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dafn8r53 
2:27pm, December 22, 2008
I have insurance, I have a job, I go through all the PET, MRI and CT scans my doctor sends me to, and the co-pays (40%) are tearing me to shreds. All the extra cash I used to have for fun things, is now spent on staying alive. It just doesn't seem fair that you work your whole life, do things right, get sick, and then get poor as a result of that sickness. Does anyone know of any pots of gold at the end of any rainbows?
Comments
Maybe you could do some kind of a fundraiser. Put jars around at gas stations b/c u and I know we have a great community here. I wish that I had a better answer for ya. Keep ur head up. Hugs scott
mardiman
I saw the headline and it caught my eye. I have a huge medical therapy I have to go through and we are talking beaucoup bucks. Medicare does better then your insurance, at 20% left to you, plus it really gets those costs down, but I am going to be left with about 6-12 grand...and Im on disabililty SS!! Got anxiety going for me big time.
I just read an article that you can negotiate costs some with doctors excetra, that nothing is set in stone. I never had thought of dr fees as a negotiating platform. Also perhaps you could ask to speak to a liason of the affiliated hopsital or social worker who deals with the financial end of it.
Its sad, but when I had cancer, I thought of setting up payments on everything, then doing bankruptcy after. I am one who always pays my bills, but you feel reduced to doing something like that, and it makes you feel bad.
You might also ask your doctor of any local support groups and sometimes they can have ideas that have worked for them. I think it is harder dealing with all the red tape, paperwork, financial ends and stress that goes with it, then it does the illness...and it always is worse when your sick! Like compounded!! I was alone and had no one to depend on so I do know what it feels like. It is so exhausting. Always seems there is something you have to "fight" extra hard for. Oh another thing..I didnt know this either till I was heavy into the radiation/drug infusion stuff, many insurance companies have a care manager who can help you too. They can take over your case and help you negotiate the tough stuff. So there is another possibility for you.
Hang in there!
foxie77
Where are your outpatient services performed? Are they attached to a non-profit hospital? If so, check with the financial counselors, who in my opinion should already have made contact with you. If you're up to putting yourself through more intrusive examination - this one of a financial nature - you may be able to qualify for financial assistance. Neither healthcare providers nor insurance companies can afford any more bad publicity at this point in the political game they've made of our healthcare. I'm working and have better than average health insurance. My husband was laid off in March and we can't afford the $500/month it would cost to put him on my employer's plan. How sad that we're punished for being ill. This experience has made me view homeless people in an entirely different light.
SpringChikn
Life's a bitch, then ya die.
asadheart
For the most part, you've been given some good advice here. Trying to work things out through a hospital liasison and/or social worker sounds like where I'd start myself. Regarding that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, if I find it, you'll be at the top of my list regarding who to share it with! :)
SNOWTOP
Thanks to all of you for some good, sensible advice! God bless ya'll!
dafn8r53