Got Bad News Yesterday; Question

[Jlso111187]

Raven123,

Have you talked to your hospital social worker? There are programs to help those who cannot afford things like that, They take it based on income but you may be able to get help from there to get test done as well as help with some of the medical bills.

 

[raven123]

Jlso,

Yeah, I know. Both hospitals are for-profit so "charity care" really is non-existent. One calls a 40% discount off full price "charity care". Not 40% off what BCBS pays but full price. BCBS usually gets a 50-60% discount based on when I had them years ago. Non-profit hospitals have good charity care. Just none here anymore. A non-profit was sold to a for-profit. Closest to me is 100 miles away. Thank you for replying.

 

[Jlso111187]

Raven,

Well that stinks. Do some research on the internet they may be programs to help. I will do some as well and if I find anything Ill let you know as you should be able to get the tests you need done.

 

[Rumors]

You can go to your local health department. There are doctors and nurses on staff there daily. They can also provide you with a list of healthcare providers in your area that work with patients on billing. If, in fact, the nurse was correct and you are having heart issues, that is something that should be monitored as taking a diuretic can also lead to dehydration if taken wrong or too long. Dehydration can cause numerous electrolyte issue that can, as well, cause heart issues.

I don't know about hospitals in your area, but even the for profit health care providers where I live have help for those who cannot afford medical care. Keep in mind that emergency rooms are subcontracted out and usually are not hospital owned. The hospital merely rents the space to a group, and then they bill separately. You only are billed by the hospital when you are admitted. An X-ray done in the ER could be billed separately by the hospital depending on what type of contract they have, but generally is part of the ER billing.

I would start with the health department and work your way around. ;)

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

I wish I had time to respond adequately, but am getting ready for church. It soothes my soul, and helps me connect with others also. I was a hermit for several years, and that did not serve me well.

I am a preacher's kid, and was forced to go to services at least 3 times a week until I was 16 and told my parents I quit. All the pastor preached about was short skirts, going to hell, and never being good enough. I feel that has played a role in my mental health for sure.

I go to church now, and I've found some wonderful friends there, and a few hypocrites, but try to ignore them, and just enjoy the good people and the music and the good spirit. It just makes me feel better. Being around people with a positive attitude helps a lot.

I am blessed to have a great doctor, who believes in treating the chronic pain of fibromyalgia and arthritis. Without the meds she gives me, I doubt if I would be walking. I 'hobble along' anyway if I overdo the walking.

It is SO wrong that medical care is unavailable or too expensive for so many people. My best friend is going blind and uses a wheelchair because she has refused to go into massive debt due to her health. I see her point, but hate what that decision has caused.

There is a lot of self-help in books and on the web, and sometimes it's the only way to go. Being disabled is a 'blessing' to me at this point. I do believe that my lifelong depression, and self-hate has played a huge part in my physical health.

I hope you are able to find some free care before a crisis comes along again.

Blessings to you,
AKJ

 

[raven123]

Rumors,

I used to go to the Health Department until recently. They saw me once a month in their ER diversion program. I got my blood tests for thyroid and BNP (till I was cured of congestive heart failure-CHF--last July 2012). A little over a month ago they told me I couldn't go there any longer, due to their budget, and referred me to a free clinic. The free clinic is great but there are no tests.

Because our hospital was sold to a for-profit, they (some foundation that got $100-200 million) were supposed to have a program for the poor to get tests and a clinic. They have yet to do any of those promises.

Now, our local good-for-nothing county commission is trying to screw the hospitals long-time employees, most of which have been let go, out of their retirement by taking it over and plundering it. Employees were all for selling the non-profit hospital to a for-profit. They thought almost nothing would change. They were stupid. I, and others told them, all this would happen and they'd be replaced. I had dealt with this for-profit in another city when I lived there and "George" is their God. So, now they've all been replaced with new grads that have no clue what they are doing. Used to be a great hospital. Now, unless you want to die in the ER from incompetence, you go to the other for-profit. They tried to bill me $2,500 for an Xray last year. That hospital would be the last place I'd go.

They told me last year basically go die and leave us alone. I even asked, "So, I should just go die if I can't get $xx.xx?" Answer was yes beating around the bush unless I could get Medicaid. This was their "social worker". Now, had I been female, it would've been a little different. That's how it works. I really hope that bitch one day finds herself in my position. Florida is a very bad state to get sick in. There is little here and little state-wide I found last year. I would tell you more, but my post would be censored.

 

[I Can Do This]

What really is loving yourself anyway?

It is the key a life worth living. And the key to loving others and having connection. When we don't love ourselves, life is long, hard, lonely, and bitter. It is worth learning how, or why - and it is free.

 

[Rumors]

Baptist health is a non-profit hospital in your area and provides care to those who are not insured. It doesn't mean you don't have a responsibility for your bill, however it does mean that you can receive treatment and they will work out a payment plan as low as $5 a month with you. They also have urgent care clinics but it sounds like you might need more than what an urgent care clinic can do in a timely manner.

I have had an inside track on this subject matter. I haven't ever known a 2500 X-ray bill. A scan possibly but not an X-ray, unless of course they did several X-rays. It is possible that these things can get coded wrong, however, it is usually worked through with a phone call. Florida happens to have a high hospital rate per capita because of the retirees down there. If you had someone tell you to basically go die last year, you should report them. That is not the norm nor is it acceptable. Baptist has a decent track record and the ER is owned by them. You should start there.

Sacred heart is another not for profit option in your area. Select Specialties is investor owned but runs a high standard of care routine and has been, in the past, divested in the communities in which they give care. Once again, all of these expect payment but will set you up on payment plans that are incredibly reasonable. There is also an HCA investor owned hospital and I don't know too much about their care practice. In the 80's HCA was sketchy but they could have turned around. More than likely their ER is subcontracted out as well.

Raven, there are some options for you. I know you say that they are driven by George but they don't stay in business if they give free health care to everyone. They can't. Most businesses are driven by George. It sucks but it is fact. I urge you to go, pay what you can monthly, but most of all take care of yourself. You simply cannot ignore those types of symptoms. There is help available and they will treat you but you have to be willing to accept it AND you can't find fault and a reason not to do it if it doesn't go exactly the way YOU plan. That is life! It is messy, and it is chaotic, and it never goes the way you want it exactly. However, your choice is to move forward and be active in your care and healing or go home and do nothing. Go read the Baptist Hospital standard of care booklet. They typically all say they afford the highest standard of care despite the patients ability to pay.

My favorite saying, "Give up, Give in, OR Give it all you've got!"

Best wishes, Raven.

 

[raven123]

Rumors,

Sent you a DM.

I'm only asking for what I qualify for and what my taxes in the past paid for. That money for that hospital was supposed to go for services to the poor in this area. It hasn't. That is the taxpayer's money. We all paid for that hospital they gave away and that was the deal when they sold it. I'm gonna stop. It burns me up. Bunch of liars.

 

[raven123]

AKJ,

"It is SO wrong that medical care is unavailable or too expensive for so many people. My best friend is going blind and uses a wheelchair because she has refused to go into massive debt due to her health. I see her point, but hate what that decision has caused."

That is more common than you think. Heartbreaking and sad. She should get the treatment then file bankruptcy. That's what 50% of bankruptcies are for.

Blessings to you, too. xoxo

 

[Rumors]

Raven,
I sent you a pm back. Sacred heart is a member/division of Ascension Health out of St Louis and is not for profit. Sacred Heart there is run by Susan Davis who came from another area of Ascension. It is not run or owned by county government. Someone has mislead you about that. The ground under the hospital possibly could be owned by someone else even the county but they would have no say in healthcare.

 

[raven123]

Rumors, Billing told me they were for-profit. Snt a PM (personal message). They are certainly run like one. They refused me service several times last year till I paid the whole bill.