Question about no insurance/free care

[NeoPediRN]

I'm between nursing positions right now and I won't have health insurance until June. I've had what I'm guessing is a pleuritic type of chest pain for three days (sharp pain left lung base worse on inspiration and leaning forward lowers it to a duller type of pain instead of stabbing), but it's getting worse and 800mg of ibuprofen hasn't touched it. Harder to breathe, chest heaviness, I feel like I'm drowning when I lay down, and occasional palpitations (which is probably just my anxiety over feeling like I can't breathe). Physical activity is also exacerbating the pain/feeling like I can't breathe feeling, and I'm starting to get a low grade temp. I can't afford medical care at this point and I was wondering what happens when people come in with no insurance? I would never go to the ER unless I absolutely had to and if anything I'd try to wait to go to my doctor, but I have absolutely zero money. Does anyone know how assistance works or if they reduce the amount if you're self pay? Are they good with payment plans? I can really only offer about $20/month. Is it almost impossible to get some type of free care? Thanks so much in advance.

[whipping girl in 07, RN]

From my experience, the ER will treat you whether or not you have insurance. You can set up a payment plan and as long as you are paying, even if it's only a little, they will not turn you over to collections. Sometimes you can get a doctor to reduce the fee if you're self pay, especially if you're established with him/her and you ask in advance. Most larger areas have some free or reduced fee clinics. The area I live in has one. Check the phone book or online. Sometimes if you call an ER and ask they will tell you about a free clinic if they know of one.

I hope you get better. Take care of yourself.

[Simba&NalasMom, LPN]

You can also try googling urgent care clinics in your area; there are some that are willing to bill you and set up a payment plan and they are much less expensive than going to the ER.

[blt3535]

Hi! This is actually what I do for my job. I screen uninsured patients at a local hospital. We screen for medicaid, disability and charity through the hospital. If you do not qualify for mcaid or disability (single parent with minors or are disabled) then the hospitals USUALLY have some kind of charity/dsh program for self pay patients. But you do have to be under certain income guidelines for this, but they are fairly high depending on the number in your hh. If you do exceed the limit, most of the time, they give a pretty high percentage off (we do 50, others do 80) then put you on a payment plan.

Its ok, dont freak out, most doctors are pretty willing to help you out as well, as the charity programs only cover hospital bills.

Don't wait for care just because you don't have insurance, they legally can not turn you away; don't let it get worse!!

Feel Better!