question

[question]

If anyone out there has been laid off without any health insurance. What does anyone do for medical problems? Is there anywhere that has a sliding scale? I called Southern Illinois Healthcare and they have a sliding scale but you can't get in until December 7th if you are a new patient. And I feel as though I need x-rays. I need help and not sure where to go for it. Looking for some answers and seeing if anyone has encountered this.

[mad]

I also have no insurance but if you go to the hosp. such as st.anthonys, st. elizabeths,etc they will work with you.If it turns out to be something serious most places will apply for a medical card.I think it just depends upon the situation.

[robert scott]

a hospital emergency room cannot by law refuse treatment anyone. like mad said, they will work with you. if you can't make a payment be sure you contact them don't let it go into collection. i've had two hospitals forgive my balance due just to get it off their books because i communicated with the billing people if i knew a payment was going to be late. they have the power to forgive a bill and helped me because i kept in contact, seems they're not used to people doing that. God bless you my friend, ill put you in my prayers. we need a good, affordable healthcare plan in this country, only a fool can say we have no problem.

[maybe try]

look into getting a medical card

[opinion]

We can solve the problems for the minority who don't/can't get health insurance without instituting a government-controlled plan that will raise costs and reduce the level of care. I've been with and without insurance, so I know it can be tough. But I pray this bill they're trying to get doesn't pass. It will end up costing everybody more.

[Joe Legal]

Joe Legal and Jose Illegal.

You have two families: "Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal".
Both families have two parents, two children, and live in California.

Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.

Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table."

Ready? Now pay attention...

Joe Legal:$25.00 per hour x 40 hours =$1000.00 per week, or $52,000.00 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax; Joe Legal now has:
$31,231.00.

Jose Illegal:$15.00 per hour x 40 hours =$600.00 per week, or
$31,200.00 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes.
Jose Illegal now has:
$31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for his family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year
Joe Legal now has:
$24,031.00.

Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year.
Jose Illegal still has:
$31,200.00.

Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible for food stamps or welfare. Joe Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or $6,000.00 per year.
Joe Legal now has:
$18,031.00.

Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps and welfare.
Jose Illegal still has:
$31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or $14,400.00 per year. Joe Legal now has:
$9,631.00.

Jose Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal rent subsidy. Jose Illegal pays $500.00 per month, or $6,000.00 per year.
Jose Illegal still has:
$31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for insurance.
Joe Legal now has:
$7,231.00.

Jose Illegal says, "We don't need no stinkin' insurance!"
and still has:
$31,200.00.

Joe Legal has to make his $7,231.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc.

Jose Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities,
gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month.

Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after work.

Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.

Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school. Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children get a government sponsored lunch. Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home.

Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services, but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.

Do you get it, now?

If you vote for or support any politician that supports illegal aliens...

You are part of the problem!

WE ALL NEED TO DO OUR PART TO PROTECT AND STAND UP FOR OUR COUNTRY. IT IS A SHAME FOR OUR MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES TO GIVE THEIR LIVES FOR OUR FREEDOM AND FOR AN ILLEGAL PERSON TO ABUSE WHAT WE HAVE EARNED. THESE ILLEGAL PEOPLE WILL TEAR OUR COUNTRY APART FROM THE INSIDE.
TELL YOUR CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS HOW YOU FEEL. THEIR PHONE NUMBERS ARE IN THE FRONT OF YOUR LOCAL PHONE BOOK OR YOU CAN LOOK THEM UP ON YOUR COMPUTER. IT'S TIME WE STICK UP FOR OUR COUNTRY TOO!

It's way PAST time to take a stand for America and Americans!

God Bless America.

[robert scott]

opinion wrote:

We can solve the problems for the minority who don't/can't get health insurance without instituting a government-controlled plan that will raise costs and reduce the level of care. I've been with and without insurance, so I know it can be tough. But I pray this bill they're trying to get doesn't pass. It will end up costing everybody more.

as a retired union carpenter i agree with your comment completely. i also think that insurance companies are a part of the solution. they need to be brought to task in this, they are exempt from present monopoly laws and free to price fix, deny coverage etc. by the way, what ev er happened to the immigration reform both parties promised us during the last presidential primaries?

[robert scott]

oh and i pay $1,000 a month to keep my family of 4 covered, or $12,000 a year!!!

[Krissy]

question wrote:

If anyone out there has been laid off without any health insurance. What does anyone do for medical problems? Is there anywhere that has a sliding scale? I called Southern Illinois Healthcare and they have a sliding scale but you can't get in until December 7th if you are a new patient. And I feel as though I need x-rays. I need help and not sure where to go for it. Looking for some answers and seeing if anyone has encountered this.

Can't you get Cobra??? Our laidoff people paid $99 a month for it. I think it lasts 6-9months...also I've heard about blue cross/ blue shield being like $150 a month. Nothing is "affordable" but it's better than nothing if you have it. With insurance I'm paying $50 a month to Redbud Hosp. and $50 a month to the doc. for a surgery I had earlier this year.

[robert scott]

Joe Legal wrote:

Joe Legal and Jose Illegal.
You have two families: "Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal".
Both families have two parents, two children, and live in California.
Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.
Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table."
Ready? Now pay attention...
Joe Legal:$25.00 per hour x 40 hours =$1000.00 per week, or $52,000.00 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax; Joe Legal now has:
$31,231.00.
Jose Illegal:$15.00 per hour x 40 hours =$600.00 per week, or
$31,200.00 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes.
Jose Illegal now has:
$31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for his family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year
Joe Legal now has:
$24,031.00.
Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year.
Jose Illegal still has:
$31,200.00.
Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible for food stamps or welfare. Joe Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or $6,000.00 per year.
Joe Legal now has:
$18,031.00.
Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps and welfare.
Jose Illegal still has:
$31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or $14,400.00 per year. Joe Legal now has:
$9,631.00.
Jose Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal rent subsidy. Jose Illegal pays $500.00 per month, or $6,000.00 per year.
Jose Illegal still has:
$31,200.00.
Joe Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for insurance.
Joe Legal now has:
$7,231.00.
Jose Illegal says, "We don't need no stinkin' insurance!"
and still has:
$31,200.00.
Joe Legal has to make his $7,231.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc.
Jose Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities,
gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month.
Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after work.
Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.
Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school. Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children get a government sponsored lunch. Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home.
Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services, but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.
Do you get it, now?
If you vote for or support any politician that supports illegal aliens...
You are part of the problem!
WE ALL NEED TO DO OUR PART TO PROTECT AND STAND UP FOR OUR COUNTRY. IT IS A SHAME FOR OUR MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES TO GIVE THEIR LIVES FOR OUR FREEDOM AND FOR AN ILLEGAL PERSON TO ABUSE WHAT WE HAVE EARNED. THESE ILLEGAL PEOPLE WILL TEAR OUR COUNTRY APART FROM THE INSIDE.
TELL YOUR CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS HOW YOU FEEL. THEIR PHONE NUMBERS ARE IN THE FRONT OF YOUR LOCAL PHONE BOOK OR YOU CAN LOOK THEM UP ON YOUR COMPUTER. IT'S TIME WE STICK UP FOR OUR COUNTRY TOO!
It's way PAST time to take a stand for America and Americans!
God Bless America.

SORRY, my last reples were meant to this

[question]

well cobra expired on me. i probably make too much for a medical card on unemployment. i have other bills i am paying on that i had before i got laid off, medical bills, so can't really afford any other insurance. its not anything that is like a broken bone or anything. but i am afraid its a disk and will cause other problems down the road if i don't get it looked at. i don't want to go to the hospital for that. just not sure what to do. was hoping someone else ran into the same problem as me.

[An Angel]

question wrote:

well cobra expired on me. i probably make too much for a medical card on unemployment. i have other bills i am paying on that i had before i got laid off, medical bills, so can't really afford any other insurance. its not anything that is like a broken bone or anything. but i am afraid its a disk and will cause other problems down the road if i don't get it looked at. i don't want to go to the hospital for that. just not sure what to do. was hoping someone else ran into the same problem as me.

There should be a clinic near you, look in the phone book. Hope that helps & good luck !

[Billing Dept]

question wrote:

well cobra expired on me. i probably make too much for a medical card on unemployment. i have other bills i am paying on that i had before i got laid off, medical bills, so can't really afford any other insurance. its not anything that is like a broken bone or anything. but i am afraid its a disk and will cause other problems down the road if i don't get it looked at. i don't want to go to the hospital for that. just not sure what to do. was hoping someone else ran into the same problem as me.

Most hospitals write off approx $250,000 a year on their taxes. You go to the billing department and tell them you are low income. You fill out some paper work and then you have to submit your income tax statements, checking account info, couple of pay check stubs and sign some papers and the hosp takes care of all your bills. You have to make a certain ammount or less a year to qualify.
You have to get treatment first and then go to the billing dept and ask to speak to someone about it. This usually takes care of all the bills for 6 mo, and if the treatment is longer you have to submit paper work and apply again.