Author | Sandy Davis

I want to share my personal experience with Sunshine Health Insurance because I believe people need to hear what some patients are going through. I am 74 years old, and at this point in my life, I should not feel like getting basic medical care is this difficult. I have not been to a doctor in about three or four months because, from my experience, it seems like every time I need something done, I run into problems getting my insurance to pay for the care I need.

I recently had an infection in my toe, and instead of being able to simply go get the medical attention I needed without worrying about coverage, I ended up trying to take care of it myself. I have also been sick to the point of throwing up, but I stayed home rather than going to the doctor. Nobody, especially an elderly person, should feel like staying home sick is their best option because they are worried about whether their insurance is going to cover the visit or treatment.

I also deal with pain in my back and neck, and I have received injections for that pain. Getting the treatment I need has become another struggle when insurance will not pay for certain care. I do not like taking pills, so when I cannot sleep at night, I sometimes use nighttime cold and flu medicine because it makes me sleepy. This is the reality I am dealing with, and I know I cannot be the only older person frustrated with trying to navigate healthcare and insurance.

What makes this even harder for me is that I am 74 years old and have had problems getting Medicare Part A or Part B because I never worked enough to qualify through my own work history. My father served this country in World War II, and it hurts to be at this stage of my life feeling like there is nowhere to turn for help. I am not asking for anything extravagant. I want to be able to see a doctor when I am sick, receive treatment when I have an infection or pain, and not constantly wonder whether my insurance is going to pay for it.

I am sharing my experience because I want other Sunshine Health members to speak up too. Have you had trouble getting Sunshine Health to approve or pay for medical care? Have you had difficulty finding doctors who accept the insurance? Have you ever delayed medical treatment because of insurance problems? Tell your story because people deserve to know what patients are experiencing.