What does one do when they need a neurosurgeon , but none of them take Medicaid?

Question

I have degenerative disk disease, with spinal stenosis, sciatica, herniated disks, and on SSI and Medicaid. It's not my fault that Medicaid is the only insurance I can get, I sure didn't ask for this disease!! I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. I hate the thought of one day soon not being able to walk, just because the neurosurgeons, are descriminating against Medicaid patients. Wish I was a doc, and had some of the docs that descriminate come to me or one of their loved ones. I'd make sure the shoe was on the other foot. I'd say Tough!!! But, I couldn't be like that! I thought doctors had compasison for the human race, for peoples lives! I sometimes wonder, anymore days! What happened to the policy of treating patients regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Most specialist are arrogant blankity, blanks!!!

Have contacted my local medicaid, and the office in the next county up. The local office has no one in neuro surgery. The next county had one that was only doing case per case basis in Jacksonville. My prime care doc's office says that the one in Jacksonville is no longer taking medicaid patients. So now they have no others on the Medicaid list. I've been searching online and phoning. I'm going to call a place in Celebration tomorrow.

got that right about the compassion and money. I still wish I could make them feel like they make the patients feel!! They sure wouldn't like it if the shoe was on the other foot.

It use to be it didn't matter on the $ as much. I think it's inhumane not to help people just because they can't get paid what there hearts desires. That is like seeing a critter suffering and not doing something about it either fixing them up or putting them out of their missery, just because they can't pay.

And it IS discrmination!! That would be like a gold course not letting doctors in because their doctors, or clubs not letting blacks in. Not only doctors but all over descriminate, and it's not right. But nothing one person can do to change that.

Yes I am on SSI, have been since 95. I plan on getting ahold of Social Security office and find out about getting on Medicare
Sorry for venting, it just erks me they way things has become .

Thanks!

Answer 1

the reason is this: each DOC can only have a certain percentage of Medicaid patients.. MAX #.. ALso if they charge $200 for a visit, medicaid will only pay about $100 of it and if u need surgery... it will cost them a lot more to do it than Medicaid will pay (which means they are overcharging). SO yes and no. on discrimination.. Are u on Medicare... if u are disabled, u should be able to get on soc sec/SSI.. Medicare would then be primary and they have to take u. I would def. ask for a supervisor .. meet with her in person so she can actually see how bad u are...It is her job to help u find a MD that will treat u... IT IS HER JOB..though she may not be willing to do it.. As far as MD's having compassion...that went out a LONG time ago.. now all they want is money.. As far as the treating pts without #, only in a free clinic and then only for basic things (not surgeries or neurologists).. but it takes 3-9 months for an appt for that.. Ur caseworker would be able to help u.. I am so sorry for ur pain.. I suffer severe pain and it's horrible. I can't get pain pills from my doctor that work... I have arthritis, migraines, etc. and so I know some of what u feel..GL

Answer 2

Call the medicaid customer help line, and ask for someone who can help you who takes your type of insurance. They can give you names of people close to you.

Many doctors don't like to take medicaid--that is true. But in my experience, it was because medicaid takes too long to pay claims--BUT, I also found that if my claims were submitted correctly, I got paid very quickly too. In Medicaid's defense, I don't believe that the reason doctors refuse Medicaid is because they pay so much less---you would be surprised to know how much your "regular" insurance pays, in some cases, it isn't even as much as medicaid pays. All insurance companies make "deals" with doctors as to how much they will pay, so doctors accept a lot less from other companies also, not just medicaid.

Answer 3

Check with Medicaid customer service in your state. If they are unable to assist you with finding a suitable doctor in your state, request a case manager. They should be able to help you find a doctor willing to treat you, or an alternative course of treatment. If this doesn't work, file a complaint with Medicaid, or the department of health in your state. Also, try to seek assistance from your primary care provider. They may have alternative resources as well.

Answer 4

No, I switched over in the present day to the my new care plan for all of u.s.. it will be an same one which the congress/senate have and do not pay for. medical, dental, the works., the money will come from from lobbyists, particular pastimes communities, and coverage agency's. Any scarcity of funding will be made up from the operation's budgets for th 3 branch's of the federal authorities. in spite of everything, would not Comrade Obama, Conrade Pelosi and the disciples want what's maximum acceptable for us, properly then provide us yours. I say get on board. If no longer my plan, then why do not you improve Medicaid no longer Medicare?.

Answer 5

The reson is, is that coorperate health care gets money for medicaid long term service contract, healing you is not in the numbers, having u stuck on afganny poppy filed opiats is in the best interest of uncle perv sam. sory bout ur luck, im thier w u. u see if u were able to goto collage, get healing medical treatment and provide for urself, there would b no need for medicaid and well the pick pockets would have 1 less pocket to pick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!