I was named a ward of the Gallatin County Dist. 7 Court on November 11th, 2001. My parent's rights were never terminated throughout my duration within their system, and resided with my grandparents while with LSSI.
Before and during the entire period that Lutheran Social Services was appointed by the court to handle my case, I recieved SSI benefits and had CHAMPVA health insurance (a copy of which, my multiple caseworkers had on file.) Their organization became my representative payee for SSI, and put me on Medicaid with a spenddown (as i was later informed, and never gave consent to even apply, let alone USE). I went to 2 different residential drug abuse/alcohlisim treatment (after being diagnosed by LSSI with "opposition defiant disorder" while in a voluntary outpatient rehabilitation program, not for failing a drug test - the first time), once for a period of 47 days, and again for a period of 111 days.
During this time I was also forced to attend many unnecessary doctor's visits, and 2 more years of outpatient "aftercare."
My CHAMPVA insurance was never used or even presented by LSSI to ANY location i received treatment, only this "medicaid" was *at that time, I did not know I was on this insurance.* After being released from LSSI in 2004, I discovered that the remainder of what medicaid wouldnt cover, came out of the bank account LSSI set up as my representative payee acct for my SSI. During the time I was in LSSI, I vehemently requested proof of where my money was going - and access to it, which was met with runarounds and b.s. lies - not to mention the fact that when I started pushing to find this out, I was given a new caseworker on SEVERAL occasions - for no discernible reason other than the aforementioned.
When I was discharged, I should have amassed an estimated $20k+ from that account. However, after my discharge from LSSI in 2004, I then found out that my money was being deposited into an account at "National City Bank Of the Midwest" in Cinncinatti OHIO!! After contacting them and locating a branch in Springfield IL - 4hrs away, I drove there and went to close my account with them and received a small portion (approx. $1800) of what Social Security payed me for over 3 years and a single form, which showed Medicaid payed a portion and also showed that THEY payed the majority of all of my medical expenses from MY SSI, (and that I even payed THE STATE MANDATED caregiver's monthly allowance of 370 per month, as opposed to the state doing so - because i had "income")which was my only income.
As far as I know, according to the Veteran's Administration's CHAMPVA Handbook, as well as documentation about IL Medicaid/Medicaid Spenddowns from the IL Dept. of Health and Human Services website illustrates that CHAMPVA should have been paying their allowable costs- THEN my medicaid would cover a portion, while leaving me to pay whatever was left. Obviously, this was not done - hence the length of my complaint. I apologize if I'm mistaken regarding how all of this works.
any input would be greatly appreciated

