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Ovarian Mass...No Insurance.
I am 27 years old.During my last period, I experienced a lot of pain in my left ovary, I knew this because I've experienced pain and tenderness in this area over the years.This time I was a little concerned and went to the E.R. The E.R. doc did a vaginal, and said there was a mass the size of a tennis ball.
He referred the E.R. gyno, and i went to see him. He told me then that it would have to be reomoved soon, and I needed an ultrasound, which included the kidneys, (??) and then a CAT scan. My blood work did not suggest cancer.The mass is solid, and nurse said it looks like dermoid. At my second visit, after the results of all tests were in, my lack of insurance and payment plan was discussed, and I was then told it could wait, adn I should have it checked in three months.
During my ovulation, the pain was intense. i've missed a lot of work, which is not helping with my bills. i know i cannot handle another period. I feel like the lump is growing. i can feel it.
I am concerned.
I do not know what to do with no insurance.
i feel I am being rejected of medical treament for lack of insurance.
The pain is intolerable at times.
I'm also wondering, my sister-in-law, who is nurse, said that a dermoid is sometimes an unformed twin. I looked it up, and found some info about people who have these that experience lack of selfesteem, selfworth,a dn bizarre search of finding themselves an dnever feeliing whole. All weird, and unbelievable, but it's there all the same. Any thoughts on any of this?
He referred the E.R. gyno, and i went to see him. He told me then that it would have to be reomoved soon, and I needed an ultrasound, which included the kidneys, (??) and then a CAT scan. My blood work did not suggest cancer.The mass is solid, and nurse said it looks like dermoid. At my second visit, after the results of all tests were in, my lack of insurance and payment plan was discussed, and I was then told it could wait, adn I should have it checked in three months.
During my ovulation, the pain was intense. i've missed a lot of work, which is not helping with my bills. i know i cannot handle another period. I feel like the lump is growing. i can feel it.
I am concerned.
I do not know what to do with no insurance.
i feel I am being rejected of medical treament for lack of insurance.
The pain is intolerable at times.
I'm also wondering, my sister-in-law, who is nurse, said that a dermoid is sometimes an unformed twin. I looked it up, and found some info about people who have these that experience lack of selfesteem, selfworth,a dn bizarre search of finding themselves an dnever feeliing whole. All weird, and unbelievable, but it's there all the same. Any thoughts on any of this?
I'm not sure how it works in America (I'm South African). Here you can negotiate with a doctor the price they charge. An operation that one doctor charges R800 for another doctor can charge R14,000. Also, the doctor's in the countryside charges a lot less. And their standards are really high, maybe even higher than the city doctor that was overcharging. Some doctors also allow you to pay them back over a few months.
I can only talk about the insurance part. Yes, you are being denied treatment (probablly) because lack of insurance. Medical is a business and a privilege, not a right in this country.
Without insurance you can go a few ways:
1) Depending on where you live, and your finances, you can get Medicaid or Local health coverage. Although the restrictions are enormous and unless you are really 'poor' it's going to be darn near impossible to get it
2) Emergency room...that's about your only real option. If they admit you, then you can get the treatment inpatient. Outpatient is a different story.
3) County Hospitals...they normally deal with 'indingent' care...i.e. people who cannot pay. They will still bill you, however they will typically accept you...with a Doctor that approves it, of course (meaning you are limited to whom your doctor will be)
4) Never use credit cards, pay what you can if billed but don't get crazy...they'll send you to collections anyways, and you'll probablly have to file for bankruptcy depending on all your circumstances...yet you will want to delay that as long as possible due to how long your condition/situation will be due to the 8 year waiting period before you can do bankruptcy again. Collections will be your life until them (and even after believe it or not).
5) THere are plenty of programs out there, private, that can assist from medications to some medical payments....but once again restrictions are typically heavy and many do not qualify. Further since they are private, they don't pay for alot.
6) MediGap policies may be avaiable in yoru state...the monthly payments are expensive, but you'll qualify for that insurance but many will not take it either. You'll have to verify with the medical team(s) if they take it or not (same goes for any insurance).
Sorry for the above, but feel free to contact me directly if you want some guidance on the insurance part.
Without insurance you can go a few ways:
1) Depending on where you live, and your finances, you can get Medicaid or Local health coverage. Although the restrictions are enormous and unless you are really 'poor' it's going to be darn near impossible to get it
2) Emergency room...that's about your only real option. If they admit you, then you can get the treatment inpatient. Outpatient is a different story.
3) County Hospitals...they normally deal with 'indingent' care...i.e. people who cannot pay. They will still bill you, however they will typically accept you...with a Doctor that approves it, of course (meaning you are limited to whom your doctor will be)
4) Never use credit cards, pay what you can if billed but don't get crazy...they'll send you to collections anyways, and you'll probablly have to file for bankruptcy depending on all your circumstances...yet you will want to delay that as long as possible due to how long your condition/situation will be due to the 8 year waiting period before you can do bankruptcy again. Collections will be your life until them (and even after believe it or not).
5) THere are plenty of programs out there, private, that can assist from medications to some medical payments....but once again restrictions are typically heavy and many do not qualify. Further since they are private, they don't pay for alot.
6) MediGap policies may be avaiable in yoru state...the monthly payments are expensive, but you'll qualify for that insurance but many will not take it either. You'll have to verify with the medical team(s) if they take it or not (same goes for any insurance).
Sorry for the above, but feel free to contact me directly if you want some guidance on the insurance part.
I agree that the first thing I would do is find another Dr. One who will work with you and not put anything off. I think that most states have a Department of Human Resources (which was formerly the Dept of Public Aid) If you have a major medical problem and can not afford the treatment, you should look into this. Many times a good Dr will refer you to them or even help you to get things started. I f nothing else, talk to the Dr and explain your situatution and he may be able to refer you to some other kind of group that will help with medical payments. Do not put treatment off because of the attitude of a Dr. or the cost of treatment. As I said find a different Dr, explain to him what has happened and ask him if he can refer you to someone that can at least give you some info on getting some help.
Chris
Chris
One other thing...I'm new to this whole cyst thing, but I've learned quite a bit about surgeons in the past year. To me, a dr who will put you off because you do not have insurance is not a good dr to have. I know money makes the world go 'round, but at this stage you need medical care. For them to tell you that it's the size of a tennis ball, then to tell you that it can wait AFTER they find out you don't have insurance is insanely shady to me. There are dr's out there who will work with you. It sounds like this one is hoping that you will be in so much pain that someone else will do the surgery so he can move on to patients that he is guaranteed to get paid from.
Where do you live? In my area the Catholic hospital doesn't turn anyone away for lack of ability to pay. It is really important this be taken care of. Illinois also has a state run health care program called All Kids and Family Care for the ininsured. I don't know if other states have this. Don't give up until you are assisted. Keep us posted on your progress. I don't know about the dermoid/twin thing, but it sounds interesting. Marie
You need to visit your department of social services or health and human services immediately. Most states have a state run insurance system (here in NC it's called health choice) specifically designed for people who have a medical condition and/or cannot afford insurance. Now, if you make above roughly 30k a year you will probably not qualify without a deductable unless you have dependents in your household. But, even with higher income levels you can still qualify with a deductable.
Even if you don't qualify for the straight insurance plan, most of the time the department of health also runs clinics that bill on a sliding scale, so they will never charge you more than you can afford to pay. Most of the clinics have pharmacies right there as well, so you can get all your meds. Is this going to be a ritzy place? No. You are going to be in there with some people who are unsavory, but bottom line is that you need the medical care.
I found all this out b/c my employer cut my insurance once my FMLA period was over, wanted me to pay them $550/mo when my long term disab is only $1300. The DSS here has been a godsend in getting me the medical care that I need, and our state insurance lets me go to the dr of my choice instead of a clinic.
Even if you don't qualify for the straight insurance plan, most of the time the department of health also runs clinics that bill on a sliding scale, so they will never charge you more than you can afford to pay. Most of the clinics have pharmacies right there as well, so you can get all your meds. Is this going to be a ritzy place? No. You are going to be in there with some people who are unsavory, but bottom line is that you need the medical care.
I found all this out b/c my employer cut my insurance once my FMLA period was over, wanted me to pay them $550/mo when my long term disab is only $1300. The DSS here has been a godsend in getting me the medical care that I need, and our state insurance lets me go to the dr of my choice instead of a clinic.
Val,
I can't speak about about Dermoids in general because I know nothing about them and I wouldn't know about the psychological effects they might have.
I can tell you that if I had a mass growing on my ovary (which I do) I would want it out as soon as possible so I feel your pain there. Where do you live? There are programs out there for people without insurance - you just have to look for them. I would spend some time on the internet searching for assistance in your area....there may be a free women's clinic or something like that. I don't want to scare you but if the mass ruptures or twists itself around your ovary, it could become a medical emergency. Frankly, I'm surprised the hospital didn't refer you somewhere or at least give you some ideas.
Good luck to you!
Janet
I can't speak about about Dermoids in general because I know nothing about them and I wouldn't know about the psychological effects they might have.
I can tell you that if I had a mass growing on my ovary (which I do) I would want it out as soon as possible so I feel your pain there. Where do you live? There are programs out there for people without insurance - you just have to look for them. I would spend some time on the internet searching for assistance in your area....there may be a free women's clinic or something like that. I don't want to scare you but if the mass ruptures or twists itself around your ovary, it could become a medical emergency. Frankly, I'm surprised the hospital didn't refer you somewhere or at least give you some ideas.
Good luck to you!
Janet
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