Lost my job in December, but, wife works. She was on my insurance, and now she has none nor do I? I was treated for eye infection a year ago, but I had insurance then. She makes too much money to qualify for assistance. The clinic will not see me without insurance. How can I get treated?
2007-02-26 16:07:00 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
I am in a rural area in southern Illinois. No free clinics here. My wife's company doesn't offer insurance. and we have no county hospital. only private hospitals.
2007-02-26 16:18:22 · update #1
This sounds like viral conjunctivitis. This is the time of year when people who have allergies start having it. There is a product that I use called "Pink Eye" by Similasan. I have the condition off and on, and I use this and it really helps the problem. It usally cost $7.99 at Walmart. I found out it works just as good as the drops I was paying $25.00 for on prescription, plus the doctor's visit. I don't have insurance either.
http://www.allaboutvision.com/similasan/
To those who responded about going to the ER, who is going to pay the $750 ER bill when you don't have the money? It is true they cannot deny you healthcare, but they will make you pay the amount owed or turn you over to collections.
2007-02-26 16:14:29 · answer #1 · answered by Sparkles 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Signing up for insurance through your wife's company may be an option - however there is usually a 30 day waiting period. Go to the emergency room - preferably at an eye hospital such as Bascom Palmer (any will do if you're not near an Eye hospital). By law they have to treat you. Tell them to bill you and then deal with it once you're better. Don't wait though because some eye infections can lead to blindness.
2007-02-26 16:13:46 · answer #2 · answered by Sven B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is not past your state's or employer's statute of limitations... you SHOULD be eligible for COBRA insurance with the same provider you had prior to December. It IS a substantial out of pocket expense and I believe you may add family members to the plan also. You Do not want to have a gap in your health coverage as insurance companies look for ANY AND EVERY EXCUSE TO NOT COVER PEOPLE WHILE STILL EXPECTING US TO PAY THEM and call it a "pre-existing" non-coverable condition. You also don't want to screw around with you eyesight. Find a different clinic, purchase insurance if you can, find a medical school in the region that would be willing to diagnose you as part of intern training (always supervised by an MD)
LASTLY DO NOT USE home "remedies" from people on the internet!!! You get 1 pair of everything when you're born, please take care of your eyes!! Hope this helps and good luck, get well soon.
2007-02-26 16:23:10 · answer #3 · answered by Porterhouse 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to a county hospital emergency room...they can't turn you away and you can make payment's until the bill is paid. Also check your area for a free clinic....maybe you can get help there. if neither of these are an option then use something similar to what your Dr. treated your eye with last time....like antibiotic ointment and a warm wet cloth for example.
2007-02-26 16:14:04 · answer #4 · answered by Erinyes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
find a cheap clinic I go to one that charges 15 dollars for an appointment. If you have to get test then they have payment plans so you don't have to pay it off all at once. But you probably just need to see the doctor and get a prescription, and that shouldn't cost you much at a community clinic.
2007-02-26 16:12:18 · answer #5 · answered by alex 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best and cheapest way to treat and eye infection is take as hot of a rag as you can handle and hold it over your eye keep doing this cause heat will draw out the infection. also do you have public health in you area? try them and if all else fails go to the emergency room it is against the law for the hospital to refuse you medical attention.
2007-02-26 16:16:07 · answer #6 · answered by WYOnurse 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The clinic will treat you with cash. They just want the money up front to make sure they get paid. But I believe if you go to the hospital they can not turn you away legally. Tho this will be more expensive.
2007-02-26 16:23:53 · answer #7 · answered by ascendent2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
can't you sign up for insurance through your wife's company?
2007-02-26 16:10:14 · answer #8 · answered by stitchfan85 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
forgot worrying about insurance. visit an urgent care and get treated. the worst thing that could happen is that you lose your vision by not treating the infection. everybody accepts cash.
2007-02-26 16:56:26 · answer #9 · answered by KitKat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋