Oriana's Medical Fund
Donation protected
On June 16th 2016 at 2:15am, I brought my mother into the Holy Name Medical Center Emergency Room. She couldn't breathe well, she could barely stand on her own. Less than 24 hours later, she went into cardiac arrest while recovering in the ER. From there, she spent 10 days fighting for her life in Holy Name's Intensive Care Unit, breathing on a ventilator. On June 27th, when we had begun to think all hope was lost, she opened her eyes. She spent the next several weeks recovering in a regular hospital room. It was at this point we could something wasn't right. She struggled to remember where she was, why she was there, and even what year it was.
[Photo Removed, some family members had an issue with it being too graphic]
This was the start of the nightmare. After completing physical therapy, they were ready to discharge her. Back and forth between the insurance company and the hospital, I was made aware of the fact my mothers mental state was not covered by insurance, even though she was unfit to be left alone. My options were a nursing home, assisted living, or a private nurse...all 3 of which she could not afford. The only suggestion was to sell her only apartment, give up her social security and pension that she worked her whole life for, only to end up on medicaid which would then cover her nursing home stay. This wasn't the answer. While trying to find a solution, I paid for her private stay at the rehab center, at $350 a day for 12 days, bringing her new medical bill to $4200. A very long story short, thanks to the help of her primary care doctor, we were able to get her admitted into Kessler Institute, covered under medicare. Of course, that couldn't be the end of it. I'll spare the boring details, but basically Medicare is divided into two parts, and only part of my mothers insurance has kicked in, which leaves us to pay out of pocket yet again with money she does not have, another $1600. Coupled with several ambulance, emergency room, and physical therapy bills still sitting at home, I am finding myself increasingly overwhelmed by the cost to get my mother back on her feet. My mother worked two jobs almost my entire life to support me and put a roof over my head. For those who know her, she doesn't deserve any of this. She is finally getting the treatment she needs, but it is coming at a hefty price.
She's in good spirits, even though she has no idea what's going on. Physically, she's great, but mentally she has a long road to recovery. I ask for any help you can spare in helping to alleviate the costs of her care.
Thank you again to all the non-financial support I've received over the past two months. Your cards, texts, phone calls, facebook messages, etc have all helped me stay strong through this whole process.
Sincerely,
August Sartor
[Photo Removed, some family members had an issue with it being too graphic]
This was the start of the nightmare. After completing physical therapy, they were ready to discharge her. Back and forth between the insurance company and the hospital, I was made aware of the fact my mothers mental state was not covered by insurance, even though she was unfit to be left alone. My options were a nursing home, assisted living, or a private nurse...all 3 of which she could not afford. The only suggestion was to sell her only apartment, give up her social security and pension that she worked her whole life for, only to end up on medicaid which would then cover her nursing home stay. This wasn't the answer. While trying to find a solution, I paid for her private stay at the rehab center, at $350 a day for 12 days, bringing her new medical bill to $4200. A very long story short, thanks to the help of her primary care doctor, we were able to get her admitted into Kessler Institute, covered under medicare. Of course, that couldn't be the end of it. I'll spare the boring details, but basically Medicare is divided into two parts, and only part of my mothers insurance has kicked in, which leaves us to pay out of pocket yet again with money she does not have, another $1600. Coupled with several ambulance, emergency room, and physical therapy bills still sitting at home, I am finding myself increasingly overwhelmed by the cost to get my mother back on her feet. My mother worked two jobs almost my entire life to support me and put a roof over my head. For those who know her, she doesn't deserve any of this. She is finally getting the treatment she needs, but it is coming at a hefty price.
She's in good spirits, even though she has no idea what's going on. Physically, she's great, but mentally she has a long road to recovery. I ask for any help you can spare in helping to alleviate the costs of her care.
Thank you again to all the non-financial support I've received over the past two months. Your cards, texts, phone calls, facebook messages, etc have all helped me stay strong through this whole process.
Sincerely,
August Sartor
Organizer
August Sartor
Organizer
Fairview, NJ
