Question:
Can someone without insurance and no money find aid to have this done?

My cousin is a single mother and does not work right now because of a back injury she recieved while working. Her added weight(300 lbs) and the injury makes it hard for her to stand or sit for long hrs. She has no insurance of any kind and because of legal matters with her daughters, she cannot get on Medicare or Medicaid. She would SOOOOO benefit from this surgery, more than I would right now, but the financial part she cannot do. She lives in Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Is there any kind of aid that is available that could help her? Thanks!    — dixieb (posted on July 11, 2002)

July 11, 2002
she should qualify for medical assistance thru public aid, or thru ssi (if she has been approved) so they both would be medicare/medicad,, and yes there are dr's out there that accept those ins...
   — stacey S.

July 11, 2002
I have seen quite a few people through this site that use Vocation Rehabilitation. I don't know if there is one in her area, but I would assume there is since Dallas is a big city. I ope this helps...
   — karmiausnic

July 11, 2002
Voc Rehab is a great idea! Another possibility for some people is to get private insurance. After a set waiting time, they can have the surgery done and it is still cheaper than paying out of pocket.
   — Thomas M.

July 12, 2002
She should contact the Texas Rehabilitation Commission. I have known several people who were approved through them and had their surgeries paid for at 100%.
   — Shirley F.

July 12, 2002
Yes, the vocational Rehab would be great, I am in the process of looking into that as well in Massachusetts. No job as of July 19th and the cobra is $$$$$$$ to much money. Good Luck to you and me!!!!
   — Tammie A.

July 12, 2002
I know you can get temporary medical assistance through department of public assistance. They will pay for surgeries and medications. Friend of mine had to go that way so she can go back to work. I hope this helps. God Bless
   — Kathleen S.