Medical Bills, Bills, & Bills....OH MY!

[Chana M]

This is actually a misconception that medical care for uninsured folks is not available in the US,  uninsured people can receive health care through their county or state either fully covered or at a great discount depending on their finances. True we  don't have national health insurance and I hope we never do,  here each state handles the health care individually, and it is similar to what you receive in socialized health care. Our county health care systems and the hospital are available to anyone at any time, and people come from all over for the special burn unit.
Missy

[/quote]

Hi Missy B

Now I'm totally confused.  If everyone can receive health care through their county or state then why do people have insurance?  

Do you mean that it is possible to get the same standard of health care, medication, tests, surgery etc whether you have insurance or not? That's not what people on this forum seem to say; they seem worried about the cost of meds, and Victoria is getting bills for her transplant evaluation.  Could she get her kidney transplant through her county health care system at no cost?

You say that you hope you never have national health insurance - do you mean you hope you never have a national system of socialised medical care which is free at point of delivery?  In the UK the NHS isn't perfect - as all UKers here on SjS World will tell you - but we all pay into it through our taxes and then when we need something we (generally!) get it.  Life with SjS is stressful enough but worrying about paying for meds, dealing with insurance companies, or even facing a kidney transplant while worrying about paying the medical bills just seems too much.  How could a socialised medical system be worse?!

You'll probably say I'm naive - and you'd be right because I'm one of those odd people who believes in sharing, caring and looking after other folks - but it seems to me that we should all help take care of people in need.  What could be kinder than to share our wealth through taxes, so that we can fund a medical system that gives people all the help they need regardless of their wealth, status, job or age.  Why would anybody refuse to do that?

And Epson - I'm sure you're delighted to be spending part of this weekend thinking about bills for the Cleveland Clinic.  Thinking of you today and hoping all goes well tomorrow.  Do let us know how you are.

Chana x

[eyeamdry]

A debate on "medical insurance/medical costs?comparison) always ends up with bad feelings on this board or any other.  It's like debating religion or politics (which insurance may be).  Lets just not light that fire.  There are many wide and valid opinions on this. 

Lucy

[Victoria05202000]

I apologize for this causing "bad" feelings.  That was not my intention. I was just venting and worrying over medical bills. If you are a working middle class individual....IT IS HARD to pay for crap extending beyond the normal maintenance of a certain disease.

Here is a link of how I feel. This fellow blogger nailed it on the head for me.  I am not saying it is the right way, but it sure looks good to me.

http://www.lupusandhumor.blogspot.com/2008/10/lupus-and-money.html

Take Care!
Vicky

[Scottietottie]

Hi Vicky 

No need to apologise for anything. If anyone was at fault - it's me because it was me who commented on our different systems. I wasn't actually advocating one over the other - just commenting they are different. So if anyone needs to apologise it's me.

I apprecuiate Lucy's post. She is so right. Let the sleeping dogs lie!!   

Take care - Scottie 

[paperdoll]

I just got SSI and Medi-Cal (California's Medicare right?) I am very embarrassed about it.  I've worked since I was 16.  I don't know the ins and outs of being on Gov assistance.  Also I don't know who to go and see!  There is an aption to get Bluecross, Kaiser or City Health Plan... which are managed care.  Staying Regular Medical means I can see who I want if I go managed care I have to stick with those networks.  But having an Primary Sjogren's (i hope that is true), on top of other Chronic Pain, I just wonder how I can manage the system and if I can find the correct coding... I'm assuming I'll need to be an advocate to get the correct care... just like anywhere else... will the gov take care of me properly?  Since Sjogren's is newly recognized?

[Victoria05202000]

Paperdoll,

Yes, you are going to have to advocate on your behalf.  I don't think the goverment is going to try and make things worse for you.  I know at the hospital I work at Medicare is just about approved at any medical office or service.  It seems to be a good thing.  I know the ones that have medicare and a supplemental insurance don't seem to have to worry about bills.  We write off the balance if one is left after both insurances have been used. When it is something that medicare doesn't pay for we get help from the community through different funds to help pay for the cost of a medical necessary item.

I don't know if I answered your questions....sorry!

Vicky

[Epson]

Half of all the bankruptcies in the U.S are due to medical costs and illness, sounds like a great system to me, not!  Fifty six percent of this group were college educated home owners and three quarters had insurance prior to their filling for bankruptcies. 

This subject should cause bad feelings, I know I feel bad that people have to go broke, because they got sick.

[irish]

seabreeze, I know those psych drugs and others also can really be spendy. I really think the drug companies are mopping the floor with us. I was wondering if you have ever used the lithium for the bipolar as it is so much cheaper.

Victoria, I know that you will probably have a much easier time getting onto medicare and enjoy the 3 years and then become uninsurable when you try to get back into the private health insurance. I think I would talk to all the people I could before your surgery to get this figured out. If you have Medicare it becomes your primary insurance and whatever isn't covered rolls over to your supplement. Like I said, we have had very good luck with out BCBS. I know that if we had some other supplement I would be in trouble with my IVIG as my supplement pays most of it. Medicare pays only about 20%---which is fine. My IVIG comes to about 70,000$ a year now so I can't complain at all cause I don't have to pay any of it.

Epson, Maybe it is about time to call and ask to speak to the head of the billing department. If you get any collection notices I would call again and tell them the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General are going to get a call. Good luck. Hope you are feeling good. Irish