Mike works as a firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service. He got hurt on the job in 2008, with no health insurance even though he risks his health and life for his job...OWCP covered the injury and doctor visits...but not before the local Hospital/Clinic in St. Maries turned him in to collections on every single charge...which along with no income...and finally a small amount granted bi monthly...his credit got destroyed. OWCP - which,as you know is Federal Workman's Comp... pays their hurt/off work people only 67% of their BASIC wage which is very little. Wildland firefighters make their money on fires...no one would do the job with just the base pay they get - they earn fire pay and overtime which makes it a worthwhile income. But, only 67% of base wage was paid to Mike while he was laid up.
Also, every thing had to be approved by OWCP before he could see a doctor. The local doctor that turned him over to collections instead of billing OWCP correctly, thought Mike needed Carpal Tunnel surgery ---- for a severe shoulder injury?? What? So, getting the approval of OWCP to see another doctor for a second opinion took a very long time. Meanwhile, Mike's pain is getting worse and constant, and probably the shoulder more damaged. Finally he got approval to see a specialist in Coeur d'Alene... Surgery was next..then physical therapy. He's now released to go back to work and working as of just a few weeks ago. He still has pain and fatigue and wonders if he will be able to work on a fire which entails 12-14 hour days, and 14 days straight with no time off...constant extreme physical labor and mostly upper body and arm/shoulder work. He didn't feel ready to go back...but had no choice. They stopped his OWCP benefits the first week of April...so as it was, he was without any money whatsoever for 2 straight months. He had no choice but return to work.
He can't go to a doctor about it, without OWCP approving... He has NO insurance. He doesn't make enough money to pay for insurance. He makes too much most of the year to get medicaid...
It baffles me that someone works this hard, risks health (breathing in smoke), and risks his life doing a great service, but has no health insurance?
Thank you for your time!
Concerned for Mike..
Also, every thing had to be approved by OWCP before he could see a doctor. The local doctor that turned him over to collections instead of billing OWCP correctly, thought Mike needed Carpal Tunnel surgery ---- for a severe shoulder injury?? What? So, getting the approval of OWCP to see another doctor for a second opinion took a very long time. Meanwhile, Mike's pain is getting worse and constant, and probably the shoulder more damaged. Finally he got approval to see a specialist in Coeur d'Alene... Surgery was next..then physical therapy. He's now released to go back to work and working as of just a few weeks ago. He still has pain and fatigue and wonders if he will be able to work on a fire which entails 12-14 hour days, and 14 days straight with no time off...constant extreme physical labor and mostly upper body and arm/shoulder work. He didn't feel ready to go back...but had no choice. They stopped his OWCP benefits the first week of April...so as it was, he was without any money whatsoever for 2 straight months. He had no choice but return to work.
He can't go to a doctor about it, without OWCP approving... He has NO insurance. He doesn't make enough money to pay for insurance. He makes too much most of the year to get medicaid...
It baffles me that someone works this hard, risks health (breathing in smoke), and risks his life doing a great service, but has no health insurance?
Thank you for your time!
Concerned for Mike..
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