2024 | BY RITA PICCIN

The Patient Navigator program is funded in part by Aurinia Pharmaceuticals and an earmark from the State of Ohio and managed by the Ohio Department of Health.

In the last issue of “Living With Lupus,” the Patient Navigator Corner provided information about lupus journals and lupus flare plans, two very important tools to help patients manage their lupus symptoms. However, lupus impacts all areas of life, including finances.

Worsening lupus symptoms, medical emergencies, and unexpected events can quickly upend financial situations and require action. Do you have a financial plan in place to cover you in case of emergencies? Being prepared can save you and your family anxiety and stress and help you make decisions in a timely manner.

The Lupus Foundation of America has created a Caregiver Toolkit, in order to help lupus caregivers support lupians in their journey, including preparing for financial emergencies. According to the Caregiver Tookit: “Financial emergencies due to lupus can range from a limited, unexpected situation to a more permanent financial hardship. When planning, it is wise to set aside some emergency funds. Generally, an emergency fund should hold enough money to cover living expenses for at least three months, or more.”1 Consult with your financial planner or consider speaking to one to look at your overall financial situation and make a plan for emergencies.

In addition to setting aside emer- gency funds, it is also important to make sure that you and/or a trusted loved one have gathered important documents in a safe and confidential location that you can easily access. The types of documents should include:

• Bank names and locations, account numbers, and types of accounts.

• Insurance company policy names, numbers, and types of insurance.

• If applicable, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid account numbers.

• Government or military work history, including supporting documentation.

• If you are currently employed, employer and employer’s human resources contact details and list of benefits they provide.

• Advance directives, durable power of attorney, and an upto-date will. If you do not have these documents, consider contacting an attorney to create them.

If you are suddenly faced with a financial emergency, here are some steps that you can take2:

• Evaluate the situation. What are the circumstances? What are your immediate and long term needs? If you or your caregiver are working, will you need to take time off or apply for family medical leave (FMLA) if available?

• If you have short- or long-term disability insurance, consider applying to receive this benefit

• What if you (or your caregiver) lose your job?

• Consider filing for unemployment benefits. https:// jfs.ohio.gov/job-services-and-unemployment/unemployment/overview

• If you need help creating your resume, applying to a training or educational program to learn new skills, or deciding what type of job you would like to apply for, there are many job assistance programs that can help. Public libraries often offer these services for free.

• If you would like to work again, but you have disabilities that limit you from getting or keeping a job, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities has programs that can help: https://ood.ohio.gov/information-for-individuals/oodworks/welcome

• What if you (or your caregiver) lose health insurance?

• If you lose your health insurance because you lost your job, you may be able to keep your coverage through COBRA. “COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) (dol. gov). COBRA is a federal law that may allow individuals and their families to pay to keep their health insurance, usually for up to 18 months. This gives individuals time to find other options for health insurance coverage.”1

• See if you are eligible for Medicare and/or Medicaid Coverage. Go to https://medicaid.ohio.gov/ or https:// www.medicare.gov/ for more information.

• You may decide to purchase your health insurance from the Health Insurance Marketplace https://www. healthcare.gov/. “The Marketplace website will allow you to compare coverage plans based on cost, benefits, and other features that may meet certain individual needs. If a person needs to sign up outside of the open enrollment period, they may have several options.”1

• Review your budget and prioritize expenses. If needed, do you have assets that can be turned into cash? Contact your financial planner, if you have one, to help you create a budget and manage expenses.

• Talk to lenders about negotiating a payment plan and talk with your bank representative about financial hardship options.

• Dial 2-1-1 for referrals to financial and community services.

• Go to https://lupusgreaterohio. org/find-resources/toolkit-forpatients/ to find links to many state and local government agencies and programs. Contact the local Human Services Department for information about emergency funds. There is also information and contact details of charitable or non-profit agencies that provide financial and other assistance.

• Go to https://www.lupus.org/ resources/financial-assistance to find federal government programs and national assistance organizations.

• Contact the Greater Ohio Chapter. We have assistance programs for help with food, out- of-pocket healthcare expenses, transportation to healthcare appointments and mental health counseling through our partnership with Signature Health. If we do not have an assistance program that meets your needs, we can research other local and state agencies through the Unite Us platform.

Having a plan in place can help you prepare for financial emergencies and make them less stressful and overwhelming when they occur. If you would like to speak with a patient navigator about our assistance programs or other resources, please contact us at 1 (888) NO-LUPUS, (440) 717-0183, or info@lupusgreaterohio.org. We are happy to help!

1Caregiver Toolkit. Lupus Foundation of America. https://lupusgreaterohio.org/find-resources/ toolkit-for-caregivers/

2Coping With Financial Emergencies. Lupus Foundation of America. https://www.lupus.org/resources/ coping-with-financial-emergencies