Warsaw resident Judy Hansen, 65, is in need of cataract surgery. Hansen needs surgery on her left eye that has been blurry for the past three years. The type of insurance she has is not accepted by local eye surgery providers. She has had Hoosier Connect Med Wise insurance since the beginning of July, and is not employed. She is mentally disabled. “We just found out in May that she needed cataract surgery,” her sister, Sandy Hartman, said. Hansen had three appointments scheduled at a local eye medical complex and she was set up for surgery for July 28. “It was July 21 when they made the appointment for the 28th, and on July 22 they called her and cancelled the appointment and said they don’t accept her insurance,” Hartman said. Hansen said she was disappointed because she is going blind in her left eye and it is getting worse. She said her right eye is going bad, too. She said she is not totally blind in her left eye, but she is getting there. “I walked out to take the trash out and my left eye was so blurry I fell in the yard,” Hansen said. Hartman said she had a heart attack on July 23 and was admitted to the hospital after she begged, cried and pleaded with the local medical complex officials to accept her sister’s insurance and provide the eye surgery. “We are still trying to find someone to help us, but have given up on the Kosciusko, Elkhart and St. Joe counties who don’t accept the insurance,” Hartman said. “We want people to realize how hard it is for Medicaid patients to get eye surgery in this area, and we will go to Fort Wayne and we’re not even sure if they will do it.” Hartman said the best result is for Hansen to get the surgery she needs as soon as possible so her left eye sight doesn’t continue to deteriorate. “She’s my only sister, I love her and I don’t want to see her go totally blind,” Hartman said. People who can recommend someone who can do cataract surgery and accepts Hansen’s type of insurance can call Hartman at 574-238-2734.
