Insurance Emergency

[XoBuBbLeSoX]

Hi,I was just wondering how many of us don't have insurance?I don't,and find it hard to pay for my testing, appointments, etc. I tried apllying for Social Security,so that I could get Medicaid through the welfare system here in Ohio.It didn't work though.So,now what?What are those without insurance doing?If anyone did get state medical assistance how did you go about achieving that?It actually ticks me off that all of the pregnant women with nothing wrong with them,and the ones with children but no health problems get medical provided by the state,and yet I need it desperately and can't get help.I work, but G.I. stuff is expensive and I don't have medical insurance provided for me by my employer.It sucks.I can't afford $175.00 just to walk into the G.I. office. Is anyone else actually at a point where thier Crohn's inables them to work?Could it ever get that bad?Just wondering,since I may not be able to follow through with all the nesseccary testing and may remain untreated.

 

[jed]

sorry to bear bad news, but yeah it can get that bad i had about 25 weeks off work last year......

fortuneately i'm in australia, 2 months in hospital cost me nothing, so does visiting a gp.

do you know any aussies you could marry? come on over, we'll look after you

 

[XoBuBbLeSoX]

sorry to bear bad news, but yeah it can get that bad i had about 25 weeks off work last year......

fortuneately i'm in australia, 2 months in hospital cost me nothing, so does visiting a gp.

do you know any aussies you could marry? come on over, we'll look after you

Lol!I think I like it here in corn field Ohio and I think people here would miss me. If I need health care that badly I could always move to Canada...it's closer to Ohio:lol: But on a serious note,my job would fire me for that much time off.How does your employer handle that?I hope you didn't get fired?

 

[Isla]

I have state Medicaid because of my daughter. I own my business and don't make very much, hence I can't afford to pay for medical insurance.

And just to add, pregnant women NEED medical care. They or their baby could end up dying without ever realizing anything is wrong. I know you are upset but blaming those who get a benefit that you want and can't get doesn't solve anything. I have been on some sort of welfare benefit for the past 6 years and people say all sorts of things about "welfare mothers" when they know nothing about poverty nor the system or why the rules are as they are. So lets try to refrain from putting others down or blaming them.

Can you sign a payment agreement with your doctors so that it is just a monthly charge? You can also try applying to the drug companies for their assistance programs to help pay for the costs of your prescriptions. There is also state run medication discounts and programs. There also should be in the nearest metro area, sliding fee clinics - they always have specialists on staff.

 

[jed]

But on a serious note,my job would fire me for that much time off.How does your employer handle that?I hope you didn't get fired?

yup, serious note time.

firstly, i forgot to mention i have gotten a whole lot better, should'nt have just mentioned the bad. we are destined to go up and down i think, at the moment things are pretty damn good

and i'm lucky that i work for a large corperation, so they were able to cover my absence. i've been there about 11 years now, so i also had a lot of sick pay accrued. my father worked there for 40 years before me, and both my brothers put in a combined 30 years there, so my family is well liked and hence they were very generous to me. still got my job

i hope your financial problems turn around for you, and i wish you the best of luck with your health.

 

[XoBuBbLeSoX]

Good that you didn't get fired,I've heard alot of people do when they take off for things like surgery or because of really bad flares...
About medical and pregnancy.I'm not judging someone for receiving state benefits what so ever!! I'm trying my butt off to recieve them also.I'm just saying it sucks that the system is so horrible. I agree pregnant women need health care. BUT in my point of view people who don't have kids and have medical conditions as we all here do also need the help. Not only women with kids. It just bothers me that women here in Ohio are getting state benefits for themselves...they are healthy and their kids were born years ago hence they are no longer pregnant.BUT people here with cancer or Crohn's or even AIDS etc etc... can not get state help,because the state believes they don't need it!Crazy!
You for example have Crohn's....that's serious and you need help...pregnant women yes need it....but in Ohio pregnancy will get you medical for yourself until your child is 18...even if you are healthy and well.I see the child needs it yes,and the mother does too....if she has health problems....but why if she is healthy? Yet men here in Ohio are women without children aren't eligible even if they are on a death bed?That's what my rank was about... not about people who really do need it as you do.

 

[Creepy Lurker]

We don't have these issues over here and I'm pretty thankful. I've read some pretty unpleasant stories over here of the tricks insurance companies will pull to not pay out.

 

[Isla]

Well there is a good reason for all women with children getting medical care. It actually saves the state money in the long run. Not only that - it is proved that children who's parents are medically insured grow up to eat healthier, be a healthier weight, and obtain health friendly habits over those who's parents do not have medical insurance. Lack of access to medical care has much farther reaching consequences than you could possibly imagine. Everything from career and job status to education and income variables. But I don't expect you to know this stuff - I am much older and have been in and around the "system" for a very long time.

What I DO find awful is that really sick people w/o children only have a few options. They can be so sick that they are on disability (i.e. social security disability) thus obtaining state medical insurance, they can choose to work despite being sick but thus not being able to afford medical care, or they can obtain an education and get a better job that offers better medical insurance. But it is like how are you supposed to work when you are so sick. We get it - I am just trying to broaden your horizons. Dropping the other shoe so to speak.

Are you looking into getting social security disability?

 

[XoBuBbLeSoX]

Well there is a good reason for all women with children getting medical care. It actually saves the state money in the long run. Not only that - it is proved that children who's parents are medically insured grow up to eat healthier, be a healthier weight, and obtain health friendly habits over those who's parents do not have medical insurance. Lack of access to medical care has much farther reaching consequences than you could possibly imagine. Everything from career and job status to education and income variables. But I don't expect you to know this stuff - I am much older and have been in and around the "system" for a very long time.

What I DO find awful is that really sick people w/o children only have a few options. They can be so sick that they are on disability (i.e. social security disability) thus obtaining state medical insurance, they can choose to work despite being sick but thus not being able to afford medical care, or they can obtain an education and get a better job that offers better medical insurance. But it is like how are you supposed to work when you are so sick. We get it - I am just trying to broaden your horizons. Dropping the other shoe so to speak.

Are you looking into getting social security disability?

I am looking into social security,I recently filed.The qualifications for ss are beyond me.I am not eligible and know it...(I read the guidelines for ibs on the social security site)Doesn't look good for me.I can't even afford a diagnosis.I am sick but don't feel I need ss.Just insurance.I know I'm not as sick as you need to be to be eligible.(multiple resections and not responding to therapy for a 12 month period) I can't even get enough assistance to be diagnosed.My doctors at the hospital and in the e.r. have:
probable diagnosis-crohn's
in my records and my ct scan radiology report. that's it.
I'm trying to find some goverment program to help fund my testing and everything right now through welfare.My now case worker...(just applied Monday)is helping me out to try to find places to fund my g.i. care for me to get a definitive diagnosis so I can receive proper treatment...although I'll be paying for that if I can afford it. Atleast I'll have a way to get the nesseccary testing done,since I don't have that kind of cash up front...(working for about $800 per month)
I'll let you know how it all goes.
AS is now, I have a g.i. consult on Friday

 

[teeny5]

Do you qualify for state disability?

 

[drew_wymore]

You might be able to look at charitable organizations who help with medical needs. I did lose my job because of being sick ... it sucks but it is what it is. I am also looking to possible help with state medical aid soon too as my work insurance coverage is up at the end of the month.

 

[XoBuBbLeSoX]

Not eligible for disability either.But my caseworker is looking into those charitable programs and goverment funding so I can get tesing done....

 

[Isla]

Religious affiliated clinics and hospitals ALWAYS have a program to help those in need. Look for "Saint >blank<"

 

[XoBuBbLeSoX]

I went to the g.i. today. Just got home.good news... they are finding me a carenet provider to take on my case and give my testing for free.Later on today I'll be getting a call for my appointments for a colonoscopy and and upper g.i. I'm elated that something worked out for me.Simply phenomenol.On the sad note...what I already knew is now almost a definitive. My g.i. says its almost a given for Crohn's from what she can see on my ct scan...Atleast I'll be getting some treatment now soon though

 

[Isla]

Ya really it is like a sweet sadness. I am sorry to hear that it is probably Crohns but very glad you found some assistance in getting these tests done!!

 

[XoBuBbLeSoX]

Thanks.I'm still waiting to hear from my doctor's.Since everything is state funded they said it could be as long as November before anyone can see me to perform the testing... :-( But,when I find out more I'll clue everyone in.