ANA Discussion Forum

Archive => Archives => Topic started by: tony on August 30, 2006, 10:07:52 am

Title: Face Rebuild - with no insurance ?
Post by: tony on August 30, 2006, 10:07:52 am

I dont completely understand the system stateside
I wondered if the group has some suggestions here
What/how exactly do you do if you need a face rebuild and there is no insurance
at all, no cover, no funds etc.
If you need surgery how do you get it fixed ?
Please can you offer some suggestions...
Best Regards
Tony

Title: Re: Face Rebuild - with no insurance ?
Post by: Sue on August 30, 2006, 02:21:59 pm

Well if you don't have any insurance to cover it, and no money...then either you don't get it done, or you have to negotiate with the doctors/hospital to make payments, or you take out a loan or figure out how to get the money.  Or you hope they will do some "pro bono" work for you...(yeah, right.)

Title: Re: Face Rebuild - with no insurance ?
Post by: Brendalu on August 30, 2006, 03:28:16 pm

Tony,
America is a wonderful country, but we tend to do more for others than we do for ourselves.  If you are in this ccountry illegally, you can get anything done medically at no charge.  If you work hard, but don't earn enough to afford insurance or have insurance but can't afford the copay, you are SOL.  Most doctors and hospitals don't take payment plans or if they do it is pay half up front and the rest in three monthly payments afterwards.  Sometimes you can go to a teaching hospital and get a discounted rate if they need to work on someone with your particular problem.
Everyday doctors and hospitals and well meaning groups bring people from all over the world to our hospitals to have very costly surgeries and proceedures done.
I had an exchange student from Norway back in the 80's.  She was appalled by the way our elderly and poor are treated, but she was given all kinds of things that she could have afforded. She did not understand and I still hear from her and she asks me what I am going to do when I get older! 
I wouldn't live anywhere else in the world, but we certainly need to work on making insurance and hospital and doctor visits affordable for all.
BrendaO

Title: Re: Face Rebuild - with no insurance ?
Post by: Captain Deb on August 30, 2006, 04:50:03 pm

Here, here, Brendalu: Don't even get me started on this topic, my soapbox won't bear the weight of all the jumping up and down and stomping I would inflict upon it!!!!! >:(

Capt Deb 8)

Title: Re: Face Rebuild - with no insurance ?
Post by: Brendalu on August 31, 2006, 05:50:27 am

Capt Deb,
I can't seem to get off my soapbox about this one.  After all, I live in Texas!
Hugs,
Brendalu

Title: Re: Face Rebuild - with no insurance ?
Post by: Captain Deb on August 31, 2006, 11:41:36 am

They shoulda just let Hilary get on with it back in the 90's!
CD

Title: Re: Face Rebuild - with no insurance ?
Post by: Brendalu on August 31, 2006, 12:13:13 pm

Amen to that!