how does a homeless person with hip pain get a second opinion

[vdawson]

i was to the homeless health care clinic on tuesday 12/29/09 and was told the mri showed arthritis. yet when they did the x ray i was told that i had dead bone at my hip. i was told that i could not get a second opinion unless i wish to pay for it. i do not have money and i can not get tncare or social security and i can not work. please help.

[vdawson]

thank you. you can write me at ***@****. valerie

[geminigirl1963]

Was the clinic you went to through the local Health Department?  If not, try contacting your local health department and see about getting an appointment with them.  Quite often their services are either "ability to pay" based or totally free.

Also please contact your local Social Services Department.  They can help you apply for state medical assistance which may cover any doctor appointments and/or medications and/or testing.  

These options/suggestions are your quickest ways to find some help.  If you are no longer able to work, the social services department should also be able to help you apply for Social Security Disability (or you can go onto their website and apply online or in person at the local office).  This is not a quick fix, though, as it takes quite a long process for the disability to be approved (quite often it's not even approved with the first application).  If you do apply for the disability and get denied, do not give up - there are several no out of pocket up-front expense legal avenues that you could get to help you.  with these services, there is no out of pocket up-front costs - if and when you are approved for the disability, they will deduct their fees from your first payment from Social Security.

I wish you the best of luck.  If I can be of any further help, please let me know.

[vdawson]

if you read homeless with hip pain you would see that i did an mri and x ray. the clinic says i have arthritis. i need a second opinion and have no money to get it. please help or contact any friends or doctors you know in the U.S.A. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

I would suggest till then to avoid weight bearing on that leg and also to take intermittent pain killers. Apply ice packs to decrease inflammation and follow up for the Govt. procedure or apply for insurance as you would need MRI for a proper diagnosis and if required surgery.

Take care!

[vdawson]

thank you

[geminigirl1963]

I'm sorry you are having problems.  I would suggest you contact the Social Services Department in the county/state where you are staying -- or the local Health Department.  Quite often they can offer free health care.  The Social Services Department can also assist you with applying for any other benefits you may be eligible for, including applying for Social Security Disability if you are no longer able to work.  I do warn you, however, that the process for applying for and being approved for disability is a very LONG and quite often frustrating, process.

Best of luck!