Healthcare without insurance

[floridamom2]

Hi all!
I have a dear friend on this forum that is not seeing a doctor because she does not have insurance.  I was wondering if we all could share any important info that you may have that may help her get the care she so desperately needs.

I will start:  My experience when I needed treatment for alcoholism 18 years ago was I applied for an indigant care program at the local hospital and was accepted.  I did not have to pay for anything, I stayed for 28 days and have been sober ever since.  

Anyone else know of any programs that she can apply for?

Thanks so much friends - she needs our support and help and I really appreciate how great you all are!!!
Love and Hugs!
Kristin

[Fluffysmom]

Wow, everyone else pretty much said it all.

I will share my experience with my hospital's progam.  For my first trip to Mexico several years ago, I decided that I should get Hepatitis A and B vaccinations.  My insurance didn't pay much, and I was shocked by the bill.

I called billing; they asked about my income, sent me a form, and told me they could forgive the debt.

I got a letter in the mail stating that I was eligible to have ALL my debts incured in their health system forgiven for a full year!  

My sister gets all her care free at our big teaching hospital, as she is uninsured and unable to work.

I'm very glad that your friend will be able to get the care she needs.

Hugs,

Kathy

[floridamom2]

You guys Rock!!!!!  Thank you all soooooo much for helping me to show this friend what she can do.  I am really worried about her and want her to get the help she deserves!!

Love and Hugs to all!
Kristin

[spastic]

These are all wonderful suggestions, I lost my insurance a few weeks ago and I applied for the Hospital program and the Physician program where I go and I was accepted into both!!!  This was wonderful news to me especially after I found out my recent hospital stay was not going to be covered by my prior insurance.  I was accepted at 100%, so the only thing I need to come up with is medication and there are programs that can help you with that, one is called PPA, Partnership for Prescription Assistance.  They go by your income and what meds you take and once you are accepted, they send the medication to your Dr and you go and pick it up.  While it can be inconvienent, some of our medications are in the hundreds and thousands every month so it is so worth the trip!!!

Many Hugs,

Ada

[slightlybroken]

If you can't get medicaid..most US hospitals offer a program called HCAP. It's for people who either don't have insurance and their income is too much for medicaid and for people who do have insurance and they have a lower income.

What they do is when you have any service done at a hospital you can apply for HCAP. Usually the application is on the back of the bill. They will compare your income to the poverty standards of that state. They go by family size and income.

If you are at the poverty levels, the service will be free. If you are not at the 100% poverty level..they will still reduce you bill by what your income is so your only paying a reduced bill. It pays for the hospital portion of the bill. Sometimes when you are able to get HCAP, the doctors portion of the bill will be reduced as well, but that is only sometimes.

I have applied for this program several times. We have insurance through his job but as everybody know sometimes insurance doesn't cover the whole bill. I will apply for HCAP and my bill will be reduced. I usually only have to pay 10% of the bill which is a big difference.

[magoo58]

I second everything monotreme said.  Each state offers a Medicaid program and each state has its own rules to qualify, be it income, assets or both.  Some states offer other low cost programs that have certain qualifing criteria to either adults or children.

Each county has a public welfare office that should provide information on these programs.  Also, some county's offer there own programs for people in need of assistance.

It takes some leg work sometimes, but help is out there....you just have to find it.

I do have some experience in dealing with these people/offices, and if I could get atleast a state of residence I could take a stab at seeing what is avaibable there.

[monotreme]

Hi Kristin,
   I don't know what state the forum member lives in, but every state has Medicaid.  You need to meet the income requirememts but if you do, all health care is free.  Each state has their own Medicaid qualifying rules.

   Also, some states like Pennsylvania, offer insurance to all children at free or low cost, and have similar programs for adults.

   The member needs to call the state senator and ask what health insurance programs are available that are state sponsored.

  Elaine

[wingnut19]

Hi Kristin!

As you know, I live in Canada and healthcare here is free.....

I had to respond to your sobriety and how very wonderful that is!!  Congrats, my friend!!

I'm sure others will have plenty of great ideas for your friend......


Love and HUGS!
Tammy