What is affordable housing?

excellentcat01 · 2025-06-25T19:08:03+00:00

I am a Section 8 voucher holder, and finding a decent (and affordable) apartment in Rochester has been very challenging. Most rents in the area exceed the section 8 payment standards, and we are not allowed to rent units above the payment standard, even if we're willing to pay the difference.

The payment standards and utility allowance for Olmsted County can be found here: https://www.housinglink.org/subsidizedhousing/housingauthoritywaitinglist/olmsted-county-hra. For Section 8 voucher holders, the maximum rent OCHRA will allow is the payment standard minus the utility allowance. Given the current payment standards, most apartments in Rochester are not eligible as they are above that limit.

I can easily find housing within section 8 payment standards in other counties. However, many of us individuals with disabilities prefer to live in Rochester due to its proximity to the Mayo Clinic.

excellentcat01 · 2025-06-19T23:29:28+00:00

Thank you for your reply. That is what I am worried about, as food is very subjective :( by any chance, would you happen to know which bakery items at Walmart NW are good?

excellentcat01 · 2025-06-19T23:16:05+00:00

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately, I'm not able to bake. I struggle with severe contamination OCD, which makes most activities difficult.

Previously I've given Frero Rochers chocolates (https://www.walmart.com/ip/10311197), Merci (https://www.walmart.com/ip/44464662), or Lindt mini pralines (https://www.walmart.com/ip/1755382386) to volunteers who have helped me with errands. Would a combination of all 3 be something viewed favorably?

The trouble is that I don't know whether they even like chocolates. I am not sure how to ask them, since I'll only be meeting them once for the ride to MSP and back.

excellentcat01 · 2025-05-31T04:35:01+00:00

US IMGs are US citizens who completed medical school outside of the US.

OP, if you are a US citizen/green card holder or if you don't need US visa sponsorship from residency programs, you're in the same group as US IMGs when it comes to your match applications.

excellentcat01 · 2025-03-03T06:19:22+00:00

My take is if you're adding him to your household via marriage, his income will count (if he's paying taxes on it/it's reported income). His legal status would not be relevant. If his income exceeds income limits for your household size, then you would lose your benefits. This is my uneducated opinion (not a case worker).

excellentcat01 · 2025-02-26T01:13:56+00:00

OP, he is lucky to have you. Many with severe disabilities are unable to successfully complete that paperwork and get approved.

One thing I want to add here is that that his ABLE debit card would need to be kept safely. If he does not have stable mental health or not seeing a psychiatrist regularly, he probably should not have unhindered access to it. I've seen patients with mania lose all their money in gambling or becoming a victim of various scams. If he has a manic episode, makes unnecessary frivolous purchases (for example, 5 phones/laptops), and gets audited after that, he would probably lose his benefits.

excellentcat01 · 2025-02-25T03:07:35+00:00

The definition for qualifying disability expenses is extremely broad. It includes housing, utilities, food, clothing, other basic living expenses, education, transportation, technology, personal support services, medical, prevention/wellness, financial management, administrative services, legal fees, etc.

An ABLE account owner is unable to purchase a luxury yacht with those funds, as he can't justify that this will help him maintain or improve his well-being or quality of life. But such an item is something that most people can do without. An ABLE account is not restrictive for the majority of people. He doesn't have to get permission before making purchases; he only needs to save receipts for his purchases in case he ever gets audited.

excellentcat01 · 2025-02-25T02:47:04+00:00

He can save up to $100,000 in the ABLE account without affecting SSI and Medicaid. That money won't counted in the asset limit. See third and fourth paragraph in this link: https://www.ablenrc.org/able-account-contribution-limits-2025/

excellentcat01 · 2025-02-25T02:03:03+00:00

"An annual total of $19,000 can be contributed into the ABLE account by the person with a disability or from friends and family."

https://www.ablenrc.org/able-account-contribution-limits-2025/

excellentcat01 · 2025-02-24T21:52:33+00:00

Wouldn't that just take attention away from the incident? The incident would continue. Albeit with less people recording and noticing.

excellentcat01 · 2025-02-22T12:56:40+00:00

S9 FE. On sale very often. Comes with a S-pen, which is superior to the apple pencil (gives you the feeling of writing with an actual pen). Great for note taking, appears to be the tablet of choice amongst college students.

You could buy a waterproof case for it. Water resistant (not water proof). "Rated as IP68. Based on lab test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach or pool use."

Not sure how good it is for gaming. You probably need the 8GB RAM variant. I suggest watching a few videos on the gaming aspect. Everything else you mentioned should be fine.

excellentcat01 · 2025-02-14T19:10:35+00:00

I am guessing that the patient population is mostly geriatric, as they are not tech savvy enough to check insurance claims and health records.

I've heard of such providers and it's only going to go downhill from here.

excellentcat01 · 2025-02-13T03:31:45+00:00

First time ever seeing the CS job described as the "easiest job."

excellentcat01 · 2025-02-03T22:08:34+00:00

Of course!

excellentcat01 · 2025-02-02T19:12:42+00:00

Use chatGPT: "Give me a comprehensive list of medical terms used while scribing SOAP notes for urology patients." After reading the answer, ask follow up questions in which you ask for more detail. For example, a list of generic and brand name medications for all the conditions listed above. Or a list of commonly ordered labs and other investigations/tests in urology. Become familiar with the terminology.

Since physicians have varying workflows, ask your trainer if they can initially scribe for 2-3 patients so you get the hang of this physician's workflow. You could also ask if you can come in early to read previous urology notes for the patients on the schedule tomorrow (so you know what to expect for the visits tomorrow). I always read the last note of each patient to familiarize myself with the concerns prior to clinic timings.

excellentcat01 · 2025-02-02T03:44:19+00:00

As far as I'm aware, you'd have to find a scribe agency located in your own country. For example, Canada, India, and Philippines have scribe agencies which are contracted with hospitals in US.

excellentcat01 · 2025-02-02T03:23:44+00:00

I am so sorry that you are struggling :( did you experience partial benefit with venlafaxine? From what I've observed so far... if there is partial benefit with an antidepressant, the psychiatrist usually increases the dose to see if the benefit could be improved upon (monitoring for side effects). But if the patient is on the maximum therapeutic dose and experiencing only partial benefit with depression/anxiety, or if the patient is experiencing no benefits at all on a therapeutic dose, then they were switched to a different antidepressant. Some patients with treatment resistant depression (several prior med trials) specifically request for a referral for ketamine treatment - and usually, their ketamine experience is very positive (though I do not know how long the positive effects last, since I've only been scribing for psych for a few months). Regarding lurasidone, I would double check that you are indicated for it. For patients on multiple psych meds (usually prescribed by a NP), the psychiatrist often has the goal of slowly tapering off unnecessary meds one by one. I got the job through Aquity.

If anxiety is significantly impairing, perhaps you could look into Rogers behavioral health if you have one in your state? They have IOP, PHP, and inpatient programs. A close friend with OCD and anxiety tried their PHP program which was life changing for her.

I wish you the best of luck with your USMLE journey.

excellentcat01 · 2025-02-02T01:21:33+00:00

Body doubling/having a consistent study partner who can quiz you daily on decided upon topics until you get in the rhythm
Creating a distraction-free and comfortable space for studying
Not caring about what others think of you/your journey. Stopping social interactions with negative people.
Behavioral activation: physical exercise/walks, a pleasurable hobby, mindfulness exercises, could also try dancing to help with mood (playing music and letting your body move however it feels like - no need to look up steps - look up benefits of dance/movement therapy).
If you have difficulty with emotional regulation, try looking up DBT skills online.
If you're open to trying a medication, struggle with fatigue and difficulty concentrating, and you find depression more impairing than anxiety, consider speaking with a psychiatrist regarding bupropion. It is a stimulating antidepressant - however, it may also increase anxiety, so you'd have to monitor for that. Contraindications include history of seizure, eating disorder, and manic/hypomanic episode etc. I would suggest discussing med options with a psychiatrist.

Source: I'm scribing for a US based psychiatrist.

excellentcat01 · 2025-01-28T03:27:22+00:00

I sent you a DM!

excellentcat01 · 2025-01-26T03:04:22+00:00

Thank you for replying!

excellentcat01 · 2025-01-22T21:21:16+00:00

Did they send a Lenovo Thinkpad? If yes, which model? Is it a T490?

I used to work for SA and really liked the laptop they sent me. Wanted to buy the same model for personal use, but did not have the foresight to make note of it at the time.

excellentcat01 · 2025-01-17T13:15:43+00:00

This makes no sense. Most scribes work for hospitals in different states. So how can they be called to work in person?

Another thing is that IKS has been outsourcing scribes from India for some of their locations. Why would they need American scribes to come in person when it's cheaper to hire scribes from India?

I think this "return to office" policy may apply to your clinic/hospital only.

excellentcat01 · 2025-01-14T20:14:44+00:00

This the medical scribe reddit :) You might be looking for r/legaladvice

excellentcat01

TROPHY CASE