On Friday night 2/20/2007 my husband and I came home to find our 18 year old son had fallen on his left foot and fractured it. We immediately took him to the closest Emergency Room. They did several x-rays gave him an injection for pain and sent him home with the instructions to call his primary care physician for a referral to an orthopedist on Monday. I had to insist on seeing the x-rays (I am an RN) and was appalled at what I saw. He had two breaks on one bone. One was still in line but the other was seriously displaced. Since then we have not been able to find a doctor to see him. It seems that because he is self-pay no one cares. I've been given several excuses but I know and his primary physician concurs that it is because of his lack of insurance. If this is not set soon it may leave him crippled for life. If anyone has any suggestions I would very much like to hear them. If there is an orthopedist in Georgia that would agree to see him please contact me ASAP. Thanks
2007-02-20 21:48:01 · 6 answers · asked by fishergirl 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Insurance
I wanted to add that the ER doctor spent a total of 30 seconds seeing my son. My primary physician told me it was the ER's responsibility to ensure he was seen and taken care of. My faith in the medical community has been severly shaken. I'm considering a law suite if my son suffers long term damage from this. I have never been a proponent of sueing unless there was some serious and preventable neglect ot incompetency. I try very hard to be understanding and am not a vengeful person but this is my son. He is just beginning his adult life and I feel he had been treated with appalling antfpathy and neglect. Thank you all for reading this and hopefully giving me serious, knowledgable and caring answers. - Fishergirl and Son
2007-02-20 21:57:47 · update #1
To spool32: My husbands group insurance only allows add on once a year in Feb. and yes we have added him on. Unfortunately it will not be effective until March 1 and this will then be considered pre-existing. We had him insured on another program but they would no longer insure him after his 18th birthday (we were not aware of this until we received the cancellation notice) His birthday was 11/28/2006 and we erroneously assumed we had time. As the old saying goes, "when you assume you make an A$$ out of U and ME"
2007-02-20 23:03:13 · update #2
If you don't get him treated in a day or two, call an attorney. One phone call from a lawyer might be all it takes to get the hospital you went to to re-treat your son.
2007-02-21 05:55:32 · answer #1 · answered by lizzgeorge 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the hospital ER you took him to doesn't/didn't have an on call orthopedist. Try again.... Or, take him to a larger, more full staffed hospital... If his fracture is able to be casted, and stableized, they should do it there. If its going to need surgery to correct, you will probably be back at square one.
and, orthopedic care is its own special niche in the health care world. Its been my experience, that most doctor's who specalize in orthopedics, will not cast a patient, unless its done while they're on call at the hospital. It has to do with being accountable for the previous doc's work.
And, most doctor's jump at the notion of having patients who are self pay... They love getting paid at the time of service... So, it sounds like the ER was unable to help him, and because of that, you can't find someone to help him now...
2007-02-21 01:12:00 · answer #2 · answered by Custo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take him back to the emergency room and ask that he see the Orthopedist on call. Explain that he is in pain and cannot find a doctor to see him. This sounds like a true emergency to me. You are trying to protect the function of his foot for the rest of his life.
2007-02-21 00:19:55 · answer #3 · answered by Insurance Biz CT 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i am really sorry to hear about your son. i would return to the er where he was initially treated and not leave until they "fix" it. Its pretty bad when you cannot get healthcare on a cash basis. i had the same thing happen to my duaghter who got sick and i took her to a dr and told them i was paying cash. they said they wouldn't see her and i threw such a fit in their waiting area in front of all their patients, they finally treated her to get me out of there. good luck!
2007-02-21 02:13:16 · answer #4 · answered by Queen B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He isnt covered under your health insurance? If he's a student its possible he could still be regardless if he resides in the household or not.
Also try the medicaid program in your state, link is below
2007-02-20 22:00:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
dont worry my friend ....................
u can get the insurance of any type easily..............
ya i had found that very easily by d source
2007-02-20 23:22:06 · answer #6 · answered by ravi C 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋