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CuriousSeeker
07-04-2008, 12:52 PM
http://health.usf.edu/medicine/orthopaedic/patientcare/sports_medicine.htm

During my broke times, I would find the doc I needed and then ask for clinic (read: discount) services option. Or I would ask for an installment plan, or ask that individual doc for a pro bono or reduced fee service.

It sucks to ask, but it sucks not to be functional. My fear for your knee is that if it goes kaput or the pain outpaces you, you're losing a big source of income for you. Even if you get a brace or splint for your off-hours, you might be able to prolong your knee's happy times or perhaps fix the problem. Or, if it's a rheumatic issue, daily medication could be the answer to be pain-free and stop the problems.

My experience was that even at one hospital, I would ask a few different people until I got a yes because some folks were unaware of what existed for the working poor, or they simply weren't gonna give me a break no matter what.

Your status as a student might help you as well. When I was a student, I asked my surgeon for a discount, and she only charged me $100 for her services for an abdominal surgery that was a big deal really.

You might be able to get a break if the doc can use you as a teaching example. At one teaching university hospital here, students weren't allowed into my appointments because I was a covered patient. However, if I were a clinic patient, student would be allowed in to watch my exam and ask questions. Small price to pay if it means getting care.

People have already mentioned the dental school alternatives, since that "deep cleaning" shit sounds way shady to me. I had one dentist telling me all this stuff I needed. I don't have dental coverage at all, but it turned out to be worth it to call around a bit. I did find an excellent dentist who charged half of that - I've been seeing him for 9 years now.

I know exactly what you mean by taking the hit when someone else is sick and when money is tight. I've been in the same boat more than once in my family, and I never regretted the decisions I made because we were in it together. I've often taken stock of my boundaries around that stuff and my priorities. Like you, I was, and still am, satisfied with my decisions. I can tell you've given thought to a lot of options and what impact they would have now and in the future.

Forgive me if you mentioned this: do you have prescription coverage? If it turns out you need medications, you can score sometimes by contacting the manufacturer, or asking the doc to reserve samples for you, and more depending on your situation.

I'm not sure of the programs in Florida, but I do know in other states that there are statewide programs for the working poor that covers strictly some aspect of medical care. Maybe call your representative's office?

madmaxine
07-04-2008, 05:04 PM
I know exactly what you mean by taking the hit when someone else is sick and when money is tight. I've been in the same boat more than once in my family, and I never regretted the decisions I made because we were in it together. I've often taken stock of my boundaries around that stuff and my priorities. Like you, I was, and still am, satisfied with my decisions. I can tell you've given thought to a lot of options and what impact they would have now and in the future.

Forgive me if you mentioned this: do you have prescription coverage? If it turns out you need medications, you can score sometimes by contacting the manufacturer, or asking the doc to reserve samples for you, and more depending on your situation.

:yes: I've been there and am still living it. As hard as it is to ask, there is help out there. It's really frustrating to go around asking for help when you're in pain and stressed out, but there's no other way to communicate the situation unless you ask.

Sometimes a saving grace is just "a drop in the bucket" for someone else....