Free ER Care?

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Thought I would relay what happened while I worked triage this week-end. Had a 30yo male come in for "toothache", as I am triaging I usually tell people what to expect...labs, xrays or whatever. I am telling this guy he will be able to go to fast track and he would probably be given scripts for pain and an antibiotic but that he will also need to follow up with a dentist to actually solve the problem. He tells me he can't afford a dentist they are too expensive, and I tell him the nurse that DC's him can give him some names of area dental clinics that will work with his financial situation. I stress to him that he will not be rid of his bad teeth unless he sees a dentist. I also tell him it will be cheaper in the long run than paying for continued ER visits as we don't fix teeth. His whole demeanor changes and he says... "What do you mean ER bill?" I explain that ER's do charge for any care and that the hospital also works with people with financial concerns. He stand up and informs me "This is a community hospital!" and I confirm that it is but being a community hospital does not mean free and again that the hospital will work with him on his billing. He goes into a tirade about how rich the US is and it is rediculous that he would get a bill at a "community hospital" and he ripped off his hospital band and LWOT'd.

Anyway just thought I would share, it is amazing to me that so many really think they are owed free care.

Toq

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

This doesn't surprise me at all. Had a young girl come in last week who wanted a pregnancy test. The doctor told her to leave and stop and pick one up at walmart on the way home. She said "but I don't want to pay for one".

Also so many of our patients ask for a "dinner tray" the minute they hit the bed. A couple of days ago a mom brought in her 11 year old son supposedly for vomiting and the minute we had him undressed and in bed she asked for a dinner for him saying he hadn't eaten all day.

It never ends

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Specializes in ER.

well looking at the bigger picture it doesnt occur to anyone to have to pay for the library, fire and police protection or roads. i think the smaller assumptions our patients can make with us and the attitudes they bring into the er drive us crazy for good reason. at the end of the day we are still left with the fact that the "free" market can not solve the health care problem of the us. so it rolls onto our shoulders.

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Specializes in ER then CVICU now.
Also so many of our patients ask for a "dinner tray" the minute they hit the bed. A couple of days ago a mom brought in her 11 year old son supposedly for vomiting and the minute we had him undressed and in bed she asked for a dinner for him saying he hadn't eaten all day.

It never ends

I know it! I don't get the whole food thing. As soon as these patients get to the treatment area it's "nurse, I haven't eaten in 3 days." I'm thinking so? That's my problem how? Are you here for the food or the actual abdominal pain that you are complaining about? It's very irritating. Many times these patients have iphones, blackberrys and the latest fad!

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This doesn't surprise me at all. Had a young girl come in last week who wanted a pregnancy test. The doctor told her to leave and stop and pick one up at walmart on the way home. She said "but I don't want to pay for one".

Also so many of our patients ask for a "dinner tray" the minute they hit the bed. A couple of days ago a mom brought in her 11 year old son supposedly for vomiting and the minute we had him undressed and in bed she asked for a dinner for him saying he hadn't eaten all day.

It never ends

She and her son may really have been hungry. I wouldn't judge without knowing.......At the very least make a referral to social services for assistance

Public Health (at least in MN) will provide free pregnancy tests....

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.
She and her son may really have been hungry. I wouldn't judge without knowing.......At the very least make a referral to social services for assistance

If he's in for vomiting, he doesn't need to eat, and she doesn't need to eat in front of him.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Unfortunately I hear this way too often to be the least bit surprised.

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Specializes in ITU/Emergency.

Try working in the Uk where healthcare really is 'free' and then get used to hearing patients demands followed by them saying 'I pay your wages'. I would hear that on a daily basis in the ED. A-holes.

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Thanks toquay, this is an eye opener. Clients do this a lot in Africa and I attributed it to poverty. Now I understand that clients are the

same world over.:barf01:

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Try working in the Uk where healthcare really is 'free' and then get used to hearing patients demands followed by them saying 'I pay your wages'. I would hear that on a daily basis in the ED. A-holes.

Not quiet free although generally free on delivery.

My usual reply is "I also pay my wage and it doesn't get any better" Now waiting for taxman to decide I am self employed and have to pay my own sick benefits :)

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Specializes in acute, med/surg/ER/geri/CPR instructor.

OK IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO GO TO THE DOCTOR OR PAY FOR EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS THAT IS ONE THING. BUT TO ABUSE THE EMERGENCY ROOM B/C YOU CAN IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. IT REALLY BOTHERS ME WHEN I SEE OLDER PPL. WHO COULD REALLY USE HELP WITH THEIR BILL WORRYING ABOUT HOW THEY ARE GOING TO PAY FOR IT. OR HOW THEY ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THE MEDICATION. MEDICAID NEEDS TO KEEP A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PPL CARRYING THEIR CARD. HOW MANY :nono: 20-SOMETHING YEAR OLDS WE GET IN THE ER WITH NO MEDICAL HISTORY AND NO JOB BUT PRESENT A MEDICAID CARD. I WOULD LOVE TO SIT HOME AND DO NOTHING AND GET SOMETHING IN RETURN BUT MY PARENTS RAISED ME A LITTLE DIFFERENT. WE SHOULD REPORT FRAUD AND MAYBE OUR ELDERLY OR TRUELY POOR COULD RECEIVE ALL THE BENEFITS NEEDED AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY. :nono:

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.

In my experience, first as an ER registrar and now as an ER LPN:

Back pain = drug seeking

Tooth ache = drug seeking

I realize not all back pain (which I have) and toothache (which I have due to a crappy bridge) are fake. But a lot is. Lots of psych hx there, too. Hard to be sympathetic when you sciatica is acting up due to lifting 400lb pts and you teeth hurt b/c something is stuck under you bridgework. I just pop advil and deal.

I worked in charity care for a long time. I used to get so mad when I had to give CC to pts who were illegal, users or plain stupid. I made sure my seniors got their CC, though. I felt that if you worked all your life and have no secondary ins and get a couple of thousand bucks too much for medicaid, you deserved help. And these folks had to really swallow their pride to ask for help.

As far as paying my wages, no they don't. The Medicare, Medicaid, the State and the Insurance companies pay my wages, pathetic as they are. I know, I saw it all in charity care.

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