MedHelp Please

[PleaseHelp22yrs_old]

I moved out of my parents home in 2003 because they were incapable of taking proper care of me. I from there was fortunate enough to stay with a family member while I put myself through college on my own spending every dime I could earn. I have not had health insurance since about 2002 my sophomore year in high school. Always I have been the girl who had to scrounge up 100$ to pay a walk in clinic when I got a simple flu or cold. I am a recent graduate BS and looking for a job. I broke my ankle last week and am now facing a medical bill of around $25,000. I never saw this coming and never knew that they could charge so much money to someone who has nothing. Any suggestions on how I can find help here? I am completely alone on paying this and it will take years for me to come up with this money.

[teko]

Go to a county run ER. They get government help to help those who are uninsured. Also tell them you have no way to pay and lots of times they will write it off and release yu from the debt, especially since you are a college student with no permnant address. This is one of many scenarios playing out around the country. You are not alone! Because of your full student status, you should be elligable for some kind of help, I would think. For someone your age, not married and a student, you should be able to afford affordable plans. The older you get, the price only goes up! Did you know that once you hit 70 years old, insurance companies will not give you coverage? lol  I truly did not know that, except medicare that is and that is only if you paid into it.

[margypops]

With a broken ankle you can walk into any ER and they have to treat you, that is the first thing to do now get that ankle fixed, I do know that many areas through out the US have low cost and sometimes Free clinics, most of the folks that come in from Mexico go to them with their children , and the uninsured, they may charge you a small, fee, I have a Doctor friend who gives her spare time to work in these clinics....google and you should find out where in the area you live ,.Good Luck    

[heatherlynn22]

look into your states medicaid/medicare programs. it's a state run medical assistant program. you would be able to get full medical coverage and not have to worry about bills (and i do believe the cover you for a few months prior as well if you have any medical bills.) they'll ask for a few pieces of information....proof of residence, id, ss card, pay stubs (if you have them) and other things like that. you'll be able to have dental, vision and general as well as paying for the hospital bills. and if you make below a certain amount (i think it varies from state to state) you won't have to pay co-pay and all prescriptions are covered.