I need to vent | Arthritis Information

Ok, i said last week that my rhummy thinks that it isn't ra anymore or intrinsic asthma but something deeper. She wants to do a cat scan, more tests and a bone density test (not sure what that is yet).

Anyway, the tests i originally had done were at the free hospitals her ein louisiana that go by your income. They "won't" give my blood work, x-rays etc. to the doc even though i signed the waver.

So now, i have to hit all the doctors offices and request all my information or i have to do tests for all those things again and apparently, the cat scan (kat, not sure which) which was going to be scheduled at the hospital that goes by your income might not be because they only like to work with their patients.

That's understandable if I didn't have to wait a year or so to see their doctor. I already have a female problem and have waited 3 months with symptoms of cancer and will finally see their doc in 2 weeks. A normal doc would have seen me months ago but this 3 month wait is what they call "getting me in right away". Otherwise it would be a year to see their doctor.

They do this no matter what you have done from rhummy, to reg doc to women's doc etc. long long wait.

I had polyp surgery for HORRIBLE problems and i had to wait over 6 months for it to be done and by them my hormones and whatever is wrong with me were battling and i couldn't get out of bed without help. It was horrible.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. I need all this work done and have no idea how to pay for it. Only way i could get it done at the free hospital is by getting on the year long waiting list, convincing the doctors to give me my scan, waiting another 6 months for the scan etc. It will be 2 more years before i get anything done.

Ok, im done. Thanks again for listening.

Oh dear...Bubba, stories like yours really break my heart. I don't know what to say except I really feel for you.

I sorry, Bubbagump.

Much huggs, love and prayers.

What an awful situation for you to be in, bubba. I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I hope you can find a way through all the red tape to getting what you need when you need it. Don't give up and never surrender even when it is nigh on impossible. Let us know how you are and you vent anytime.

There are just far too many of us in nightmarish situations due to ruddy systems. Will the regular hospital take you even if they have to wait to get paid? I would get it done even if I had to picket the doctors and hospital. That is absolutely ridiculous! I am so sorry that you are going thru this bulls---. Please keep us posted and you sound off anytime you want to and we will listen and try to help. That truly sucks, bubba. I don't know what the laws are down in Louisiana, but here in Illinois a doctor or medical establishment MUST provide you with copies of your records when asked. They are yours, not theirs.

Best of luck to you!

Bubbagump, I'm so sorry. Something needs to be done about the health care here in America, but I don't know what. I feel very bad for you. Just know that we're here anytime you need to get it off your chest.

Hugs.

To have my scan at the regular hospital i have to pay 75% cash for any work, that includes blood work if i have it done. They are far more expensive for blood work, so i get my family doctor (who is the cheapest i can find) to do all my blood work.

But, i have to come up with 75% in cash up front for the local regular hospital to do stuff.

Sounds like our local hospital. More interested in their money than helping anyone. Are there any other hospitals around you?? Even if you had to drive a little ways, it may be worth it. Do you have a Sacred Heart Hospital around you? It's southern and based in FL, but they have branches here and there, and have TONS AND TONS of grants and financial aide for people. That's where we took Justin for a year while we had no insurance, we didn't have to pay a DIME. I hope you can get some help soon. :( First of all let me tell you how sorry I am. It is bad enough to be sick, but then to have to go through all the red tape. The original hospital by law has to send your physician your medical records per the Federal law known as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. I am not sure how long ago the tests were done, but they must save them for at least 5 years. It is your information regardless of how it was paid! If you want copies of your records they may charge you a fee BUT not for ongoing health care to another physician.

If I were you, I would contact the hospital and ask to speak to the Privacy Officer. Again, federal law states that hospitals must have one. They have to take your complaint AND investigate the complaint. If you still have problems, just mention that you will have the "office of inspector general" or the OIG. By federal law the privacy officer must tell you how to contact this government agency. That will get them jumping, believe me I have been a privacy officer!

Every hospital has ways of discounting a charge. I would never pay cash unless they offered me a substantial discount. Most people don't know they can ask for that. Most communities have people who can help coordinate care for those who are uninsured. It is just difficult to find these.

If I can help in anyway, just private message me and I will do all I can to help track down resources. I have a degree in Health Care administration and teach health information management classes in college and I still have a heck of a time trying to work with my insurance company or understand their bills.

Boy Shanbr,

You certainly have had every Dx in the book. I never seen so many mis-diagnosed conditions you should be on mystery illness on TV you poor thing.