Question about self pay? - Page 3 - ThinnerTimes

BuCwiLd · 06-11-2008, 09:28 PM

wow that must have took a huge amount of courage to go to mex

Olusha · 06-11-2008, 10:17 PM

It did, but I researched thoroughly. My surgeon had done MANY surgeries and I talked online and on the phone to quite a few of his patients.

I have lived in South America before as an exchange student and my host father was a doctor, so not only do I speak Spanish, but I'm naturally predisposed to be less judgemental about the entire sitaution.

At least I was more open than a lot of my friends and family in the beginning. I really looked at the surgeon and the hospital and let the "oh my god, it's a developing country" thoughts go.

The hospital was so much nicer than any hospital I've been in in the US. The place where my mom got hers done is in Seattle and had missing ceiling tiles, water damaged floors and it was just run DOWN. The place I went to had marble floors and free wifi

I also took an RN with me

That helped tremendously.

frances · 06-12-2008, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuCwiLd

yes they are obligated to provide care, but you will be bakrupt afterwards

OH, well I wasn't speaking to medical costs, only to the statement that people die every day because they are denied treatment.

Tambo · 06-12-2008, 06:08 AM

I was self pay. I had my surgery done in Fort Lauderdale it was 25k. and that was with no complications. 10 weeks out of surgery and would pay for it all over again.

Parts Guy · 06-12-2008, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frances

Then they are going to the wrong emergency rooms for their care. If a hospital accepts federal monies (i.e. Medicare) or state monies (Medicaid) it is ILLEGAL to refuse care to anyone. If there is a situation where someone is dying and a public hospital refuses care, they have ONE HECK of a lawsuit on their hands.

AS a matter of fact there was a case recently (Martin Luther King Harbor) in LA where they did not treat a woman and she died. Now they didn't necessarily deny treatment for money, but she still died. That hospital since lost its Medicare CMS contract and since has actually been closed.

They were found (not in the case I cited) to have violated the EMTALA law which is a basic law that says if someone has an emergency you MUST treat them. Then you can transfer them elsewhere after the emergency is over.

I guess you can tell that I work for a hospital so I get a little concerned when I hear that people think hospitals turn people away for not having a way to pay. If it is a TRUE emergency, and they are a public hospital - that simply isn't true.

And no, I am not a clinical person, just familiar with hospital rules and regulations dictated by the government.

I am not talking about emergency's at all. I am talking about the millions of people that have no insurance that can not afford to even see a doctor at all. There are many of us out here that have insurance and still face thousands of dollars of medical bills on yearly basis (me included). They die every day in this country and its a sin.

Look at me for example, I feel at this point and time that my diabetes and other issues (sleep apnea, hypertension, ect ect) is so bad that this surgery will pretty much save my life. I have worked my entire adult life (60-90 hours a week) in an enviroment where I often but my job before my family, my health, and so many other things I still find it a bit inconcievable that I actually made it through it. Then when I need the help the most my employer and insurance company are now where to be found. The only reason I am getting this operation is because I have good credit and can get a loan for the surgery. This loan is going to be an incredible burden on my family for many years to come, my children are going to go with out some things because of this loan and it makes me very sad that I have to do this AND STILL PAY MY $606.00 a month for health insurance.

The difference between someone dying and some living a healthier and happier life should never be dictated by a score at a credit bureau or bank account and thats what it boils down to.

Alright I am going to stop ranting now......