My surgery is delayed.

Rhasslariel · Post by **Rhasslariel** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:37 am

Surgery has been delayed. Apparently, when having a scheduled procedure, the hospital requires insurance or payment up front. Only in an emergency room situation do they bill you later. The surgery will be $5,500. The anesthesia will be $800. So I have to have $6,300 up front. I don't have that. I will never have that. The surgeon is going to talk with the head of the finacial department to see if they can work something out for me. If they can, maybe surgery will be Monday. If the hospital is unwilling to work with me, then I have to apply for the grants and hope I qualify. Or hope my medicaid application gets approved. If not, I can't afford to get surgery. In this country if you're not rich you're not allowed to live. The doctor from the breast center told me again they caught it early. May not matter if I can't get rid of it. Ironicly, she said if I want reconstruction later, she has plastic surgeons who will do it free. I can get new ones free, but I can't afford to get rid of the diseased one I have. When will I ever learn to not hope for things.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:22 pm

I am so...so very sorry. I just can't wrap it around my brain that they would insist on payment for LIFE SAVING surgery, upfront, before performing it. That is beyond crazy. That's beyond cruel.

Are there any other hospitals around you? If not...What about writing a letter to...I dunno (sorry)...maybe media of some sort (newpaper, news channel, etc.)? Get some publicity. That would probably get them to shut up and do the surgery without demanding money upfront.

For as crappy as medicaid is, I need to still realize that SOMEthing is much, much better than NOthing. And this is a prime example of how we (i.e., me and others, not you) sometimes take for granted the GOOD things that we have to be thankful for, in our lives. I sincerely hope that you are able to somehow get that surgery asap, whether it be by grants, medicaid, 'bullying' or some other method.

Maybe if you got some publicity, you might even be able to set up a fund of sorts, if nothing else?

I wish I could help you, I really do. I know 'I'm sorry' doesnt help you hardly at all, IF at all. I know I dont know you, but I wish I could take your pain away. Please, please try to stay hopeful! As hard as that MUST be, especially given your situation, if you don't have hope, you dont have anything...please try to remain hopeful (not necessarily 'positive', because I am sure that is next to impossible and may be insensitive to say at this time, but HOPEFUL). If you become to expect things to go bad, at least in my experience, things WILL go bad, almost guaranteed. Almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy. You need to try to keep hope alive, to keep your body from shutting down entirely.

I guess what I am trying to say is...don't give up. Whatever you do, don't give up. I will be praying/thinking for/of you.

(((((Hugs))))))

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:05 am

I'm so sorry you have to deal with all this at a time like this. I was under the impression that County hospitals couldn't deny treatment for reasons of no insurance. ??? I know private hospitals can but have you asked about the County hospitals?

Megun · Post by **Megun** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:45 am

Don't give up! We are all stunned that they would tell this to you. Maybe ask to speak to a social worker at the hospital where you will have the surgery. Sometimes they might be more knowledgeable about ways to get financial assistance. There has to be a way around this barrier... I can't imagine how frustrating that must be. I will pray and think positive for you that the surgery will happen very soon. I like the idea of publicity from Cece. Most people would be shocked that they would delay the surgery.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:02 am

I hope this helps a little: Looong website address, but check it out. I cut and pasted the last article on the website as well here for your convenience, please keep us posted!

<A HREF="http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:sX ... d=10&gl=us" TARGET=_blank>http://209.85.215.104/search?q=cache:sX ... 0&gl=us</A>

“Help for the Uninsured
If you find yourself without insurance and unable to pay for the cost of routine breast cancer surveillance or treatment, many programs and resources are available to help you receive the care you need. The National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.gov) lists government and non-profit programs to assist women who don’t have health care and can’t afford routine screening or treatment.
Many cancer centers and hospitals set aside funds for women who can’t otherwise afford care. Contact your hospital financial manager, caseworker or outreach counselor. Make them aware of your financial situation; ask about making payment arrangements or inquire about special programs they have in place to provide services to uninsured women. Local and national breast cancer organizations can help too. Visit <A HREF="http://www.cancercare.org" TARGET=_blank>www.cancercare.org</A> for a list of organizations that help breast cancer patients pay for health care. Your local American Cancer Society can also direct you to other potentially helpful resources in your area.
Uninsured women can get free mammograms through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. (Find a contact in your state by visiting <A HREF="http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp.)" TARGET=_blank>www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp.)</A> If you receive a mammogram under this program and you’re subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer, you’ll receive treatment at no charge.
If you can’t afford prescribed medications, ask your doctor if he can provide free samples or help you apply for a drug assistance program. Contact the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (888-477-2669 or <A HREF="http://www.pparx.org)" TARGET=_blank>www.pparx.org)</A> for information about patient assistance programs, including many offered by pharmaceutical companies.”

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:59 am

My surgery is rescheduled for Tuesday. This is a county hospital. County hospitals can't refuse to treat the uninsured in an emergency room situation. But for scheduled procedures, which is what this is they want payment. This is considered 'elective' surgery because its not a right now emergency...to them. I spoke with one woman in the financial department (who agreed with me completely but was not in the position to do anything), who then spoke with the head of that department. That price they gave me is what is called the Self-Pay package. Its a greatly reduced price based on it being paid all at once at the time of the procedure. I told them there's no way I could ever have that much at one time. She finally decided to make and exception and if I pay a 'deposit' of cash, in this case I was able to come up with $1400, they would put the balance through as regular uninsured which would then be forwarded to their billing department in Tampa. I would then have the ability to arrange a payment plan. The bad thing about this is, I will now be charged the full price. Even with a uninsured 30% discount, the bill will still be at least double the amount. Being closer to $12,000. But at least I'll now be able to get the surgery and get this stuff out of me. And it will give me time to see what financial aid programs I can qualify for. Along with Medicaid, I've also been in contact with the American Breast Cancer Foundation's Key to Life program which offers grants.
Good thing for this program though. If I hadn't gotten it when I did, I might be in a much worse mental state than I already am now.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 6:12 pm

HALLAUJAH your surgery has been rescheduled. As idealistic (and unrealistic) as this sounds, please try to focus on your health right now- the $ is a distractor to your quick recovery and takes a toll on having a positive attitude, which studies have proven is essential to healing.

I am THOROUGHLY

disturbed and disgusted

by the beaucracy you are dealing with- I agree with Cece- it's time to rattle some cages. This is a travisty! Do you have someone to be your advocate?

Here's something I learned from the college attorney (D.A. at the tiem) several years ago when I was uninsured and had medical bills. Evidently, if you are making regular payments in "good faith" according to your income, there is absolutely NOTHING hospital administration can do.

I had two major bills- one for the emergency room in my college town and the other for an orthopedic surgon (sp?) in a neighboring city. After submitting my W2 form (I was independent at the time), the ER waived my bill; while the surgon set up a payment plan- which I eventually paid off over the course of 4 years.

Back to the "good faith" thing... my attorney told me that I could pay as little as a dollar a month if that's all my income allowed. I am NOT an attorney, and I may have been ill-advised, but this is something to keep in mind.

Frankly, I believe your bills will be paid for. What's life-changing for us is trival to God. I woke up today with you on my mind, Rhasslariel. I'm praying for your health and finances.
God bless,
Emily