They probably should check with the local Medicaid office to see if they qualify. But, I'll warn you, you have to be pretty poor to be able to get this assistance. Sometimes the surgeon and/or hospital will work out a lower cost option with a payment plan too.
Otherwise, the only other option is to wait until it is an emergency and they have to take you. But, they still will stick you with the bill that you have to work out with them.
Jan
Take a deep breath and relax; this too will pass.
Posts: 15025 | Location: Fremont, CA, USA | Registered: April 07, 2000
Jan is right and saying that is a sad thing...The U.S.A. is the pits w/o insurance of any kind. It used to be if you owned your own home you could still get medicaid...I have heard of people actually getting divorced just so a spouse can get medicaid of some sort... That is really sad but does happen.. Julie
What I say is from the heart...To give, from my experiences..So others can feel well enough to do the same
Posts: 1552 | Location: Northern Ca. Wine country | Registered: March 18, 2003
I went on title 19 in the state of ct and $70K in medical bills were gone-poof!Same in FL just called something different and I got food stamps too! Welfare system. That is if you don't own anything or have a bank account which I didn't. They can't take blood from a stone was how I lived for 13 years. Never got a bill to pay!
Posts: 525 | Location: FL | Registered: November 14, 2004
There are Federally Funding Community Health Centers in most states. They see patients on a sliding scale. Many hospitals also see these same patients on a sliding scale. Surgeons may not be available on a sliding scale. You need to google Community Health Centers to find one in your area and go from there. These are a "life saver" for many uninsured folks. It is much harder to qualify for Medicaid.
Posts: 60 | Location: Black Hawk, CO | Registered: October 11, 2007
Holly, there is no "poof" and the bills are gone, someone is paying for these surgeries, nothing is for free. I will agree that there is a MAJOR problem with getting people covered for whatever their needs may be, be it major surgery or a splinter that needs attention. Everyone has to pay their way, be it state subsidized health care or on a sliding scale as suggested, everything comes at a cost. Scott Mc
Posts: 357 | Location: Scituate, Ma | Registered: November 03, 2003
Ya, so we helped Holly and thousands if not millions of others get the help they need thru our taxes and donations(which are deductable). I'm not going to complain about doing my part to help people in need. Nor am I going to wave that banner in front of someone who recieved those services because some one HAD to pay for it... To Holly I say congrats on being able to get help....Help is not free either, she had to be in some pretty dire straights to get the help she needed. To those who complain about taxes I say stop paying the landscaper under the table and tell your neighbor to do his share and pay into the tax system...If everyone who is supposed to pay taxes actually paid taxes, this country wouldn't be in this mess.... To those who need help with their medical care...I hope they are able to find a solution and I hope some of my taxes go to help you! Julie
What I say is from the heart...To give, from my experiences..So others can feel well enough to do the same
Posts: 1552 | Location: Northern Ca. Wine country | Registered: March 18, 2003
I guess you could equate it to what happens to dogs and cats, albeit without the euthanasia part...The ill person would have to beg some hospital and/ or doctor willing to take the case on. Although seriously, there are a huge amount of hospitals and doctor's that help the uninsured due to money(loans) given to or owed(from/to the govt.) and part of their payback policy is that these people and or cooperations due a certain percent of their work for the uninsured and the indigent. We have a hospital up here that is closing and that's pretty much all they have are indigent or uninsured patients...BUT they promised to take care a % of these folks...Now that the grant money is gone they suddenly can't afford to operate any longer.. So, anytime you see a hospital say they are loosing money its an udea to check what money's are being paid back thru this system and is actually helping the hospital to grow...I know they aren't making a ton of money but I think there stats could be look at a different angle.
What I say is from the heart...To give, from my experiences..So others can feel well enough to do the same
Posts: 1552 | Location: Northern Ca. Wine country | Registered: March 18, 2003
Lets get back on track folks. This thread is treading dangerously close to politics and needs to refocus on the issue: suggestions on how this person can get help. Leave the judgements for discussion on another site.
Posts: 2383 | Location: West Roxbury, MA 02132 | Registered: April 14, 2000
I just wanted to say check out state services. I live in NY and am under a state funded program called family health plus, for people who need insurance and don't qualify for medicade or other federal programs. Its a sliding scale and i only pay $5-$10's for appts and meds (no monthly fees). here is something interesting i found- http://www.nevadacheckup.state.nv.us/indexPLUS.htm -sara
Posts: 316 | Location: Queens, New York | Registered: July 31, 2006
