I appreciate the Department of Human Services.  I do.  They do a lot of hard work.  I appreciate the services Kiran has been able to get because of them – medicaid for kids with special needs practically his whole life – and now, the waiver for health and disability.

But man, I’ve had a frustrating week with them!  Also – is it a requirement that you either have to speak in monotone or have a mean-sounding voice to work there?  Genuinely curious.

Nobody explained to me that Kiran would transfer his medicaid from what he has had to the waiver.  So when I got the letter saying he had gotten the spot on the waiver and at the same time, got a letter that said his medicaid would expire February 1st, I was concerned.  I didn’t know how it worked, if coverage would change, if there would be a gap in coverage, if I needed to give his providers new information….

So I called my worker, the number on the waiver form, for answers.  I left her a message last week Monday.  And then Friday.  And then again this morning.  Yesterday, I finally tried the number on the other form, and it didn’t go through.  This morning, I tried again – and got a person!  Of course, they couldn’t help me but sent my info to a worker.  I promptly missed that callback (of course) and called again, only to have the call disconnected.

At this point, I was done.  Frustrated.  Practically in tears.  Worried.  One of those moments where the overwhelm just paralyzes you.

Then I got over it and called again.  Same thing.  Left all my information for them to have a worker call me…and then just sat and stared at my phone until I got the callback….

Finally!  Peace of mind!  There will not be a break in coverage; if the number had changed, I would have gotten a new card; everything should go smoothly!

I still haven’t heard from my waiver worker, nor have I had a call from a case manager to actually set up waiver services.  But at least I know his medical coverage is intact.