I average 5-12 medical appointments a week. This includes home health nursing, tele-healths, traditional appointments with specialists, and therapy appointments. It’s a big time commitment to attend all of these appointments as well as keeping them all organized.
To stay organized, I use the calendar on the phone/computer as well as a google docs file that includes any appointments outside of my apartment. The file contains the date/time, provider’s name, address, phone number, as well as a place for transportation notes. I find this file so necessary, as sometimes I need to print or send a copy of upcoming appointments to various providers. I have even started to color code some items on the sheet. The bonus of having it as a google doc is that I am able to share it with various people (family) and they can see any changes or updates.
Transportation is the biggest issue for me to get to appointments. I try to make local appointments on Tuesday or Thursday when the bus is available through my community for appointments. MUSC appointments require the most resources as I need to coordinate them with either my niece, private transportation company, or using UBER. All are expensive options. All of this also requires me to determine what mobility device I am going to use. If I wake up to go to MUSC with my rollator and feel terrible, I am stuck and can’t switch to my power wheelchair. It’s a lot of thoughts.
Transportation is a huge hindrance to many people’s access to heath care. If you can’t leave your house, you are significantly limited to the type of health care or quality of health care you receive. Likewise, when you are limited by milage or transportation routes, you become limited.
I am eager to see my Medicaid application be approved and provide needed support for transportation as well as other things. This process for application was very extensive and difficult. I am hopeful that the results will be worth it!