Adventures in the Department of Children and Families, pt 3

I am frustrated.

I mean, really frustrated.

When I went to see my midwife last week, the secretary told me that the Medicaid ID number that the DCF gave me brought up my husband's name (It's weird because he isn't pregnant.). I asked if it was a problem for my visit that day, and she responded that no, it was fine, just call them when I get the number straightened out.

I called the DCF (AGAIN!!) to find out what had happened, thinking all the while that it was some simple misunderstanding that could be easily fixed (like, maybe they just had to switch the number to my name). No such luck.

The DCF representative whom I spoke with said that was my number and treated me like an idiot for wasting her time. I responded, "Ok, if it's my number, I need to know why my doctor brought up my husband's name instead of mine." After skirting having to actually DO something about it for a couple of minutes, she finally looked it up.

"Oh, you're right, ma'am, that does bring up your husband's name."

Told ya. "Ok, so can we fix it?"

"Has he been receiving SSI?"

"What's SSI?"

"Well if you don't know what SSI is, then probably not."

"Let me ask him... Nope, he's never applied for any sort of benefits."

"Hm. I'm showing him in the system as applying for Social Security in 2008."

"Well, his name is not correct on my account. You all have him listed with middle initial 'E,' but his middle initial is 'A.' Can that mean anything?"

"I have his address as Miami, Florida."

"Uh, no. He lives with me."

After much computer-searching and number-checking and question-asking, we established that Medicaid gave me the ID number of someone who shares my husband's first and last name and lives in Miami. The lady on the phone had the courage to suggest that it was probably my fault since I didn't give Adam's SSN when I filled out the application (information that was neither required nor necessary). I figure that yes, that's probably it; since you guys got my birthday, my name, my husband's name, and my Medicaid ID wrong, it's almost certainly all my fault.

Upon hanging up with DCF, I called the hospital on the off-chance that I could still schedule an ultrasound with the promise of giving them my insurance information as soon as it got straightened out. Nope. I can't schedule an ultrasound without my ID number, nor can I have my blood work done.

I get to call DCF again tomorrow (GOODY GOODY GUMDROPS) to see if anyone took pity on my case of mistaken identity and decided to fix my problem. I am perplexed by these people...how has everything gone so wrong?