Help Donna survive a financial medical crisis

Friends, did you know that 60% of long-term disability claims were denied for various reasons, including insurance adjuster mistakes, missing deadlines, and insufficient documentation. My name is Celinda Garza, and this is why I am raising funds to help my friend and co-worker, Donna Yancey. Donna has been without any income since December 30, 2023 when her short-term disability was exhausted. Donna was recently denied Long Term Disability benefits by our provider Lincoln Financial Group because they determined that she did not meet the definition of disability. I personally read the denial letter and have concluded since I have been in close contact with Donna all the while she has been going through these health issues that this denial is not justified. I believe the insurance company made mistakes by writing incorrect information on her job description as well as miscommunication of her diagnosis by stating she had received care for Hypogammaglobulinemia, but she was also denied that treatment by her insurance BCBS, which she is still fighting. Furthermore, her first Neurologist missed one of Lincoln’s deadlines by not providing the complete documentation they required on her lab work and treatment. I do not believe the decision to deny benefits is just. She is currently working on appealing the decision. Donna has not been released to work nor does her doctor think she is ready to return to work for many more months, if ever. Donna has not been able to continue the physical therapy that is required to get better, because she cannot afford the co-pays. She is also her 88-year-old mother’s primary care giver. Mom’s income just isn’t enough to cover Donna’s monthly finances too. Donna has been raising what little funds she can selling odds and ends on marketplace and eBay. I will be helping Donna with a benefit garage sale on Saturday April 27, here in Austin. If you can donate any items, please DM via Facebook and I will personally pick them up.

I met Donna at work 5 years ago. We quickly became close as she realized I needed help getting on board and that I did not know a lot of what I was doing. Everything was new to me as I had just come out of my 7-week management training. Donna knew I desperately need OJT – on the job training. She was in a position of leadership herself, and was all about helping me get up to speed as quickly as possible. She dove right in giving tips and training me on everything I needed to know about curbside. I managed to learn my job and I truly owe it all to Donna, for keeping me sane and teaching me the ropes. About 6 months ago I got a different job, one Donna was also very familiar with since she too had moved on to an administrative role. I knew immediately I could count on Donna to help me with anything I needed in my new role, and boy did she. I would call her or text her questions and she was always quick to answer or respond. All the while, she is going through all these health care issues, and even sometimes being on short term disability. I witnessed Donna helping other Partners at work as well. That is the kind of person Donna is – she is always willing to help and goes above and beyond. She truly is a kind and generous soul. I would like for you to read one of Donna’s post from early this month:

Re: a post directly from Donna:

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After almost 8 months of countless doctor’s appointments and scans, possible diagnoses of a blood cancer, MS and a rare condition - CADASIL, I finally have a new neurologist who has ruled out MS and CADASIL and determined that all of my balance/falls are the result of Traumatic Brain Injury first occurring after the initial fall in H-E-B parking lot in Dec ‘21.

At my initial consultation with Dr. Erica Rivas, she spent over an hour with me and we looked at all the Brain CT/MRIs images. This is the first time I have seen actual images. Previously, I have only had the Radiologist written reports.

Dr. Rivas found evidence of previous bleeding from a coup/countercoup injury in my frontal lobe and cerebellum bilaterally. This was not in radiologist summary report and obviously these images were not reviewed by my previous neurologist. I feel my doctors have failed me as had this been treated early on, I would have had a much better prognosis. As it stands now, most of the damage will be irreversible.

It all makes sense now as my symptoms are consistent with the areas of brain controlling balance, movement, vision/eye movement and alignment, concentration, memory and headaches/migraines. Not only does this impact me physically, the financial impact with not being able to work is very concerning.

I am so glad I decided to get a second opinion and wish I would have sooner. My takeaway from all of this is to stress how important it is to advocate for yourself. Going forward, I will request to see all of my imaging as well. How anyone missed the previous bleeding in frontal lobe is beyond me.

Still fighting with BCBS on the IVIG infusions for Hypogammaglobulinemia. I did learn today that Texas Oncology was able to resubmit a new authorization request. So we will start all over with new labs, another vaccine challenge to see if my immune system will make antibodies to a Diptheria vaccine this time instead of the pneumonia vaccine. This will take another 6 weeks or so before we can have results to send to BCBS.

Honestly since I am home most of the time, this condition is the least of my worries as the TBI symptoms are the top priority and preventing another fall/injuries.

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It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child, indeed it does. I am counting on “my village” to help raise Donna. Please donate whatever monetary gift you are able to and your prayers are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your consideration and act of kindness.

Please click here and donate what you can. mil gracias