Please Read (knee surgery)

Specialties Emergency

Published

Quick background:

My husband (the self-employed cable installer) injured his knee. I took him to the ER, received xray (no broken bones), discharged & referred to orthopedist. We don't have insurance & he had to pay out of pocket for 2 doctor's visits and an MRI. We are out of money w/ no income (I'm a nrsing student). Results show he has torn cartilage and needs surgery. We have no way to pay for it. We've applied for medicaid but that takes up to 45 days to process. The doctor will do a payment plan but wants $5000 up front (which we can't even afford groceries). My husband can't even walk. He's on crutches. Can't work and can't help around the house.

My question:

If we take him to the bigger and better hospital (Tampa General) and he tells them what's going on and that he's having persistant pain, cannot walk, swelling, etc. , do you think they'd go ahead and do the arthroscopic surgery on an ER admit w/o insurance?

If not, how do you suggest we go about resolving this? We have 2 kids, I'm a fulltime student, he was our only source of income, and we have no insurance. We need serious help!!!

- Rachel

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Hi, my name is Lauren, too, by the way, and I live in Dunedin! how funny is that?

first off, your husband is a self employed cable installer? we have those over on this side of the bridge too, but does that mean he has no workmans comp coverage????

my girlfriend needs her gallbladder out and has no medical insurance either, so she went to a public hospital, like Tampa general or bayfront (although she lives in Oklahoma) and denied knowing what was wrong with her and they did emergency surgery on her and she just hasn't paid the bill yet.

what if your hubby did something like that? like you said, take him to TGH and just say he did it a while ago or whatever and see if they'll do it.

a lot of hospitals have donations or community care funding to help with people who don't have insurance. my daughter was hospitalized this year at mease countryside and we didn't have one bill to pay. does he have a primary doc? see if that doc will admit him and then talk to financial services.

will the surgeon let him make payments on the 5,000? i can tell you a lot of places that will assist you with your bills, and give you food, etc if you can take some money and pay it to the surgeon...

Please PM me if you would like to chat. i'd like to know more about you, seems like we may have a lot in common.

talk to you soon,

Lauren

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Specializes in Emergency.

Reading this really makes me feel horrible about our society. Situations like this just should not be. I have no answers for you, just that I am sorry and I hope everything works out.

Can a hospital refuse to do the surgery without a down payment? I thought there were laws about that kind of crap.

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Specializes in ED-CEN/PACU/Flight.

I feel bad for your situation - it's truly difficult. However, I would not recommend that you go to another hospital and lie about circumstances.

The only way "emergency surgery" would be done is if there was an immediate threat to life, limb, or vision, and there doesn't appear to be any from what you've described.

It sounds like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. I would definitely call the hospital's financial office and ask what assistance they can offer with settling your bill.

Best of luck.

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Some hospitals have private charity funds. After my third child...I found out I was under insured. Yes we have insurance, pay all of our other bills on time, but my insurance co dropped the hosopital from its plan, so it would have be out of network coverage. The billing dept told me to fill out a few forms...turns out I qualified for a charity program....they paid the bill. Ask....they might have something like this.

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I would contact the medicaid office and see if they have an emergency fund. I didn't have insurance right after we got married (I was still in the 90 day waiting period) and I wound up in the ER for kidney stones. I went to the medicaid office to see if they could help with the bill. They said that there is a program in our state that will help w/ medical bills prior to you having medical coverage (private or state funded). There was a share of cost that was figured off of your income. Our share of cost was more than the bill because we were both working and making o.k. money. But if your state has this program I would think that your share of cost would be a lot lower because your aren't working and he can't work until his knee gets better.

I would call the office and find out. Sometimes you have to ask if they have special programs to find out if they have them or not.

I hope he feels better soon.

Erin

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

You might also qualify for Social Security disability--wouldn't hurt to ask.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Another option- did he get hurt on the job at someones home. For example did he step in a hole and twist his knee. You might then be able to file a claim against that homeowners insurance. If it was at an apartment complex you might have the same option except it would be against their comercial property insurance. You would have to speak with a lawyer.

Rj

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Specializes in a&e.

Hi, I am an english er nurse hoping to come and work in the us next year. the insurance thing is real wierd to me! It would you be cheaper for you to fly over to the UK and get it done for free on the good old national Health Service! Hope everything works out for you. X:nurse:

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Specializes in ER (My favorite), NICU, Hospice.
Hi, I am an english er nurse hoping to come and work in the us next year. the insurance thing is real wierd to me! It would you be cheaper for you to fly over to the UK and get it done for free on the good old national Health Service! Hope everything works out for you. X:nurse:

I am sorry about the OP's husband. Maybe you can talk to another surgeon or like others have suggested and another hospital. Try every option. I wish you guys luck.

I don't mean to turn this into a different topic but what do you mean National Health Service. Can anyone come to you country and get free medical care? If so, I foresee that coming to a stop when the money is overdrawn.

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I would start calling different orthopedic surgeons and telling them your situation. Also contact medicare/medicaid and see if they have any advice. I'm so sorry you're going through this.

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There may be a program--we have one in Wisconsin called GAMP--which is something he may be able to get on while he is waiting for Medicaid to come through.

You also might want to contact a social worker through the hospital that you were in or will go to. They may be able to steer you into the proper channels. I would keep checking and making phone calls, something may come your way or someone on the other end may be able to help.

Are you in clinicals? If so, is there a social worker on the floor on which you are a student? They may be more versed in the laws and programs of your state.

There also may be funds available for cases such as yours that are privately funded. Check your internet for any of these programs.

Next, is it possible to take out more student loans? This is an emergency and you can pay the loans back at a future date (once you are working). Your parents may even be able to take out a PLUS loan since you are a student, although I am not sure since you are married.

Do you have a credit union through your school or work? They may be able to get you a loan (th 5,000 you need). Is there insurance through your school?

Finally, emergencies like this may warrant applying for a credit card at the lowest interest possible. Good luck with everything and keep searching until you find your solution(s).

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