Melia is doing so well with school!!!! She is on schedule to finish her 10th grade classes by the end of March. We plan to add in the 9th grade classes she missed at that point and get caught up!
The big event today centered around my interactions with the Department of Public Assistance. It was our understanding when Melia's father signed over guardianship of her that her Denali KidCare was in effect until March 31st and that a renewal form would be filled out to continue KidCare until she was 18. We all assumed it was a given. ::snort::
I confidently began to schedule care: dentist, oral surgery to correct a tongue tie, looking to braces, new patient with a doctor out here and I finally tracked down a counselor/therapy clinic that will take KidCare. We felt good about the care plan we had initiated. All the offices took our paperwork for authorizing care. Then in the middle of the week, one by one, each place called back to say Melia was "ineligible for care" with KidCare (Medicaid). WHAT? She's supposed to be covered through March. I emailed the notarized guardian paperwork to the Department of Public Assistance (DPA) so they could talk to me about what was going on. I was told to give it 2 - 5 days to process and then call back. That DPA line is NOT for the faint of heart!!!!! I could give them suggestions on hold music...
I called back again today; they had the paperwork and were happy to talk with me. Bottom line - she's been removed from the program. They said I need to begin a new application for her, and it is to be based on "the total income of the household where she RESIDES." She resides with us. There are no plans for her to reside with her father. Our income is above the income level to qualify for KidCare. Please understand we HAVE explored simply adding her to Tricare and paying the copays ourselves. We cannot add her to DEERS with a voluntary guardianship arrangement. I asked the kind man at DPA, "Who can help me get her insured as both private insurance and public assistance are telling me she falls through the cracks of who they insure?" He suggested I contact our family lawyer.
I called the family lawyer. The receptionist asked some questions and said yes, they can help us. I knew it was unlikely I'd get answers over the phone. We have a consult with him on Friday - $257. It's o.k. Melia has some questions she wants answered and we have some questions we need answered too...always good to have a lawyer on board. I suspect we are going to need to legally codify the agreement between us and her father.
Melia decided to make banana bread. We have been perfecting a whole wheat, sugar free recipe. I think she has it this time. Melia is my personal baker. LOL
Melia talked to her sisters. Michael and I watched a podcast we need to view for our life group - spicey marriage questions that quite honestly were NOTHING like the spice I've fielded on PWOC panels on the same topics. ::snort::
The three of us then discussed the need to postpone medical care until the lawyer wades in as well as her and our views of what the future looks like (You know Lord willing and if the creek don't rise). We are committed to love her, provide a safe home for her, parent her, nurture her, catch her up in school, and keep contact with her family of origin. Our commitment to her well-being doesn't stop when she is 18. We are here to be whatever she wants us to be throughout her life. We have committed to her. We can take this a step at a time as it unfolds. We are not going to think this is all too much trouble and kick her out. We WILL figure out the insurance. If she really needs care before we have things in place for private insurance or before she's back on KidCare we WILL pay it out of pocket. The appointments I had made were up in the thousands of dollars - so if we CAN get insurance on board before proceeding that is the best financial option. She knows we are only looking out for HER best. It seems like this should be so simple...minor needs safe haven, we provide it, society supports that endeavor, everyone wins.
By the time we had thoroughly discussed these things the three of us no longer wanted a salmon dinner.
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