I'm curious.

tlv204 · September 2009

DH dislocated his knee a few years ago, and apparently the insurance he had at the time didn't cover ambulance rides. It was at the student rec center, and when it happened someone immediately called 911, meaning an ambulance came, and he just rode in it because he didn't really know what else to do. He didn't really need an ambulance but it happened anyway. Anyway, just the ride was $4500. Luckily his parents could afford it. My mom (uninsured) went to the hospital a few years ago without insurance because she thought she was having a heart attack. It ended up being an ulcer. I don't know exactly how much it was, but I know she's still in debt because of it. I know it was more than $7000.

mandapanda78 · September 2009

My copay w/insurance is $35 a visit. Without it's about $225 depending on what they do (labwork and stuff)

punkyb2b · September 2009

lpstl- I know you werent saying that. Just another perspective.

MsGamblingGirl · September 2009

I couldn't handle the wait times to see specialists or the lack of experts in various fields in canada. I've had so many friends move there and have to come back here because there was no pediactric neurosurgeon in the entire province, or they were asked to wait 2 months to schedule cancer radiation (which could begin here immediately!). A family friend of mine died while waiting for cancer treatment in Canada. The cost issues can be worked out - it's the wait issues that really concern me about Canada.

ggmae · September 2009

My copay is $30 at doctors' offices and I have a $1,500 deductible for things like the ER and other hospital visits. My insurance usually covers 75-85% of my bill - I got a cleaning and x-rays at the dentist and it cost me $120 out of pocket.

vicmo5 · September 2009

I only pay about $100 for insurance right now (+ I pay copays) but I work in a small office and my boss has lung cancer so I'm getting on H's insurance asap because it's going to skyrocket.

SwedishChick2011 · September 2009

When I was in high school, my dad had a massive heart attack and died almost instantly on the floor of his bathroom. My mom, not knowing what else to do, called 911. I'm sorry about your dad. That's really sad.

shannonalise · September 2009

Aw.. thanks cocoreo. That was back in 2000. I miss him every day, but it's much easier than it was then!

Thanks so much for your thoughts though.

punkyb2b · September 2009

Oh the stories I can tell. -a patient dying of a brain tumor. His mom worked 2 jobs, both gave her a leave to be with her dying son. Her savings was wiped out by the costs of not working but still having bills. Hospital "special funding" paid one month of expenses. really not much help. Other pt i know (not a cancer patient) was "visiting america" and walked into the ER with Crohns. Know what funding there was for them? hospital paid for an apartment, food stipend, and ALL his medical care. Ridiculous. I'm in the health care is a human right boat but it honestly so many cases pisss me off.

lpstl · September 2009

Well shiit, I don't know, maybe St. Paul drs just suck it? I'm kind of floored they won't see a self pay patient, out of about 5000 physicians who use our software, every last one has a self pay fee schedule.

punkyb2b · September 2009

sorry, obviously this topic is one im passionate about. also sooo heartbreaking about your dad,im sorry that happened.

shanwalk2 · September 2009

I am irresponsible and don't have insurance. And I have the swine flu.I actually am on the waiting list to be "approved" for health care so hopefully DH and I will be accepted within the next month. Anyway, to go to the dr. and be tested for the flu, and the labs sent out, returned, and for tamiflu I was terrified at what the price would have been.DH is unemployed and I cannot spend that kind of money unless I was desperate.I went to a minute clinic at a local CVS. It cost me $60 for my appt, and $10 for a cough medicine. She said they wouldn't perscribe tamiflu anyway... so I ended up paying about $70. It would have probably been 3x that at a "real" drs office. Not having insurance sucks. It makes me a nervous wreck - and we don't go seek medical help unless its totally necessary.

ricksang · September 2009

"visiting america" and walked into the ER with Crohns. Know what funding there was for them? hospital paid for an apartment, food stipend, and ALL his medical care. Ridiculous. Wow, fukced up.

shannonalise · September 2009

Punky, sorry I am confused - you're saying an american hospital paid for someone's apartment?

SarahSmile23 · September 2009

Plenty of people make more than $10K a year, don't have company sponsored health insurance, and have a hard time finding an extra $100. Yeah. But if those people are paying for a wedding, cable tv, an iphone, etc, you are no longer looking at people who cannot afford the extra $100. You are looking at irresponsible priorities.

ricksang · September 2009

Drs in my area will see self-pay. Only vets require full payment at the time of service.

shannonalise · September 2009

Punky, thank you.

You're very sweet.

punkyb2b · September 2009

shannon-yes. lots of hospitals have housing for families that have chronically ill children. think about places like St. Judes where the families come from all over and need a place to stay. Hospitals will rent out (or own) apartments to serve these families.

shannonalise · September 2009

When FI got tasered...they ripped them out right there.Holy buullshiit!

J&K10910 · September 2009

When FI got tasered (dont' ask)Sorry, but I don't think you're allowed to say something like "When FI got tasered..." and then not explain. Spill it!

ggmae · September 2009

I just watched a special on TLC recently where a woman had sextuplets who needed to stay in the NICU for 3+ months. After everything was said and done, they had over $1 million in hospital bills. I can't even imagine!

ricksang · September 2009

I am surprised this has not turned into a HC debate.

ggmae · September 2009

yes. lots of hospitals have housing for families that have chronically ill children. think about places like St. Judes where the families come from all over and need a place to stay. Hospitals will rent out (or own) apartments to serve these families.They have this at most Veteran's hospitals as well so that families can stay with their injured or very sick soldier. One of DH's friends suffered a TBI in Iraq and his mom has a place at a VA Hospital.

[Deleted User] · September 2009

Haha! Well, without going into too much detail, he was intoxicated and talking back to the police. He was young, it was stupid. While I won't deny he was to blame for it, the police where he lived were so corrupt. Seriously, I would be with him (years later) and we'd walk out of a bar and they would taunt him and others to do something stupid so they could make an arrest. Sad thing is, these policemen were guys from highschool so grudges were held, etc.

shanwalk2 · September 2009

I make far too much for medicade.However, just NOW because of a raise do we have the extra income to cover the $200/month for insurance costs. And we still have to wait a month to be approved.

tlv204 · September 2009

I actually got into an argument today at lunch about nationalized health care. At least for me and this other woman, it just came down to a fundamental difference of beliefs. I believe in most ways the government should take care of its citizens and am willing to pay taxes to make that happen, and also would rather everyone have mediocre health care than only lucky people have good health care, and she believed the government should stay out of her health care and didn't think it would be fair that she would have to pay twice (taxes and premiums) if she wanted to get private insurance if we had nationalized health care. Neither one is right or wrong, it's just a difference of beliefs about how government should work. That's why there are two dominant parties (although there should be more IMO).

AlexiaANDRobert · September 2009

Plenty of people make more than $10K a year, don't have company sponsored health insurance, and have a hard time finding an extra $100. Yeah. But if those people are paying for a wedding, cable tv, an iphone, etc, you are no longer looking at people who cannot afford the extra $100. You are looking at irresponsible priorities. This. Times a billion.

cdeshane · September 2009

I pay $10. I have an HMO, if you have a PPO normally you pay a deductible and then coinsurance (percentage, normally 10-20%) some services have a flat copay, like office visits, or emergency room visits. ER can normally go both ways. I work For Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. It depends on the employer, contract, and doctor. You will pay more if the provider does not participate.

SarahSmile23 · September 2009

Neither one is rig ht or wrong, it's just a difference of beliefs about how government should work. That's why there are two dominant parties (although there should be more IMO). Very, very true. There should be more major parties. I don't really identify completely with either of the major parties. It's also true that we all have the same goals but have different ideas of how to get there. I'm one who believes health insurance will run better in this country if it is reformed without a public option, but I definitely think major changes need to be made. There are many bills out there for reform options without the public option. We'll see what happens.

babbles270 · September 2009

Someone the other day on here posted in an insurance thread that they couldn't afford to have insurance. And then in a couple threads later they said they were considering going to Europe. I judged.

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