The high price of being sick in the United States

by liaoyu03 » Sun Sep 09, 2007 03:44 am

I have no health insurance. So like yesterday when i finally went to the doctor after waiting for a week and a half hoping it would go away, I paid the price. The free clinics couldn't get me in till the end of august. Yes I am sure my kidneys would have waited till then. I tried the medical school They wanted $150 up front. So, I finally went to the emergency room. I got seen and all. But I know the bill will be outrageous. A bill I cant afford. I had borrowed $20 dollars from my son Mikey. Thinking that would cover my prescription. BOY was I wrong. It rang up at $56. I almost cried. I said" I cant afford that much. Well I was at Walgreen's and the lady behind the counter. Took my prescription over to the computer and like magic the price went down to $15. I guess they have a discount card they don't tell you about. So, I got my medicine and away i went. Moral of the story. Don't get sick and if you do make sure you find out if they have a discount of some sort. Have you ever encountered anything like that?

Total Comments: 8

Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 04:54 pm Post Subject:

Not to where they gave me a discount, no,without insurance-yes.

As I stated in another of your posts- we were out of health insurance for over 3 years, and it was tough. I went without alot of meds because they said we made too much money to get help- if that's so, I told them, why can't I fill my meds!!

I called the makers of the drugs, or you can get on their websites, they offer meds either at no cost or very little cost.

I don't know what state you are in, but many states have programs for the uninsured, you may want to check into that.

Good Luck..Karen :D

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 06:10 am Post Subject: State options for the uninsured

True..these discounts are often applicable to the uninsured who don't have any insurance package to rely under such circumstances. But yes as Karen has rightly mentioned many states do have some programs for the uninsured. So, in case your state has such options for you, what you need to do is just to explore these options to find out the best suited way for you out there. In case you see that the benefits offered by your state don't suit or meet your needs, then you ought to look out for those options for sure! Regards, Fatman

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 06:23 am Post Subject: how they deal with such scenarios !

Hi!
I feel these huge bills are mostly scams to draw money from the insurance companies...but as soon as they come across cases wherein they find they are dealing with a person who is uninsured then they are bound to take up the case on humanitarian grounds!
Then only you might come across such discounts arising out of oblivion!
scorpionzeroduckling

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 08:50 am Post Subject:

I cant understand why the home of the free doesnt have a national health service similar to our one.
I thought your country was the world leader in fields like this.
Get sick here,you can call a doctor out at no cost.
Sign the back of a form and get medicine for free to,no one ever checks the back of the form.
Immigrants here just love our health service.Its great,come and live here snow,me and wolfie would keep you well advised.

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 04:17 pm Post Subject:

Really DDH? And where pray tell do you reside?

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 01:53 am Post Subject:

Guys we all know that without health insurance in this country you are half-dead. The prices of medications is beyound ridiculous. I personally use an antibiotic that is manifactured by Pfizer. Cost in USA with a health insurance discount: $150. Cost without insurance: $340. The same antibiotic in Bulgaria: $4. I brought 10 of them last sumer, when I went on vacation. Thats a whole year of supply for $40. Not $1500.

I am not even talking how much it costs to be in a emergency room. Its free in most of the European countries and in Canada as well. Hell, its free even in Columbia!

Have you seen the movies Sicko btw?

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 03:51 am Post Subject: I am uninsured

Help... I have heart problems, no medial insurance. My chest pain is getting worse, my leg gets numb and I recently noticed at night the side of my face and head gets numb too. I want to ask what to do, but im guessing many would just tell me to go die.

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 07:31 am Post Subject:

No . . . go to the Emergency Room. You sound like you are experiencing a heart attack, and possibly a stroke. Whether you have medical insurance or not, they have to examine you (courtesy of EMTALA 1996). You will be allowed to pay the debt over time if you make an agreement with the physicians, surgeons, and hospital.

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