A Cape Coral man is facing an unusual bureaucratic nightmare: he has been declared deceased by Medicare twice in just three weeks. Despite this, the man, Steven Addesso, is very much alive and shared his story with WINK News.
Addesso, a 75-year-old retired firefighter, father, and Bears fan, is grappling with the stress of having his benefits cut off due to this error.
“Once you’re gone, you’re gone. And they think I’m gone, but Hi guys, I’m here,” said Addesso.
Medicare reportedly received a letter from a funeral parlor claiming Addesso was deceased, leading to the termination of his benefits.
“They said that they got a letter from a funeral parlor that I was deceased.. I said, well, they’re wrong, you know, so right away, all my benefits are cut off,” said Addesso.
When he requested a copy of the letter, Medicare informed him they did not have one.
“This whole thing. Is. A nightmare. It really is. You know, I’m alive then I’m dead and I’m alive now I’m dead again. Let me know what I am!” said Addesso.
With weekly medical appointments, Addesso is concerned about the mounting charges he cannot afford without his benefits.
“Tomorrow I got to go see my cardiologist. That’s another bill. And then there’ll be another problem, because they’re going to look at my insurance, and they’re going to say, ‘you don’t have insurance’, and I’m going to say, ‘I’m working on it. ‘ This is the second time, now, twice I’ve been dead twice in three weeks, but I’m strong like a bull- can’t knock me down,” said Addesso.
WINK News reached out to Medicare for comment and is awaiting a response. Addesso is scheduled for another call with the Social Security office, hoping for a resolution soon.