Yesterday, my dd9 fell going up the stairs. She cried and held her arm, so I iced it and gave her ibuprofen. Of and on she complained about it hurting. She is still complaining and now not using it. I feel like I need to have it checked out. The thing is, we have no health insurance. I have applied or the CHIPS program for the kids and been accepted, but it won't be effective until 12/01. I called to see if it could be retroactive to the application date, but was told "no'. We can swing a doctor appt. but with x-rays, I just don't know if the money is there. We used most of our cushion with dh's accident and the air going out in my van. We've called around to see if we can find someone to work with non-insured patients, but had no luck so far. I hate to go to the ER. I don't feel like it warrants that, but I'm beginning to think, I may not have a choice. Of course, then I'll have a bill for twice as much as a dr. would have cost.
The kids are on healthwave (state program) and ours does cover prior 3 months. As to talk to a supervisor and make sure. Sometimes they are workers and really don't know all the ins and outs. We also have a clinic here so check up there. Explain the situation and see if they can't help. Praying for your daughter.
I would suggest Urgent Care over the ER. They are still more expensive than a regular doctor visit, but less than the ER. This type of injury would fall into UC coverage.
I am sorry that happened! Poor kid! I hear you on the health insurance.. we are in the same boat. I would agree with urgent care.. and remember that as long as you are making small payments.. you will be ok. I hope it all works out for you and your family! I hope your dd feels much better soon!!
The urgent care centers would not let us make payments. They required all fees up front. Just the visit fee was $97 plus the cost of x-rays would have put it over $300. One clinic would allow payments, but only if you had been there before. We're new here, so we didn't qualify. Dh came home and took her to the ER, so I could stay here with the other kids. After all the drama, it probably won't be broken, but at least I feel better having it checked out. Three of my 4 have had broken arms (including this dd).
I'm glad she is getting it checked. We ended up in the ER last weekend because the youngest got Shout in his eyes. He was blind for 2 days from it!! I felt so bad for him. I pray that dd's arm is not broke, but you are smart to have it looked at!
if you carry her to the ER. they have programs for families with no ins. Most do and I'm pretty sure all do. I worked for a company that contracted with the hospital ( I worked at the hospital as patient rep) and I filled out charity apps, and several different apps for pts with no insurance and a lot of times you can get the visit for free or with a big discount for you. Ask about it. there will be something there to help you and that is what it is for. To Help. Hope all works out for you and Hugs to your dd. she is the same age as my son. I pulled him in Feb of this year and I left my job so I could give him my full attention.
That stinks about the Urgent Care. Ours is part of the hospital, but designed to keep less critical situations from clogging the ER. We even have one designed especially for children so it's usually pretty empty.
Oh my word! I am so sorry that she is hurting but feel equally sorry for all of you living in the US and don't have access to adequate health care without it gouging you to death - that is HORRIBLE. I really wish I had a genie lamp for all of you or at least a magical answer but all I can offer is my prayers for all of you.
I am glad she is getting looked at, too. I hope for the best outcome. I am sorry the clinic didn't work out.
I hope it isn't broken!! Medical care in the US sucks. Well not the care but how much you have to pay for it. You should just go in, pretend you don't speak english, and give a false SSN and then you can get free health care. Why is it that illigals get everything free that we tax paying citizens have to pay for? Really pisses me off big time. Sorry I am on a rant. I hope she feels better soon!
Little known fact... A state funded hospital cannot refuse care, even if you tell them up front that you cannot pay. Yes, they'll charge you. And yes, it will be outrageous. But even if you only pay $5/month they cannot report it to a credit agency. Hope you daughter is home, it's not broken and she is feeling better. HUGS!
Not true. I was sending $10 a month for DH's ER visit. They started mailing my checks back and I was told I needed to pay at least $20 p/m. I refused and kept sending $10 assuming this was the case. They took DH to court and are now having his wages garnished at a rate of 15% of his pay. The judge told us that the hospital had every right to demand a payment of its choosing. Needless to say it's been reported to a credit agency. We had a rough time getting a home loan because of the garnishment.
I think it is terrible that we live in a country where some people have so much, yet millions go without adequate healthcare, and go into debt due to lack of insurance. Adding to the list of homelessness, poverty, programs that are losing funding... I realize that I am wasting my time complaining.. but it just breaks my heart that it is this way. There are so many countries all around the world that cannot help themselves.. and here we are, choosing, in many cases, not to help one another.
Maybe it's a PA thing. WE recently had a bill at the state hospital and they told me as long as we paid $5/mo they wouldn't report it, said it was the law. I know PA also has a law about if you have insurance, and you pay your copay, they have to accept whatever your insurance company pays and can't chase after you for the rest. Came in handy when my eldests birth and medical care after birth came to a whopping $23K. We paid our deductible, the ins co only paid like $12K...but we didn't have to pay another dime.
I know here in Ohio you can pretty much make the payments you can afford as long as they are consistent. Also, many many hospitals will work with you. I have friend whose dh was in the hospital and they had no insurance and a low income. Due to these two things his care was completely covered by the hospital. I hope things work out ok! Make sure you communicate with the hospital about the bill. Usually if you get them right away they will be more willing to help you out.
It's not broken, just bruised (contusion). She has to keep it wrapped for at least 5 days or until it stops hurting. But she was running a fever (???), so the doc said if that's not gone by Thurs, she needs to see a doc to see what's going on with that. Hopefully, it's just a bug. My kids really aren't sick much. We'll certainly try to work out someting with the bill when it arrives.
Oh good...I am so glad it is not broken...that right there saved you alot. I wonder what is going on with the fever? Hopefully that will just run it's course and you won't have to take her in to the doctor. I will say a prayer for her!
I am very glad to hear it's not broken! I hope that her fever goes away quickly, and that she is all better very soon.
