A little dilema...

[shannonroselive]

Just to be clear, this is NOT a post asking for money but rather IDEAS. I know Im not the only one in this predicament so I'm hoping to find someone who found the answer! Thanks for reading.

Yesterday, I accidentally cut my finger right through to the bone, severing the nerves. I got it stitched up but I need to have surgery to repair it or I wont be able to use it which means I can't cut hair, twist balloons, or much else that I do for money. Then, on my way home from the surgeons office, my phone rings and it's my other doctor with the results of the biopsy I had last friday. It turns out, the reason I've been feeling so bad lately is because the cancer has returned. This was clearly not my day!

So, the hand surgery is going to cost several thousand dollars and must be done within a week or it will be too late. I don't have, nor am I able to get insurance and there is no telling how much the cancer surgery etc is going to cost. I have no insurance because I am "uninsurable". No one WILL cover me because of my lousy medical history, not because I'm lazy or won't work. I was working, when I cut my finger only an hour or so into the job. I couldn't believe it! I am a subcontractor, so there is no workmans comp to cover me and I won't even get the measly $100 I was working for that day. UGH!

Everything I need done, has to be paid up front and out of pocket which there is no way I can do. I don't have any money and since I've been in and out of the hospital and Dr's offices so much lately I haven't been able to work much and the bills are piling up fast. I am not under 21, permanently disabled, or pregnant so I don't qualify for TennCare. (I'm in TN right now) As far as I know, I don't qualify for disability and even if I did, I believe it can take a couple years and a great attorney to fight for it. This ain't my first rodeo and cancer doesn't like to wait that long.

I'm NOT looking for handouts or a pity party, anyone who knows me knows I don't play that! I would happily make payments to satisfy the bills if the doctors, surgeons, and hospitals would go for that. I would just really like to get all this taken care of and get on with living!

So, my call to you is this. If any of you know how to beat the system, who to talk to, what the "secret" words are to use, where to go, know someone who knows someone, or any way I can possibly get the care that I need without having to pay up front for it, PLEASE let me know a.s.a.p!!!

I appreciate any new ideas. I'm worn out! Thanks in advance

[Tae1107]

I don't have an answer for you...but wanted you to know I was thinking of you...here in MA it is required that you have health insurance....and they have sliding scales....

Maybe someone else from TN will have some ideas for you....I will try and see what I can find out...

[Marissa101]

Oh my goodness, you poor thing! I hope you get everything worked out. I would love to help but I have no help here

[mickey3696]

Im not sure about there but In Texas we have a few Hospitals that take you no matter what you can or cannot pay. Galveston has a teaching Hospital so if you cant pay they get grants and stuff like that to help you. If you could look for something like that. Hope this help. I will be praying for you, PLEASE keep us updated. Ohh I just thought of something you culd come stay with us and go to Galveston for your surg.

[itzzbarb]

Bless your heart, you have been dealt a mess, haven't you? I was going to suggest what the previous poster said. Some hospitals have a fund that is made up of donations, just for your type of situation. Not everyone has insurance or the ability to pay, please talk to the business office and ask for assistance. Talk to the American Cancer Society, you are not the only one in this situation, and hopefully they can guide you on this. I will pray for you, and we are here for you.

[MyLadies]

I used to live in San Antonio (TX) and there was the University Health System that had it's own "insurance" type deal (Carelink), pay via sliding scale according to what you can afford. I see Mickey mentions one similar in Houston.

Is there anything like that in TN? University System in San Antonio had it's own doctors too that went by the same sliding scale. I just looked on the website and it says you have to be a resident of that county to access it though.

I feel for you so much. I wish I could offer magic words, but the above advise is all I have. I hope TN has something similar.

[Patti]

I am so sorry you are having such hard times. In Chicago there is a hospital that has to take uninsured patients. Most hospitals will set up payment plans but I don't know if too many doctors will. Can you apply for Medicaid? I pray you can get the medical help you need. Please keep us posted.

[megansmomma]

There is always assistance but you need to dig around for the help. Start by calling the hospital in your area and ask to speak to their social worker who will be able to point you in the right direction. I am positive there is help out there. If you need an ear to listen I would be more than willing to lend mine.

[AbbysMom08]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I don't have an answer for you but
I surely will keep you in my prayers.

[shannonroselive]

Thanks everyone for the ideas.

I have applied and been turned down for medicare/tenncare and have spoken to the social worker but so far I don't qualify for any programs. They sure can come up with a lot of lame reasons a person can't get medical coverage around here.

The hospital I was in about my heart is the one the uninsured, poor, homeless, etc. are sent to and I'm still receiving bills from them but they are also the ones who sent me home untreated because I didn't have "what they thought I had" and said to see my regular doctor. I DID show the hospital docs the lump and they blew it off, they never even felt it because they didn't think it was related to my heart problem...turns out they were wrong, as usual.

Anyway, I don't have a regular doc so I go find one (several) get felt up, ignored, and sent on my way. Most of them end up asking me if I've ever been treated for depression. The answer is no, because I'm not depressed! I live most peoples wet dream! My life (typically) rocks! I have nothing to be depressed about! Pissed off, yes. But that's because the docs aren't doing their job, they're just worried about getting paid! Anyway, I have to pay anywhere between $95 and $375 up front to be seen. The last one finally sent me for a biopsy last friday and the results are in. I was right all along but it's taken several months to get anyone to listen! So now, it's back to the specialist on Monday, where I'll have to pay cash up front once again for the appointment and any tests I need run and then whatever he says from there.

Meanwhile, my hand wouldn't be covered by anything anyway, even at the cheap hospitals because they say it's "cosmetic" since it won't kill me if I don't do it. Lots of people do just fine without a finger, or even an arm. I get that, and I feel like a real whiner wanting to get this done but this particular finger is REALLY an integral part of my work.

I'm sure it will all work out, it always does. It's just a bit nerve wracking on the way. Thanks for the ideas though!

[ashleere]

Here in California where I live our Hospital is owned by a Healthcare District. I used to work for them and uninsured people could go and get grants for healthcare and/or sliding scale. Also, it is illegal for any hospital to turn a patient away because of inability to pay. Also unethical. I would call the Cancer Society and see if they can assist you, or the Catholic Charities. I don't think it matters what religion you are, if they can help they will. Good luck and please keep us updated.

[sugarmamma]

In Florida we have hospitals that HAVE to treat you even if you repay $5/month for life! Is TN the same? If not take heed of all of the offers here and come by one of us who is willing to provide assistance in at least a physical way

[Erin]

Everyone keeps saying they have to treat you - but they don't have to treat you they just have to save your life. If it's not what they deem "life threatening" like an appendicitis, they can discharge you just like they have done. It really sucks!

You need to find a job that has day 1 insurance. Typically schools have day 1 insurance. Many jobs make you wait 30 to 90 days. The only way to get insurance when you are "uninsurable" is to get employer sponsored coverage. If you work somewhere that has insurance, they CANNOT deny you. They might be able to use some "pre-existing" crap against you, but it depends on the policy and when you last had insurance. See, you have to have insurance to get insurance sometimes. It REALLY sucks. You may need to move, work a job for minimum wage, etc. but it's definitely your best option to find a job that has coverage from the day they hire you. It's difficult to take off work immediately for your hand but it would definitely allow you to get treatment for your cancer.

Can you be like a teacher's aide or even work for the park district or local government? Something like that? I worked at a school for a couple years as a secretary because I really needed good insurance. I had 2 surgeries that were pretty much paid for, even though I had a very small salary. It was worth the trade off of not having a "career" to have good insurance. ( I wish we didn't have to make that decision in this country! )

I'm really sorry this has happened to you Unfortunately there are a lot of hard working people who fall through the cracks because they don't have employer sponsored coverage and can't get a company to approve them for insurance no matter how much it costs.

Another option is to try those teaching hospitals & clinics that could get you into a trial or allow you to pay payments. Do you make enough to get a loan for the care? Can you sell your car? What do the hospitals suggest you do if you can't afford it?? Start calling doctors *everywhere* and try to find one that can do it for less. I know when I had surgery at a "surgery center" it cost a lot less than having the surgery (with the same doctor) at the hospital. I'll keep thinking and I'll let you know if I think of anything else. I would just get on the phone and not stop calling until you find someone who will help you!!

[Ellie May]

I have no idea how it works in TN, but with our local hospital, if you can't get state assistane and don't have insurance, you apply for their charity program and they cover everything that is done there. Most hospitals seem to take payments of $50 a month or something too. There has got to be hospitals where you are that offer similar services.

[shannonroselive]

Originally Posted by Erin

Everyone keeps saying they have to treat you - but they don't have to treat you they just have to save your life. If it's not what they deem "life threatening" like an appendicitis, they can discharge you just like they have done. It really sucks!
This is absolutely true! I'm glad someone understands how it really works.

You need to find a job that has day 1 insurance. Typically schools have day 1 insurance. Many jobs make you wait 30 to 90 days. The only way to get insurance when you are "uninsurable" is to get employer sponsored coverage. If you work somewhere that has insurance, they CANNOT deny you. They cannot deny me but when they found out, they fired me. They don't need a cause to fire anymore apparently. They might be able to use some "pre-existing" crap against you, but it depends on the policy and when you last had insurance. My friend even offered to marry me to get his insurance but the preexisting always prevails.

See, you have to have insurance to get insurance sometimes. It REALLY sucks. You may need to move, work a job for minimum wage, etc. but it's definitely your best option to find a job that has coverage from the day they hire you. I've never heard of this but at this point, there isn't much time to work until after I'm done with the cancer.
It's difficult to take off work immediately for your hand but it would definitely allow you to get treatment for your cancer.

Can you be like a teacher's aide or even work for the park district or local government? Sure. Something like that? I worked at a school for a couple years as a secretary because I really needed good insurance. I had 2 surgeries that were pretty much paid for, even though I had a very small salary. It was worth the trade off of not having a "career" to have good insurance. ( I wish we didn't have to make that decision in this country! )

I'm really sorry this has happened to you Unfortunately there are a lot of hard working people who fall through the cracks because they don't have employer sponsored coverage and can't get a company to approve them for insurance no matter how much it costs.

Another option is to try those teaching hospitals & clinics that could get you into a trial or allow you to pay payments. Thats what I did. It was the clinic and learning hospital I was at. They are the ones who sent me home without figuring out WHY my heart is messed up. I'd like to go back and slap them and tell them the real reason!
Do you make enough to get a loan for the care? Not anymore. Can you sell your car? Did that for the last set of useless doctors.
What do the hospitals suggest you do if you can't afford it?? "We're really sorry, wish there were something we could do." Start calling doctors *everywhere* and try to find one that can do it for less. I know when I had surgery at a "surgery center" it cost a lot less than having the surgery (with the same doctor) at the hospital. The surgeon actually suggested this and I was happy too but then when he called, they don't have the microscope he needs to perform the surgery. We were both crushed.

I'll keep thinking and I'll let you know if I think of anything else. I would just get on the phone and not stop calling until you find someone who will help you!!

This is the plan for Monday when businesses open again!

THANK YOU for your help!!!