No isurance and no money; will hospital accept for strep throat?

Question

Hi, all 3 of my kids have strep throat, if I take them to the emergency room do they have to treat them? We currently have no insurance and no money for a down payment. Will they bill?

Answer 1

Most likely they will and I don't think they will denied
the treatment either. Have you thought about
going to the county hospital!

I don't mean to sound like a jerk but from the
previous questions you had ask, like for
example (going on a vacation for a month) if
you can afford that why can't you afford to pay
for your kids health)?

Answer 2

It certainly seems worth a try. Go to a public hospital - I don't think they can turn you away, and might be able to set up a payment plan for you. I know around here you can pay $10 per month for the rest of your life and it doesnt' wreck your credit as long as the agreed upon amount is sent each month. What about free clinics? Does your community have any? Those usually are only open certain hours and you will have to wait a long time in a room full of very sick people, but there are no fees if you are eligible.

Answer 3

They are not allowed to turn you away. And yes, an ER will bill. Also, most have a plan to allow you reduced payments based on your income. When you get your bill there should be information about applying for these benefits.

But be aware, you will probably recieve several seperate bills for ER services...the discount usually only applies to the bill directly from the hospital.

You may also want to fish around and check for free/reduced clinics in your area. Call your local dept. of Job and Family services for a referral.

That really is the pits, good luck hon!

Answer 4

I would call every doctor around and see if one of them is willing to work with you on the payments. You cannot let this go untreated. My brother got strep and wouldn't go because of the same reasons. It progressed into scarlet fever, and his six year old son ended up getting it as well, and I'm sure you don't want something like that to happen. You might even try asking a friend or coworker to help you out. You never know who's willing to help. BTW, it's also highly possible that you have a tonsil infection. I had one a few years ago, and it made it extremely difficult to swallow. But you need to get it checked to make sure.

Answer 5

If it's strep throat, you don't have to go to an e.r. Are there any clinics in the area? Sometimes, there's county health or something like that. I mean, if you go to the doctor, it's just a little test and a course of antibiotics. But an e.r. visit is like, $300, minimum. Try to find a clinic or someplace with a sliding scale first. And see if there's any state medical care. Sometimes, if you apply for state medical care, it'll be retroactively billed back to when you applied for it.

Answer 6

They should bill you. If it's a county hospital they may have programs to help you pay the bill. If it's a Catholic hospital they will also help you with the bill. Take care of your kids. The hospital won't do anything as long as you make some sort of payment each month.

Answer 7

Absolutely. Federal laws requires all ER to offer treatment regardless of: sex, age, nationality,....and ability to pay. Strept throat is a serious concern for children because if left untreated can cause serious cardiac damage.

At the ER, they will most likely do a rapid strept test which will take 10 minutes to confirm if a child has strept throat. If positive then the doctor will most likely give you two options for treatment: 1. a 2 week course of antibiotics (i.e. pencillin) or 2. a single injection of antibiotics (i.e. Bicillin).

Both state and federal funds will absorb the cost of treatment. If you decide to take a course of antibiotics, the ER will provide it for you without any cost to you. The same goes for the injections.

Answer 8

they will bill you and they will prescribe medication which u probably cant buy either. If possible ask for samples. They really need attention.Take the bills u get to the welfare office. We have the same problems here . Family members with no insurance. Cant go to doctor to find out whats wrong. cant get any help at all We are in Mich.

Answer 9

If you go to the Emergency room, no hospital will deny you. What the smart thing to do is to take all of your kids before their condition gets worse. Once they ask you about what means you have to pay for this: You ask about making payments and what they can do to help you with the expences. Im sure they have some type of help for you.

Answer 10

Yes so will most walk in emergent care centers. The hosptials typically have funds and chartible options to help you defer or pay of the bill when you can't pay. Please be sure to ask about these once the bill does arrive or you will damage your credit further. Just be sure to call the number on your bill and explain your situtation and ask for help.

I agree as well with the previous suggestion, please call your local social services to get medical coverage for you and your children health is so very precious.

I know it is difficult to ask for help from the state agencies and is often extremely embarassing not only for you but your children. Please ask for help, get the help and use it properly by accessing training programs, schooling (you can go to college while on social services) and get a better future by building career skills.

You not only teach your children it is ok to help but how to help themselves acheive great things on their own as they grow up and go out in the world later. Good Luck.