Geo Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I would like to start with saying that I am 55 years old and have never had health insurance in my life. Twenty-three years ago I had a domestic "accident" and tore my rotator cuff very badly. We had no insurance, so I sucked it up and took ibuprofen and let time heal the injury...I mean it only took a couple of years for the ball of my humerus to stop falling out of the socket when I bent over, and only seven years for it to be weight bearing without pain. Well, this weekend I was doing some moderately vigorous house decluttering that involved lifting boxes of books and such (2014 is our 27th year homeschooling). Well, I really did it big this time. I'm in agony-no exaggeration. I had 2 hours of sleep until my shoulder woke me up and kept me up all night. Ibuprofen doesn't touch it, nor does the tramadol I begged off my husband. He is disabled after a work accident, and is on Medicare...which puts my kids on Medicaid. I however, have no coverage. I have gone to the health care Marketplace on-line and they want thousands for insurance just for me...and I can't even afford the deductible, let alone the premium. I'm SOL....and I don't swear for the most part. Supposedly, I Do qualify for a fine for not signing up for something I can't pay for. I have 2 special needs children and a disabled husband...and I don't qualify for a lick of assistance. Because of my age and no health care for this injury I am at serious risk for developing " frozen shoulder" on my right side. I'm right handed. I'd totally make payments to the doctor on a monthly basis for the rest of my life if I could. But of course, they don't do that. Credit cards are out of the question; interest and all. A loan is out because disability isn't considered "income" by the banks. So, I shall sit here and wither. I feel trapped, in pain, and I'm pissed. Those who pray, please pray for me. Thanks for listening, Geo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I would go to the ER. And I am not understanding why insurance on the exchange would cost you so much if you are living on your dh's disability. Please consider going in person to one of the official offices and get some help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in Appalachia Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 :grouphug: . I'll pray for you. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 A very deserving rant...I will pray for you right now. Our system of healthcare is a mess all the way around. I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 And I am not understanding why insurance on the exchange would cost you so much if you are living on your dh's disability. It is possible if the OP is in a state that declined the Medicaid expansion portion of the ACA. So, too poor for Obamacare subsidies, and not poor enough for (non expanded) Medicaid. There's still a huge hole in the safety net in those states. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 It is possible if the OP is in a state that declined the Medicaid expansion portion of the ACA. So, too poor for Obamacare subsidies, and not poor enough for (non expanded) Medicaid. There's still a huge hole in the safety net in those states. Oooooh. I see. I hope she will come back and tell us. I am in the middle of filling out health care.gov stuff and it is a nightmare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted February 26, 2014 Author Share Posted February 26, 2014 (edited) :grouphug: . I'll pray for you. :grouphug: Thank you neighbor...btw, I'm in Western North Carolina. Edited February 26, 2014 by Geo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted February 26, 2014 Author Share Posted February 26, 2014 Oooooh. I see. I hope she will come back and tell us. I am in the middle of filling out health care.gov stuff and it is a nightmare. NC did decline Medicaid expansion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted February 26, 2014 Author Share Posted February 26, 2014 I would go to the ER. And I am not understanding why insurance on the exchange would cost you so much if you are living on your dh's disability. Please consider going in person to one of the official offices and get some help. I don't understand it either. What are the "official" offices? It's very rural here, my town is the county seat and last I read we have a population of like 7,000 or something. Hardly a line at the Driver's License Office, though. :) The ER charges $600 for walking in the door. Besides, our small local hospital does not have a resident orthopedist (they can't afford it). I would have to wait for whoever was "on call" to arrive... at a higher fee, because it's an emergency, and he would be coming to me. I know this because I slipped on icy stairs and broke my wrist. I waited in a triage room for 12 hours that time....and paid the bill: $7000 for a broken wrist. He thought I most likely needed a plate(2 fractures inside the joint), so he wanted to set it in the operating room because he doubted it would be able to do it without surgery...he was successful, but I still had to pay for the operating room, and all he did was set it. Growl. We just swallowed and paid...it took 3 years to do it, and I felt so stupid for agreeing to that. Ishould have just made an appt at his office. I learned this from the locals, that's what they do. Of course, you might have to wait until next week for an appt:( my Ds did wait that long) when he broke his arm. My only defense is that It was my first broken bone and I had never been to an ER here....and it HURT! I was fresh meat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Praying. If you go to the ER, they have to treat, right? Then you can pay a little every month for the rest of your life. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I'd totally make payments to the doctor on a monthly basis for the rest of my life if I could. But of course, they don't do that. Credit cards are out of the question; interest and all. Yes, if you put it on a credit card, it would mean you'd have to pay interest on it,which would be expensive. But losing the use of your right arm would also be expensive, in terms of lost potential wages and many other costs, both up-front and long-term, both directly and indirectly related to the disability. If it's the only way you can afford treatment, it may be worth the extra expense when looked at in terms of the big picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Praying. If you go to the ER, they have to treat, right? Then you can pay a little every month for the rest of your life. :grouphug: No, they only have to "stabilize" you. So they would give her some pain killers to last a few days at most, and tell her to go see an orthopedist during the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RemsMom Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 That is just horrendous. I am sorry to hear this. I would definitely try to confirm your understanding of the health care exchange options, just to be sure you can't get something affordable. Can you go to any of these federal health care facilities? http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx I think they operate on a sliding scale. Or maybe this list of other clinics with sliding scale charges is helpful ? https://www.needymeds.org/free_clinics.taf?_function=list&state=nc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Anne Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I am so sorry this happened to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Lousy, I hope you can get the help you need somehow. :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeachyDoodle Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Here's a directory of free clinics in NC. I don't know what kinds of services they provide, or if there's one in your county, but it couldn't hurt to look. http://www.ncfreeclinics.org/ :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Free clinic? The one in my area (not NC) has a sliding scale with one copay for whatever you need done. Donations cover MRI's, surgery, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tabinfl Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Glad to see free / sliding scale clinics mentioned. Our local clinic exists for exactly this situation: people who don't qualify for gov't assistance but can't afford insurance on their own. Doctors (some of the best in the area), nurses, and pharmacists donate their time; specialists see clinic patients free of charge; labs, imaging centers (x-ray, MRI, etc.), and even the hospitals donate services. It may take you some itme to get an appointment, but please give it a try, you are what they're there for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicMama Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 I'm so sorry to hear that you are dealing with the frustration of insurance problems on top of the pain of your injury. Ask around for clinic/hospital prices for cash payments, or see if they have a sliding scale option. I have used both in the past. I hope you find relief soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazzie Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 You might be able to find affordable help from an excellent chiropractor. I recently discovered they can adjust shoulders, clavicles, elbows, wrists, and even feet. I had had shoulder issues including lots of pain and limited range of motion, not as bad as yours, but still hurting for over a year and it was better after five visits. We have never had insurance that covers chiropractic, and here it is $60 per visit, which is pricy, but not compared to the numbers mentioned above! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I'm so sorry, praying for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandst Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I will be praying for you. I am so sorry to hear this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I'm so sorry. I know so very little about all of this, but do you have a county health clinic in your area? We have a county health clinic in our town that works with you in any way they can, at least with your first visit. They also help you sort through what health assistance you may qualify for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 {{tender hugs}} Being caught in a medical need/no insurance or no money "net" is an awful life experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlett Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I keep looking for an update....:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Make some calls to local social services or community organizations to find out what's out there. For instance, there is a clinic in our community run by a coalition of organizations specifically for the underinsured population. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaffeineDiary Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Also, contact your State government officials and make sure they understand that their decision to decline Medicare expansion has had a real human cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I keep looking for an update....:( Same here. I hope she's OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeachyDoodle Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 I keep looking for an update.... :( Me too. OP, let us know how you are if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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