Health Care benefits.....and frustration

ksrose1 · May 13, 2009

Update.......I still haven't gotten my test done and was recently told that as of 1 July our hospital will no longer pay for our health insurance........I am now electing not to have the tests done. I am going to pay the bills that I now owe for the tests already done and cut my losses. I was told that we can't cancel our insurance unless we show proof of another insurance, but that is just a rumor. And the present economy keeps taking it's toll.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · May 13, 2009

I think it's a disgrace that you can't get the preventative care you need. Of course, should you develop cancer and go on Medicaid and diability we'lll pay. Through the nose. But not for a simple disagnostic procedure. But let Great-Granma fall and we'll MRI her entire body.

ksrose1 · May 13, 2009

Yes, I think so too. I have cared for at least four patients that were illeagals and there is one on our floor that has been there for almost a month getting daily dialysis. So I guess what I will do is what most of the people do in the hospital I work at. I will just wait until I get so sick I have no choice but to go to the E.R.

Bettie P · May 13, 2009

... So I guess what I will do is what most of the people do in the hospital I work at. I will just wait until I get so sick I have no choice but to go to the E.R.

Wait...you have your insurance until July 1st, right? And the hospital wants you to pay half of your copay of $540, which would be $270, before your test, right? So, if you could make this $270 payment you could get the test and work out payments for the rest. Can't you work an extra shift or two to help cover it? Have a yard sale? Pawn a few items? You would seriously throw in the towel over trying to scrounge up a $270 payment before your insurance terminates and just sit arould and wait for the need for an even more expensive ER visit? Sorry, but I am failing to understand the reasoning here.

ksrose1 · May 13, 2009

That is just the hospital part. I did pay the doctor for the test which was $179. But is I pay the $270 and make payments for the rest.... I will have no insurance to return to the doctor for the follow up. And if God forbid I need more tests.....I won't be able to get them done. I am losing weight, exercising every day (I walk two miles), eating better (lots better, which has helped the loose stools, now only have them about five times a week) and I have lost six more pounds. I am taking better care of myself so that hopefully I don't end up in the ER. I am in college so I am in classes Monday thru Thursday, so I can't work an extra shift. And to make matters worse my husband's job cut back his hours from 40 to fifteen a week because of the economy.

ksrose1 · May 13, 2009

So the long and short of it is that I am taking better care of my body and will hope that I don't end up in the ER. I am stoping the bills before they get higher. My primary care doctor is the one that refered me to the GI doctor and I can not return to her until after the 1st of July because of classes. Our insurance is in it's open enrollment right now and I cancelled mine so it would not do an automatic renewal. If you do nothing it continues as it is was the previous year, so I called last week and said stop my insurance. I will be one of the many Americans without insurance.

It'sMe, RN, BBA, MBA · May 14, 2009

wow, I got a realty check recently. my wife decided to have chest pain (I worked ccu for 15 years, I told her it was not her heart but she didnt listen to me) and in the hospital she went. For a 23 hr stay. and then an outpatient stress test! She has premium health insurance. And her portion of the stress test is $586 dollars! I already paid $150 in the ER for a copay and now a hospital bill is on theway. I am going to be out of pocket $2000 just to find out she can't eat jalepenaos! our system is broken. private insurance is a joke. I am an extreme right wing conservative and I just became in support of universal care. the current system is beyond repair

regularRN · May 14, 2009

OP, how about you show up at ER anyway? It seems like lots of the pt.s I care for present in ER with an exacerbation of a chronic condition...

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · May 14, 2009

wow, I got a realty check recently. my wife decided to have chest pain (I worked ccu for 15 years, I told her it was not her heart but she didnt listen to me) and in the hospital she went. For a 23 hr stay. and then an outpatient stress test! She has premium health insurance. And her portion of the stress test is $586 dollars! I already paid $150 in the ER for a copay and now a hospital bill is on theway. I am going to be out of pocket $2000 just to find out she can't eat jalepenaos! our system is broken. private insurance is a joke. I am an extreme right wing conservative and I just became in support of universal care. the current system is beyond repair

Most people feel badly (in a vague way) for the uninsured or those in health insurance dilemmas, but don't really 'get it' until it hits them personally.

ksrose1 · May 14, 2009

I agree totally with "It's me" our system is broken.....but I don't really feel that government based system is the way to go either....look at the country right now. What is the answer? How do we fix this? Did anyone on the campaign trail have any answers?

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · May 14, 2009

I am actually trying to get a job at a bigger hospital system right now,, because they have much better insurance and benefits. At the same time, I will probably be taking a lower pay..

SO, it kinda sucks, but I feel like I need to do it for several reasons.

ksrose1 · May 14, 2009

The one I work for is not the largest but it is kinda big and I have crappy insurance to begin with and they are claim that the economy is making them do all of the cuts backs......