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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Breast Cancer / June 2006Disappointing news
Hi, folks. I called the hospital today to find out what I needed to do for my pre-op tomorrow; you know, like fasting or whatever. I went through 3 different people and was finally told I need $6,000 USD up front in order to have anything done. Well........heck....... I don't have it! Who the heck does? No pre-op, no surgery. I'm on my own. I point blank asked them, so, you're just going to let me die? They said, "I'm sorry ma'am. I feel for your situation, I really do, but there's nothing we can do." Yeah. I'm happy. So, I'm re-applying for medicaid to see if I qualify because I'm out of options. If I don't qualify again, my husband and I are going to get a divorce because at that point I *will* qualify. How screwed up is that? I live in, supposedly, the best country in the world and they just want to let me die. Yeah, I'm happy. Sorry for the rant, but you wouldn't believe how pissed off I am. kili >Sorry for the rant, but you wouldn't believe how pissed off I am. I am so sorry for your situation, and I can imagine how p.o.'d you are, but I can't imagine how you feel. You've already had to wait soo long to find out what's going on. I know nothing about the US health system, but is there no charity or public hospital who can help you? My prayers are with you. I really don't know what else to say. Love, Geraldine > >Sorry for the rant, but you wouldn't believe how pissed off I am. > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Geraldine Thanks, Geraldine, I appreciate it. The US health system is in serious need of repair. I am so disappointed. Well, at least I can get the over-the-counter pain med Aleve to take the edge off. Sigh. kili If the hospital receives some federal funding they have to provide free care. Did you ask to speak to a social worker ? I know you are in a remote area, but a public or teaching hospital has to provide free care. Sorry to hear about your news. Alex > Hi, folks. > [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > kili > If the hospital receives some federal funding they have to provide free > care. Did you ask to speak to a social worker ? > I know you are in a remote area, but a public or teaching hospital has to > provide free care. Sorry to hear about your news. > Alex Yeah, Alex, I got a social worker, thank goodness! She's going to work on my case. She seems really nice, really understanding and helpful, so we'll see. It's just more waiting. She says if Medicaid will not kick in, hopefully a place 5 hours away *may* take me. Wish me luck! kili >I went through 3 different > people and was finally told I need $6,000 USD up front in order to have > anything done. Kili, Sorry about your problem. Before the surgeon scheduled your surgery, didn't he determine what kind of health insurance you had? Same with the hospital. It's standard procedure. I'm asking because with all my many surgeries (too many) the very first thing they want to know is your insurance coverage. What kind of hospital is this anyway? I can't see how they could have scheduled your surgery without knowing that apparently you have no insurance. S.K. > >I went through 3 different > > people and was finally told I need $6,000 USD up front in order to have [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > S.K. S.K. I live in a very rural area and there were only 2 surgeons that would even see me with no insurance. This has been a struggle. They went ahead and scheduled surgery thinking I have $6,000 in my pocket???????? Um, HELLO! No one told me this. No one told me much of anything, so far. I'm in the dark, I'm scared and I'm still waiting. It's the pits. Meanwhile, I'm hanging onto my husband. :~) kili The hospital did the same thing to us. We were fortunate that it was only $2000.00. They only told us this a few days before the surgery. We did a little more digging with our insurance company and found we may have to pay up to $5000.00 more before this is over. I am sure this has nothing to do with the drain illegal's are putting on our health care system...... Yah right!!! Good luck with your battle. It is nice to get each step out of the way. Craig >> >I went through 3 different >> > people and was finally told I need $6,000 USD up front in order to have [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > kili > The hospital did the same thing to us. We were fortunate that it was only > $2000.00. They only told us this a few days before the surgery. We did a [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Craig Ha! Yeah, illegals can get health care; we can't. I'm "glad" (not really) that I'm not alone in this fight. We've got to do something to change the system. It's just not right. kili Maybe we can be illegals in Canada.... he he he, Craig >> The hospital did the same thing to us. We were fortunate that it was only >> $2000.00. They only told us this a few days before the surgery. We did a [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > kili I feel your pain, you are in a bad situation, except the US healthcare is a free market. I pay every week for a family HMO .....which costs me about $75/week. Why should I bother with insurance if anyone can walk in and claim they don't have health insurance.? I would love to save all the money I have paid for preminums over my life. The alternative is for you to apply for Medicaid, except you are not disabled (yet...and hopefully won't be) or apply for free care, you best bet is to go to a teaching hospital and go to the clinic where the medical students rotate. Florida is not that big a state , we have driven east to west and north to south it would be hard to drive 6 hours....unless you drove from the keys to Jacksonville. Offer to set up a payment plan. Hospitals that receive federal monies have to offer financial assistance, you may have to travel and wait. Also see if the state has an uninsured pool for breast cancer. Otherwise, take out a loan, sell some of your belongings, ask your family for help or your community. Work a second job. I worked ( part time during my treatment and 2 jobs after it was completes) It is important to have a biopsy, I wish I could be more encouraging but it is tough without insurance..... Alex >> The hospital did the same thing to us. We were fortunate that it was only >> $2000.00. They only told us this a few days before the surgery. We did a [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > kili Some have an out of pocket cost. When i had my back surgery innn 1996 in NYC I had to open up their charge card and pay on $1500.00 and then everything went 100% Pami That is pathetic news. I am on Medicare and I have a supplement...I haven't paid one dime so far. Do you live in NY? My son is not working and I will apply for insurance for him through this plan because he is over 21. I hear ya on the divorce thing but trust me it's not worth doing that...try other avenues. I am in stage 2 Invasive Ductal Cncer. I just had a Mastectomy on 5/5?06 with 3 positive nodes. I just completed my second chemo and have 2 more to go. I am also getting a reconstructionat age 51 this is way to young for me. Keep your chin up...you can't let this sit...you need to act. Pami Don't you have to be permanently disabled to get Medicare? How can your son qualified if he is not disabled? Health insurance is expensive, my daughter graduated from college and if she wasn't moving on it would be $500/month through cobra. Alex > That is pathetic news. I am on Medicare and I have a supplement...I > haven't paid one dime so far. Do you live in NY? My son is not working [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Keep your chin up...you can't let this sit...you need to act. > Pami >Don't you have to be permanently disabled to get Medicare? How can your son >qualified if he is not disabled? [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >> Keep your chin up...you can't let this sit...you need to act. >> Pami Is universal medicare on the agenda for the US elections in the future? It isn't perfect here in Canada, but it seems a lot better than not getting surgery when you have to have it. My heart goes out to you. I am permanently disabled with steel rods in my spine....now breast cancer. My son has to get insurance on his own now but we have this plan in our area that goes according to income and if he isn't working he isn't working. He never was under my Medicare...that's only me and me only.. Pami |
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