When I did this blog on January 10,2013, I knew it was only a start, but I did not realize what would
result in more questions. Then with a newsletter from “DiabetesConnect” and a blog on DiabetesMine dot com, I have received
several more emails from people asking for more information. This is
telling me that there is a greater need for information about finding
financial assistance for diabetes supplies and medications.
It is with some trepidation that I
tackle it at this time with all the changes that are expected in
January 2015 under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a.k.a., Obamacare.
Will any of us be able to afford medical insurance the way it is
expected to increase in cost – in come cases? At the same time, we
need to be aware of what is presently available to assist people with
poor medical insurance or no medical insurance.
I am very happy to give credit for the
work others have done to enlighten us, but we need the information
put together to prevent people from looking at too many sources and
becoming discouraged. One of my questions came from a person that
was using a computer in a library, and because of the lines waiting
for computers he asked that I send him an email when it was complete
so that he could print it off and come back to it when he can get
computer time. Because of this, I was able to get the library URL
and email them asking for extra time for him. I am very happy for
him, as the library has gone beyond the extra step, did a lot of
research for him, and help provide him with many local resources.
They have put him in touch with several agencies that are helping
him. He has written me many thanks and is very thankful for the help
the library has given him. He says this is the first time in over
two years that he has been able to test his blood glucose and have a
dependable supply of insulin. Yes, he was without work, but now has
a part-time job and a roof over his head even if it is at a shelter.
He is also a veteran of the war in Iraq and having a very difficult
time.
Based on this, I will start with the
Veterans Administration and their benefits for veterans. First, let
me be very specific as veteran's services vary from state to state
and each state has their own setup for the location of veteran
service offices. The state that you currently reside in determines
where the offices are located. In the examples I am using, Iowa is
the place that this applies to and I think we are fortunate in that
each county has a veteran's assistance office. Normally they are
located in the county seat and are generally in the telephone book
under Veterans Affairs.
For the state of Iowa, it is part of
the Iowa law and required to have an office in each county. Each
office is staffed by at least one certified county veterans service
officer (CVSO). This means that they have taken an examination and
passed it on the state and federal level to be certified at the state
and federal level. I know that they help a lot of veterans and in
addition, they answer to a three or five member board of veterans
that can dismiss CVSOs for cause.
Current service personnel being
discharged from active duty are automatically eligible for veteran's
benefits for five years from date of discharge. Other prior military
service veterans must file an application for benefits and include
all copies of DD Form 214 for each period of service. This
application can be obtained from the county Veterans Affairs Office.
All VA offices and most VA clinics in
Iowa have a booklet titled Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs –
State and Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents. It is
spiral bound at the top, but I haven't counted the pages. It is 3.5
inches wide by 4.5 inches high.
I highly recommend that all veterans
find their local VA office and find out what you are eligible for and
when.
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