I'm in the unfortunate position of relying on state funded health insurance. While the insurance itself is a godsend and I couldn't be more grateful to have it, the sheer hell that you have to go through to keep said benefits are absolutely maddening. I qualify for Medicaid through my state because I'm temporarily disabled and don't earn very much money. My caseworker via my PCP was able to get me started on the insurance with no problems, and I've had it for a year.

The real issue started this month when I received a letter in the mail saying that I hadn't sent in the renewal package that they'd mailed me - problem is, I'd never received any package! This was a Friday, and my benefits were scheduled to end that Sunday. My caseworker advised me to go to the office and file an appeal so I could at least keep my benefits while I got my documentation to them.

After waiting for several hours to be seen, the person I spoke to said that he couldn't file an appeal or accept a renewal form from me because it was "too late" and my name was already out of the system and told me I'd have to reapply. He was very rude and condescending. I left, furious that I'd wasted so much of my time. I spoke to my case worker after, and he said the man I spoke to had lied, that I could have filed an appeal and that he just didn't feel like doing the work it took to submit an appeal for someone.

The following Monday I went back, did the same song and dance, waited for hours, reapplied, but this time, the person who saw me didn't like my income documentation (I'm self employed and used the same documentation before with no problems). Truth is, it was the end of the day again and he didn't want to do any extra work, so he decided to give me a hard time.

What's worse, he acted overly familiar with me, making inappropriate comments about my appearance and asking unprofessional questions that had nothing to do with the business at hand. He often spoke so low that I couldn't hear him, and when I asked him to repeat himself he started acting irate. At one point, he started aggressively responding to my questions as if I were being hostile, when I was simply asking him to clarify his statements. It was a very upsetting and intimidating exchange.

He finally stapled all of my papers together and told me to come back to another interview and bring detailed bank statements, a lease, etc... all sorts of things I hadn't been asked for before - he mumbled something that sounded like two different days/times at me, and when I tried to clarify, he literally got up and walked away from me. I mean, left me standing there holding the papers and wondering what to do next. Feeling humiliated, upset and defeated, I stormed out of there in tears.

It doesn't help that I was on my 3rd day of taking prozac, and my anxiety levels were (and still are) through the roof as my body adjusts to the meds. I felt nothing but despair, hopelessness, and a high level of stress, to the point of being physically ill. The worse part was how powerless I felt. When he was asking me those inappropriate questions and stripping me of my agency, all I could do was quietly acquiesce because he could ruin my life with one touch of a button. I don't even know if it would do any good to file a complaint about how poorly they are treating people.

Add that to unstable income, relying on borrowing from family/friends, selling things etc just to get by but STILL behind on bills/bank account overdrawn, bill collectors are calling, I'm so crippled by anxiety and depression that it takes tremendous effort to do even the simplest things, like prepare a meal or take a shower or even make a phone call. Let alone going to apply for a job. Sometimes I have good days, where I feel motivated and can do things, but they are few and far in between. There's much more darkness than light.

My willpower is all gone. Before, I could just push past a negative state, but I just don't have it in me anymore. I think I've done that so much all of my life that I've burned out. I've lost an unhealthy amount of weight from the stress, I can't sleep at night without taking something. Things are looking very bleak and hopeless right now.

I feel overwhelmed. I can't wait till I get my life back. This is not who I am.

I am so sorry you had this experience but know that you are not alone. I have insurance through a program in my municipality and what you've described is all too familiar. No human being should have to go through what you experienced.
No one ever asks me inappropriate questions.
Though I can understand you may not want to say anything at the time, there should be a way to report these workers who ask you inappropriate questions. Talk to your case manager. Sorry you had to go through this. You aren't alone.

Thank you so much for the kind words. I means a lot to know I'm not alone in this! And yes, I will talk to my case worker to see if there's anything I can do. I did mention to him that the agent made me feel uncomfortable and that he walked away from me, but I didn't go into detail because I have a hard time talking about my feelings.

I've always been the type to put up a strong, stoic front and act like everything is okay, so I don't think I got the point across that this man really crossed the line with me. The comments and questions were highly inappropriate and intimidating, like "I work, I'm sure you know what that's like (sarcastically)." And "you are pretty, is that your real hair?" "Do you have a boyfriend? No? Are you a lesbian (in a mocking tone of voice)." He said some other stuff too but I was just so aghast I blocked it out. I think he got mad that I wasn't responding to his attempts at flirtation and that's why he started getting all pissy and walked away from me.

I wish I would have recorded it. Next time I have to deal with any of them, I'm going to secretly record the conversations on my phone.

Wow, ya, that's definitely inappropriate. Especially the relationship comments. I've been asked the same questions, but not in a situation like that. Definitely tell your case worker about the relationship questions. I've always thought of secretly recording conversations too, but I seem to forget. Good luck and I hope you'll meet much nicer staff in the future!