Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 28

Thread: Help please

  1. #1
    cameron_keys
    Guest

    Default Help please

    My mother needs a very costly surgery for bladder prolapse. She has no insurance and my parents cant afford the surgery(it is in the $10K-$30K range).

    They are in NJ, near Philly.

    Does anyone have any ideas?? Anyone you know or any program or anything in that area that could help her?

    Any information would be greatly appreciated.

  2. #2
    Kaylinn
    Guest

    Default Re: Help please

    I had an enlarged lymph node in my next a few years ago. They were unsure of what it was, and was concerned it was cancerous, so they wanted to remove it. I had no insurance.

    The doctor set up everything and did the surgery and billed me for it, at which time I set up payment arangements. I only paid $20 a month.

    So maybe that is an option?

    Or....yuo can look for special programs...uhh....Like when I had cervical dysplasia and needed surgery, It was covered under the Breast and Cervial Cancer fund.

    The whole surgery and after care with follow up paps for a year was all covered under this program.

    You could see if there are any programs for bladder issues.....

    Sorry... I don't have many ideas....

  3. #3
    cameron_keys
    Guest

    Default Re: Help please

    ^^ Thanks Kaylinn. I had no idea there were programs. I will do a search..but if anyone knows of any...a link would be a huge help!!

    I have no idea if payment plans are an option. I'm assuming not since my parents didnt mention it and they would be the type to ask.

  4. #4
    God/dess Embyr's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Schlong Beach, Cauliflower
    Posts
    2,558
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 14 Times in 5 Posts

    Default Re: Help please

    I googled a million things but I don't have enough information. There ARE a fair amount of free clinics in NJ, but I don't know the county, etc., that they reside in.... snoop around a bit with some search engines... type in "free," pro bono," the county, the name of the surgery, the category of the surgery, the type of surgeon required... DON'T GIVE UP... you WILL come up with something.... sorry i couldn't be of more assistance!!!!

  5. #5
    cameron_keys
    Guest

    Default Re: Help please

    Quote Originally Posted by Embyr View Post
    I googled a million things but I don't have enough information. There ARE a fair amount of free clinics in NJ, but I don't know the county, etc., that they reside in.... snoop around a bit with some search engines... type in "free," pro bono," the county, the name of the surgery, the category of the surgery, the type of surgeon required... DON'T GIVE UP... you WILL come up with something.... sorry i couldn't be of more assistance!!!!
    Thanks..I'll try that!!

  6. #6
    God/dess
    Joined
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Temporary Lurkmode...
    Posts
    12,609
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 79 Times in 35 Posts

    Default Re: Help please

    Some hospitals have payment plans themselves. Also, there may be a program that the hospital offers if people are low income that they may qualify for no matter the age. You could give a call to the hospital billing department and ask what options there are.
    you live like an ivy vine
    you can only survive by clinging onto trees
    that's your flaw
    put down some roots so you can stand on your own
    -Kenpachi



  7. #7
    Banned LatinaRose's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Toronto 4 now...
    Posts
    4,876
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Help please

    I don't have any advice other than what's already been said, but maybe you should post this in the Lounge?? It will get more attention in there and you'll probly get more ideas.

  8. #8
    cameron_keys
    Guest

    Default Re: Help please

    Quote Originally Posted by LatinaRose View Post
    I don't have any advice other than what's already been said, but maybe you should post this in the Lounge?? It will get more attention in there and you'll probly get more ideas.
    I thought about it, but since it had to do with surgery I figured the mods would move it here. Mods...feel free to move somewhere else if necessary

  9. #9
    Senior Member lyra's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2007
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    118
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Help please

    Cameron,
    Look into the Hill-Burton Act. They might be able to help and they have facilities in nj.

  10. #10
    cameron_keys
    Guest

    Default Re: Help please

    Quote Originally Posted by lyra View Post
    Cameron,
    Look into the Hill-Burton Act. They might be able to help and they have facilities in nj.
    Thank you so much!!! I'm looking at it now and hopefully they can help.

  11. #11
    ruru123
    Guest

    Default Re: Help please

    there are a TON of charities out there to help. the hospital will have applications for them. most of the time applicants just have to meet the guidelines, like obviously not making a ton of money a year ect... that's what those charties are for.

    hope that helps.

  12. #12
    cameron_keys
    Guest

    Default Re: Help please

    Quote Originally Posted by ruru123 View Post
    there are a TON of charities out there to help. the hospital will have applications for them. most of the time applicants just have to meet the guidelines, like obviously not making a ton of money a year ect... that's what those charties are for.

    hope that helps.
    My paretns have tried a few,including state health. Apparently what my dad makes on SS and pension(even though it is NOTHING) plus the fact that they own their home disqualifies them for most things.

    Amazing how you can be butt ass broke and still too rich for help.

  13. #13
    God/dess gypsy_girlchild's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Va mostly
    Posts
    2,750
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 52 Times in 41 Posts

    Default Re: Help please

    I think most places DO have payment plans, you just have to ask.. My little brother had a lot of dental work done and they "billed" him afterward. Basically if you pay them a certain amount each month, (religiously) they are happy. You just have to ask them what the procedures are, they rarely volunteer this info.
    Please don't lick me, it tickles..



  14. #14
    ruru123
    Guest

    Default Re: Help please

    ^^ I know babe, coming from canada(where healthcare is FREE), and now living in the states and having to deal with all the healthcare bs here (becuz of my hubby's illness) it appauls me. You either have to be super poor or super rich. The super poor can get the medicaid and charties, but the middle class or normal "working class" have to suffer?? Its terrible!
    But there has to be something out there that can help ur moms situation. I'm sure it will get worked out, everything always works itself out somehow.

  15. #15
    God/dess Lena's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2002
    Location
    On a sweet muddy river.
    Posts
    6,399
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 78 Times in 43 Posts

    Default Re: Help please

    I'm not sure, but I think there's a law that as long as you make some sort of monthly payment on your hospital bill they can't sue you. Even if it's just $1/month.



  16. #16
    cameron_keys
    Guest

    Default Re: Help please

    Quote Originally Posted by Lena View Post
    I'm not sure, but I think there's a law that as long as you make some sort of monthly payment on your hospital bill they can't sue you. Even if it's just $1/month.
    I think I've heard that before..but it can screw with your credit. And my parents have perfect credit that I'm sure they dont want to mess with.


    It just kills me. Its considered "elective surgery" so a lot of programs dont cover it because it isnt considered anything but an annoyance. Umm..yeah..I'd be a lot more then annoyed if every time I was upright for more than 20 minutes my organs fell out of my vagina.

  17. #17
    stellaforstars
    Guest

    Default Re: Help please

    Most of the time, as long as you're making payments monthly towards the bill, it won't screw with your credit. However, it is safest to see if something can be worked out beforehand.

    However, if the worst were to happen and you had no options, I'd make the choice to come up with your own monthly payment system regardless of how your parents' credit scores might be affected. It certainly might lower them, but it wouldn't ruin them. And besides...what's the point in having good credit if you don't have the health to enjoy it?

    I know you'll figure it out. My aunt works in the billing department of a hospital. I will ask her and see what she has to say. Perhaps she could point me towards some resources.

  18. #18
    cameron_keys
    Guest

    Default Re: Help please

    Quote Originally Posted by stellaforstars View Post
    I know you'll figure it out. My aunt works in the billing department of a hospital. I will ask her and see what she has to say. Perhaps she could point me towards some resources.
    That would be fabulous..thank you!!

  19. #19
    God/dess PookaShell's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2006
    Location
    The middle of a field in the south texas countryside...
    Posts
    4,186
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 13 Times in 8 Posts

    Default Re: Help please

    Hmm...can you call and find out about payment plans? Most hospitals will work with you, I think. When I had to go to the emergency room once I had no insurance and the bill was $800 and when I got it I just called and explained that I'm in college and don't have the money to pay it all at once and asked what we should do, and they set up a payment schedule.....

    I wish the best of luck to your family, and will be thinking all the good thoughts I can for ya'll!

  20. #20
    God/dess gypsy_girlchild's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Va mostly
    Posts
    2,750
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 52 Times in 41 Posts

    Default Re: Help please

    Yes, it messes with your credit IF and a big IF you don't pay them the monthly payments, it has to be a certain amount they deem is worthy per month, a dollar doesn't always cut it.. They WILL send you to crdeit agency if they think the monlthy payment saren't enough (basically they are afraid it will take to long to pay off.) One good thing is that they hospitals don't charge interest and if I were you I would ask the finace people what an accepatable amount per month would be.
    Good luck, hope all goes well with her surgery!
    Please don't lick me, it tickles..



  21. #21
    God/dess gypsy_girlchild's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Va mostly
    Posts
    2,750
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 52 Times in 41 Posts

    Default Re: Help please

    Quote Originally Posted by PookaShell View Post
    Hmm...can you call and find out about payment plans? Most hospitals will work with you, I think. When I had to go to the emergency room once I had no insurance and the bill was $800 and when I got it I just called and explained that I'm in college and don't have the money to pay it all at once and asked what we should do, and they set up a payment schedule.....

    I wish the best of luck to your family, and will be thinking all the good thoughts I can for ya'll!
    ER is different from extensive surgery. this will be a planned event and costly also, so the docs want to make sure they get paid. $800 is chump change to the hospital, surgery is where the money is and they usually won't perform if they don't thin kthey will get paid in a timely manner.
    I'm sure Cameron and her mom will be able to figure it all out.
    Please don't lick me, it tickles..



  22. #22
    God/dess gypsy_girlchild's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Va mostly
    Posts
    2,750
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 52 Times in 41 Posts

    Default Re: Help please

    ooh, I forgot to mention that when my mom went in to have her gall bladder removed they set up a payment plan for her, I don't know what the total costs were, but I do know she was in the hospital for a few days without insurance, the hospital allowed my folks to pay bit by bit.
    I'll ask Mom what they did tomorrow, I'm sure most hospitals are the same in every state.
    Please don't lick me, it tickles..



  23. #23
    God/dess
    Joined
    Apr 2007
    Location
    The Diner State
    Posts
    5,085
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Default Re: Help please

    Have they tried Charity Care (diff from Medcaid which totally sucks in NJ, possibly everywhere)? I have no idea about qualifications, but it's only for one time hospital stuff, not ongoing medical things.


    They might also want to try a teaching hospital-UMDNJ has a few in the Camden area-Cooper is supposed to be very very good. Maybe they would be more open to helping someone for educational purposes (I know, your mom is not a teaching subject, but whatever gets her better).

  24. #24
    God/dess velvet's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    4,778
    Thanks
    154
    Thanked 279 Times in 146 Posts

    Default Re: Help please

    if they have perfect credit. maybe a bank loan?

  25. #25
    God/dess Lysondra's Avatar
    Joined
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Another Country
    Posts
    18,664
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 148 Times in 100 Posts

    Default Re: Help please

    Quote Originally Posted by cameron_keys View Post
    My paretns have tried a few,including state health. Apparently what my dad makes on SS and pension(even though it is NOTHING) plus the fact that they own their home disqualifies them for most things.

    Amazing how you can be butt ass broke and still too rich for help.
    Knowing that lovely American government, it might, sadly, be time for a mortgage. :/


    Look like a woman
    Think like a man
    Act like a lady
    Work like a dog

    - My Great Grandmother Bessie's Recipe for Success

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •