GET advocacy. It’s really, really tough. Programs are designed with narrow parameters. One must be very capable in order to access. There is little wiggle room.