Struggling with the System
Imagine lying in a hospital bed struggling with a serious illness, questioning your own fate and making it difficult to predict a healthy future. In addition, add a myriad of doctors, rehabilitation counselors, and managed care providers making direct impact decisions about your life without your input. It can be disheartening to be hospitalized with health problems, yet even more overwhelming when people who should be helping you take away the control of your own life. Unfortunately, this scenario is common for people with disabilities. When dealing with health issues, people with disabilities often find themselves not only battling illness but also the health care system itself.
The situation was similar for Gary Madson. After experiencing a severe illness in January, he found himself in the hospital for a month, losing control over his life. The doctors around him were making decisions for him, ultimately telling him he needed to be placed in a nursing home. Fortunately for Gary, AXIS Healthcare became an ally in regaining his control and independence. Through knowledgeable and experienced experts in the health care system, AXIS coordinates a results-oriented, cost-efficient, and timely health plan for its consumers. More importantly, AXIS allows consumers to control the decisions they make in order to maintain healthy lives. It began a pilot project last summer that involved taking on consumers on a voluntary basis.
Through talking with his doctor, Gary learned about AXIS, and was soon connected with Sue Bulger. As he and Sue worked together over the following months, Gary regained his health, acquired Medical Assistance, received equipment for his health needs, and found a job. Instead of going to a nursing home, he returned to his own home. He explained that Sue was a great advocate for him and allowed for him to by-pass the enormous amount of red tape typically involved in getting assistance. “I like the fact that they’re straight with you”, he said referring to his relationship with Sue. “The system is too complicated. AXIS has people who know the system and help to change it.” Furthermore, AXIS asked Gary what he wanted instead of telling him what to do. No one else had done this yet.
Both Sue and Gary share the belief that AXIS stresses building relationships with their consumers. Through trust and communication, Sue resolves that AXIS can give the right kinds of medical attention to people with physical disabilities: “I think we can, one-by-one, make life better for people.” Life is definitely better now for Gary. He lives independently without other people making decisions for him. “When you can focus…it makes all the difference.” He can focus on other things-such as preparing for his son’s marriage.
Because of its innovation and uniqueness, AXIS brings a service to the Twin Cities unlike any other health care system. Though, the reality is, there are some people who have stories even more distressing than Gary’s. As he stated, “The danger of not having AXIS is that people will suffer.” This does not have to be the case if you have the right support. To find out more information about AXIS Healthcare, call 651-641-0887.
