Hi guys. I've been watching this forum for about a month now. Its incredible how much its grown and cycled through new ppl week after week. Anyhow I'm here to share my experience for reference because I know how much your testimonies have helped me gauge the waiting process.
First and foremost I'd like to stress how important patience is during the waiting game. Time will feel like your biggest enemy. But know that if you begin to stress it and count the minutes you won't be doing yourself any favors. Patience is key!
My journey began February 16th. That day I took a free class that taught me about medical cannabis, its importance, and how it help its patients in so many ways. Among other fascinating facts that I never knew about marijuana. That day I learned a lot, even the steps I needed to take so that I can be part of this amazing pilot program.
First step was to find a physician who would vouch for you. So I went to Innovative Express Care. I had to visit them a few times, get diagnosed, and pay a few fees, get fingerprints done, pick a dispensary, etc etc. On my final visit, March 20th I paid for the 3 year medical card. But my debit card wasn't charged immediately. It wasn't until March 23rd that IDPH pulled the funds, which is when I began to take count of the days. I was told by Innovative that it can take anywhere from 60 to 90 days to get your card if approved. I really didn't start counting til day 70.
Here's a timeline of key dates:
March 20th: visited physician, paid fees, picked dispensary, got my finger prints done.
March 23rd: My debit card was charged for the 3 year card.
June 8th: That evening I came home from work and received a letter from IDPH stating that 1 of the 2 proof of residency was not legible and that the "physician certification" from Innovative had not been received. They said I needed to email them another form of proof or an updated ID with current address and that I needed to send them the physician certification or I will not be eligible to participate in the pilot program.
June 9th: Called Innovative and spoke to a receptionist and informed her of my dilemma. She said she would forward my problem to the physician and to expect a call within the next few days. To call back if I hadn't heard anything after day 5. I received a call within the hour from one of their awesome physicians. She immediately informed me that she would resubmit my certification, and that it seemed that a batch of physicians certifications had come up missing at IDPH because it wasn't the first report she had gotten about this happening. She also told me what steps to take next to ensure that I get my med card.
June 18th: I got my ID updated at the secretary of state, got a temp ID card, and emailed a PDF version to IDPH. I also called the physician from Innovative to let her know I emailed IDPH and was curious to know if there were any set backs with the physician certification she sent days earlier. Again she was incredible. She informed me that she had sent it and that she hadn't heard anything but to make sure I contact IDPH and verify with them that they had received everything they needed and make sure not to let them go until they gave me some form of confirmation. She gave me their direct line and also told me that it seems impossible to get someone on the phone at times but not to stop trying. Unfortunately it was already too late in the day to call so I had to wait till the following day.
June 19th: I called IDPH and got someone on the line on the FIRST attempt. I was blown away. I informed them about the letter I received and asked if they had received all of the documentation they needed from me and my physician. The gentleman said thst they did and that I had been approved. To expect my card within the next 14 days.
June 20th: DAY 90 since my debit card was charged from IDPH
Like I said, patience is key. Just hang tight and expect to hear something from IDPH if anything is wrong. If your dont hear anything expect a card from them anywhere from 80 to 90 days. If day 90 has come and gone be sure to call them to follow up and verify that everything is ok. Ask them if they need any other paperwork just confirm that they have everything they need.
I hope this helped. Good luck on your journeys.