octors, medical insurance people and lawyers... what can I do?????

[freyar]

Unfortunately, I feel like I need to through some cold water on some of the advice. Moving to Canada wouldn't by itself solve your problems (certainly not as a tourist); you'd also have to get a job there (at least in Quebec, and I think the other provinces). Furthermore, work permits can be denied if a family member has a "serious medical condition," though you might be able to avoid checking that box if there's no diagnosis yet. I don't know the real legal implications of that. Also, once you get the work permit and get moved here (again, from my personal experience as a foreign worker in Quebec), you have to apply for the insurance and wait 90 days, basically so they make sure you're not just a tourist. Once you're in, the system is good, but they don't want tourists taking advantage of it.

So, short version: I think you need to try to find something faster. Unfortunately I don't have any great advice in the states other than asking, like Umbran and Danny said.

 

[megamania]

I appreciate the ideas given so far.

My wife has made contact with many help programs including one based within the hospital we normally use.

I have about five sets of paperwork to fill out that remainds me of when we bought the house. Its a stack.


I am also looking up various insurance programs.

Originally, the cut off for income vs need was several thousand beyond what we earned when I had to decide whether to keep the insurance or not. Due to the overwhelming outcry of people in my position, the state has opened the income limits up a bit and we should at least have partial aid.... but again its a mountain of paperwork but it apparently also covers anything that has happened within the past 6 months which may mean I have money coming back from my Lyme disease and my daughter's Swine Flu visits and treatments.


The wife has also been talking to several nurses whom off the record feel this may not be cancerous but still requires immediate medical treatment before it worsens (aka infects her whole reproductive system).

Also, my pride has taken a huge hit as she called her parents and they want to help including possibly taking out a loan in their own name that we have to pay back.


lord.... I need a 12 pack, a pizza and some gaming...........

thankyou again for the support and ideas. This is what makes EN World special. Where else can I talk about most everything that a gamer encounters.... here or on the game board.


Thankyou all very much.

Once I know more I'll try to remember to update here.

 

[Guest 85555]

I am sorry to hear about your wife. As someone who has had internal bleeding, take some hope knowing it could be something much less serious than cancer. Without knowing any particulars (and I don't feel you need to go into those on the forum unless you want to), I can't guess at what it may be. But I do know from my own experience, these things can turn out to be harmless. That said, I think it is prudent to heed your doctor's advice and have a specialist see her.

I am not a doctor or lawyer, but I have been without insurance before. I don't know what the laws are in your state, but my understanding is they have to treat you even if you don't have insurance. You will end up with a giant bill though. Have you tried just taking her to the emergency room?

As a massachusetts resident, I can vouche for the Mass Health program. If you don't mind relocating, you may be eligible for some very affordable insurance if you become a mass resident. Just be aware that the paper work can be annoying, and if you so much as dot an "i" incorreclty you can lose your coverage. Still, if you are struggling, you can end up paying as little as 50 dollars a month (sometimes zero dollars a month) for health insurance.

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

Make sure you search all over the country. There's a ridiculously huge range in cost between hospitals for a given treatment, even in the same region. [EDIT] I've found that cost info is almost impossible to come by. Here are a couple sites that may or may not be helpful for cost comparisons, if you haven't found them already:
new choice health
navigate global health
[/EDIT]

Someone also mentioned international "medical tourism". I know it sounds weird, and I'm not sure how well that works for cancer treatments, but I've looked into it for operations, and there are good deals out there that bring costs down 20-80%, depending on the treatment and the country. Different countries specialize in different things, so you have to do a lot of research, and you typically have to sort out some line of communication between a local doctor (for follow up exams) and the one in the other country.

It doesn't completely fix a problem like yours, because it still costs quite a bit, but it can make it significantly cheaper. I really sympathize, and I know a lot of other folks do, too. I've been without regular insurance for 4 years now, and completely without for a year, along with a couple medical issues of my own. So I feel your pain.

Best wishes to you and your wife.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

When's your open enrollment?

This, really, is why you want to try and keep your insurance. To quote Chris Rock, it's really meant to be "In Case S**t", not to pay for the occasional prescription.

As I should point out that a friend's brother's auto accident cost literally millions of dollars. Anthem covered it, but they actually wanted some of it back before they got the Kentucky state ombudsman to intervene.

Hopefully it'll work out for you. Good luck!

Brad

 

[megamania]

It's starting to feel a little bit like "It's a Wonderful life" around here.


I'm still filling out paperwork but Inlaws will cover what ever we can't and the minister of our church found out through word of mouth about the situation and he is contacting the State Deacon to see what can be done to help.


My pride is hurt but I have a warmth in my heart that I thought for sure was lost for a while there.


Again, thankyou for your help and encouragement.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Well, "pride" is actually one of the 7 Deadly Sins, so if yours got a little wounded, that may not be such a bad thing!

I'm glad your community and family are offering to help you in your time of need, and I'm just as glad that you and your wife are able to accept their help.

Best of luck, man, best of luck!

 

[megamania]

one doctor spent 15 mintes with her on Friday. had to pay him 300 up front and still owe him 960 dollars.

The main doctor spent 2 hours off and on with her. had to pay him 500 up front and owe him over 8000.

I hate doctors thoiurghly now


The good news, results are not in but it appears to NOT be cancer. She is recovering at home. Tired and extremely sore.

I have not heard back yet from any state, Federal or other group yet about help.

No X-mas spirit here but at least I'm joking around again.

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

That's fantastic news! It's good to hear the medical part at least is looking up. As for the financial part... well, you'll get that through that, as well. It really could be so much worse. Congrats! Glad you're looking forward to a much Merrier Christmas & Happier New Year!

 

[freyar]

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