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Any ideas how to get low cost care with insurance?
I originally got Covid Jan 2, 2022. As I had kidney stones 5 days later, I didn’t realize how sick I was. After a month and stones passed, I was not getting any better. Severe dizziness, couldn’t walk more than 20 steps before I couldn’t go any further, drenched in stinky sweat all the time, hypersensitive to any smell, racing heart, constant chest tightness, nausea, muscle spasms/twitching, bloating, edema in legs, brain fog, and more. Went to dr. Who sent me to physical therapy. I couldn’t work, so no money for therapy. Then I got covid again in June, which set me back again. Dr referred me to post covid “research group” at university. They took my insurance, but each visit was going to be between $70 and $250 out of pocket, not including blood work, MRIs, CT scans, or any of the specialists (like neuro, or gastro, etc). I still haven’t worked at this point so no money to pay for any of it. I was finally able to go back to work part time, usually under 15 hours a week, at$15/hr. Because I haven’t been able to pay for tests or go to specialist I can’t get disability, now I have covid again. I’m tired of falling through the cracks. Any ideas are welcome.
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Our government spent trillions on fast tracking a vaccine for covid that has left 5% dead and 20% with long covid and billions on test packets that are so unprecise you could test numerous times while infected and always get negative test just to make sure we could get back to work - sick or not.
Now that we are seeing the millions of people dealing with the debilitating effects of long covid - there is no money, no help, no care, no compassion. This has been a huge screw up with only Pharma coming out on top and everyone else running for cover. For me, it's clear they are not going to treat long covid, they certainly don't want to know what caused it so don't look for diagnoses or investigative services for your symptoms. As long as we have politicians in the pocket of Big Pharma, Doctors in the pocket of Insurance and lawyers prescribing care - we are doomed. Its way past time for single payer medical insurance.
@rosebear2424, here are a couple of possibilities to look into:
- How to find low-cost health care in your community: https://www.healthcare.gov/community-health-centers/
- My Help Navigator https://myhelpnavigator.auntbertha.com/ It is a social care network that connects people and programs — making it easy for people to find social services in their communities. You will find free and low cost help in your area.
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1 ReactionI appreciate the ideas. The road block I keep running into is that I have private (employer) insurance through my estranged husband. In my area, If you have insurance, the clinics that do sliding scale for income, and/or have financial assistance - the insurance immediately disqualifies you for those programs. I’ve made calls to 90% of the places listed on the second webpage to try and get assistance. Seton, Baylor Scott and white, lone star circle of care, ut post covid, st. David’s, the county health clinics, etc. I’ve even been told if I was on Medicaid everything would be covered because of my income level. The other kicker is that if you lie and say no I don’t have insurance to these clinic, you become liable for the entire bill, and get in trouble for insurance fraud, which is not something I’m willing to do.
I have insurance, but I can’t afford to go to the blasted doctor to get the tests done that might, strong emphasis on might, allow me to qualify for disability becaus long covid has affected me for last 16 months. I guess I figured there are other people out there who are in my position, and might have some insight as to how they got past these hurdles. Here’s hoping.
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1 ReactionYou need to check with your state's Dept of Human Services or who ever mange's Medicaid in your state.
My sister was low income and had terrible employee insurance, she could not afford her medications because co-pay was so high. She applied for state medical insurance and qualified because of her low income even though she was eligible for private insurance.
Be aware, that some clinics that take private insurance, may not take Medicaid.
The process and qualification will vary per state.
Laurie
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3 Reactions@rosebear2424 I echo what Laurie stated above. I work for HHS in my state and part of my job is determining eligibility for various Medicaid and related programs. If you only work 15 hours a week at $15.00 per hour you would qualify for a Medicaid related program if you live here in my state. They would take into account any other income you have. You lose nothing by applying, and hopefully your state has similar medical programs. Typically, you can apply online. There may be some providers that don’t take it, but most teaching hospitals do. If approved, usually you’re under a managed healthcare, and you can compare which providers take which managed healthcare programs to meet your needs. Take care.
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1 ReactionDo you have any ideas how to get the dept of HHS to not include my estranged husband income? We are not divorced, aren’t living together, and have no court order. I talked with them Friday, and was told his income would be required. Maybe that’s someone new talking, but they said that because my insurance is through him and no court order his income would be required. He’s not going to give it.
@rosebear2424 Do you file taxes jointly? That may be the problem. Does your spouse give you any money? Do you live at separate addresses?I don’t know enough about your situation or your state’s particular requirements . Can you file as married filing separately? Or get divorced? I know having his insurance is valuable, but obviously it is not enough. I wish I could help you more.