Program provides help when you need it
“If it weren’t for Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, I probably wouldn’t be alive,” said Melody Riva.
Melody suffers from severe asthma but when a change in her family situation meant she no longer qualified for the state insurance she was receiving, the 52-year-old unemployed grandmother was unable to afford her doctor’s visits and prescriptions. Without a way to pay for them, Melody simply stopped taking her asthma medication and it became increasingly hard for her to breathe. “I was really, really bad. I couldn’t walk anywhere or do anything,” she recalled.
During a subsequent visit to Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – Franklin Melody learned she was using only about five percent of her lung capacity. When she explained to her doctor that she could no longer afford the medication she needed her doctor referred her to Maria Crespo, a financial counselor with the hospital. Maria informed Melody of the Community Care program and helped her fill out the required paper work. Maria was approved and was able to again get the care she needed.
Maria also explained to Melody that due to her change in family status she likely would qualify for the state’s new Badger Care Core program. Together they filled out the application and now Melody once again has health insurance and is getting the medications and other medical help she needs.
“I feel much better. I can walk and I can get up and do things and I owe it all to Maria and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare.”