Unexpected out of network, medical care

Hi, Hello where do I begin? My name is Joseph, my friends call me BicycleJoe.

Let me tell you getting old is no fun but it beats dying young. During the pandemic, I had serious health issues with the virus most recently after the Thanksgiving holidays in November 2022 through December. In January I started trying to get the help I needed for that, but testing has exposed that I have serious problems with my liver and heart that need immediate attention.

Most of the diagnostic tests I need for a cardiac intervention are not covered by my health plan or available out of network even without paying the full price. I've spoken with the doctors about a sliding scale, at best my expenses will add up to about $6000 that I just don't have. Most likely more.

The self-isolation during the pandemic has taken a toll on my health.

Just before the pandemic, I was working full-time for the federal government as a field supervisor, on March 13 of 2020 we were all sent home. A month later we were called back. During the pandemic, all they gave us was 2 cloth masks and a small bottle of Prell. I was doing client interaction inside buildings in group homes and hospice. In addition to that I supervised a team in the South Bronx out in the field.

The first time I got the Covid it was very intense but I was turned away at the hospital and just toughed it out, I stayed home and self-isolated. After I got seriously ill, I worked for them at home, they gave out hours sporadically but nowhere near full-time hours. All my supervisors had their wires crossed on procedures and what we should do about coming back to work. Nobody was talking, everybody was afraid for their position.

During that time I had two more serious incidents with covid laying me out flat on my back while I was home alone. I was never called back to work. The last contact I had with them was October 2020 when they asked for all their administrative materials back i.e. they wanted their iPhone, and their tablet along with the sorted administrative paperwork... When I told my supervisor I had been infected with Covid before there even were testing kits, they couldn't even tell me where to go to get tested, like normal Workers' Compensation would dictate. It was a nightmare as I saw several of my friends pass away. My only contact with the outside world was on Facebook.

I am a humble man, and I live within my means, very frugally.

I have never done a fundraiser before. I have never asked for help and have turned down offers in the past for life's more common emergencies because I felt others need it more than I.

I have been generous when I could be with others but right now right now I do need the help. If you can please be generous, but no donation is too small.

Whatever you can give, it will be greatly appreciated!

Please give what you can.

And if you can't donate today. Please share because "Sharing is Caring."

Most importantly, thanks for your help, Many thanks for even reading all this.

Joseph Tomasello, a.k.a. BicycleJoe

Morisania, South Bronx NYC.