Finances | myHIVteam

Connect with others who understand.

sign up Log in
Resources
About myHIVteam
Powered By
Real members of myHIVteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
Finances
A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭

I have asked this question before but it has been awhile, so it is nice to get a refresh on things that may help the newer members
HIV care can be expensive. It takes money out of our pocket for other things we may need. So when it comes to your HIV care and finances, how do you cope with the burden of paying for everything
Do you take the help that is out there for rent/mortgage help?
DO you take the help that is out there for food?
Do you take the help that is out there for utilities?
Do you… read more

posted January 21, 2021
View reactions
A myHIVteam Member

Well, in Utah I had Medicaid and Medicare. Now in Oregon I have medicare and copay assistance from Ryan white. No Medicaid so I'm limited on healthcare because I have to pay co-pays for healthcare. Also $500 on dental each year so it's a cleaning and a couple fillings and that's it.

posted January 27, 2021
A myHIVteam Member

To me it's on a individual if I need the services I use them. I happen to be on a fixed income some services I do use. I'm not going to use a service if I don't need it. Someone else needs it more than I do. What I found over the years is when it comes to insurance companies. These companies want to sell you insurance more than you want to buy it. I tell them what I want and if they don't give it to me I hang up on them. They can do whatever they want they are not regulated by the government. I'm the easiest most passive person around when it comes to insurance companies. They are crooked they don't care about the needs of the customer all they want to do is sell a policy.

posted January 22, 2021
A myHIVteam Member

I'm in SC. Just south of Charlotte NC. I have great help with Affinity Healthcare in Rock Hill SC

posted January 21, 2021
A myHIVteam Member

I have both Medicare and Medicaid here in Michigan. When you have both Medicare and Medicaid here in Michigan anyways, your Medicaid pays your Medicare premium for Medicare part B. As far as Medicare part D they pay $30 towards that premium and if it cost more then that per month we pay the difference. And because of having both you automatically get Medicare Extra Help which helps pay your co-pays. I get my Medicaid automatically because it comes with having SSI benefits. Also because I am disabled and on Social Security it automatically makes me eligible for Section 8 so I only pay 30% of my monthly income towards my rent and the government pays the rest and that is a huge help as I would be in huge problem if not for that as I don't even come close to making the amount of money they would want for rent anywhere. As for food I do also get food stamps and if I need a little extra help with food we do have a food pantry at our HIV center and you can get food there once a week if you need to. I mostly get something every other month but mostly can get all the food I need or want with my food stamps. This year my Medicare Part D cost me a total of $84 for the full year which I paid this month and my HIV worker said that he could try and get me reimbursement for that but I told him that I did not want him to do that, they can use that $84 to help someone else who really needs a little hand with rent or prescriptions. By the end of February I will have paid in enough on my co-pays on my prescription because of the extra help and my cost of just my HIV medications all by itself puts me over the limit in February so I will not have to pay any more co-pays on medications for the reminder of the year. All I can say is if anyone here in the USA has any problems and needs help with rent, utilities, food, transportation you should be able to talk with your local HIV center and if they can not help you they should be able to point you in the right direction on where to go to get the help you need. Do not just cut out taking a medication or something or going hungry because you can afford to buy any food, call and get the help you need. It is out there and you should never feel like a failure because you need a helping hand.

posted January 23, 2021
A myHIVteam Member

I am still able bodied and capable of working full time prior to the pandemic.
After March of 2020 is when things started to become more serious with reduction of my work hours, my grandkids staying home from school, and the utilities going up because we are home more so than ever. The only assistance I got was for my grandkids who were qualified to get free breakfast and lunch provided by their schools, only problem is we had to go and pick it up from their schools. This was short lived but was helpful at the time. I was also able to get EBT on behalf of my grandkids.
The Maui Aids Foundation reached out to all of its clients here to make new determinations of our needs, case by case. I did get some assistance with paying for my HIV meds, and this continues today, also I have been invited to their Food Pantry if ever I am in need of it.

posted January 22, 2021

Related content

View All
What Would You Say Is Your Biggest Obstacle With HIV?
A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
Finances
A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
Finances
A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
Lock Icon Your privacy is our priority. By continuing, you accept our Terms of use, and our Health Data and Privacy policies.
Already a Member? Log in