I'm out of state on vacation. I've had some minor (major?) health issues with my child. His doctor took him off Zithromax 2 days ago, but his symptoms are not improving. He has 2 ear infections (bad ones) and is acting like they are getting much worse.
If I take him to the hospital (i'm over 700 miles from home), will I have to pay up front or will my insurance act like I'm at home, and I'll just pay a co-pay? Also, can I just be billed for it if I can't afford to pay up front? If it helps, my son is on medicaid.
2007-03-25 16:49:05 · 8 answers · asked by Kristin D 4 in Business & Finance ➔ Insurance
If my son is on Medicaid and I'm over 700 miles from home and in another state, can I still take him to a hospital and remain covered? (There are hospitals much closer than any urget care facility around here.) I'm very upset with his healthcare provider at the moment, as her suggestions have seemed to have made our situation much worse. I want to take him in for his ear infections, vomiting, diarrhea, and other things as well, as his symptoms are getting worse every couple hours. He is not digesting any food or drink, as it is all coming up right after he eats it. And I mean, directly after he eats it. Within one minute, at the most.
2007-03-25 17:03:33 · update #1
It shouldn't matter where you are in the U.S. Especially if your son is on Medicaid. Your health insurance should follow you wherever you are. Call them to make sure. There should be an 800 number on the back of your card.
2007-03-25 16:54:09 · answer #1 · answered by codereaper 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK, he needs to go in, you and I both agree about that! Most of the time, medicaid does NOT cover out of state emergencies - but I would call the local hospital, ask for admitting/insurance, and ask THEM that question, unless you can wait until morning.
Ear infections WILL resolve themselves in a few days - worst case scenario, the ear drum will rupture, and fluid will run out - resulting in INSTANT pressure relief, and he will feel much better. The not keeping anything down is a different story, though. Depending on where you are, the ER could be a whole different nightmare - here in Houston, the average wait is 8 - 10 hours, sometimes a lot longer.
Good luck! Try a heating pad for the sore spots, and see if you can find pedialyte anywhere - we've had GREAT luck with the pedialyte popsicles - it's hard to eat them fast enough to throw up.
2007-03-26 04:55:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Zithromax continues working after the final pill has been taken (I am going by memory here so forgive me if I am thinking of another antibiotic that begins with a Z). Call the doctor who originally prescribed it for your child and check. Take their advice for the next step medically speaking. As for the medicaid - whether or not it will pay, up front or later, is second to the health of your child so if you must pay out of pocket then you must.
2007-03-26 17:55:45 · answer #3 · answered by Dubberino 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends - if he's on HMO medicaid, then you have to find a provider which will accept HMO medicaid - where you are is really irrelevant.
Please don't take him to the hospital - there are usually lower cost urgent care facilities that will take your medicaid. A hospital is for an emergency - If you have straight medicaid, then any facility that accepts federal grant money must care for your son.
2007-03-25 23:55:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Medicaid does not cover out of state. It does not follow you. It is a state funded welfare system.
Find a charity hospital where you are and ask for a financial form. Sign him up on that.
2007-03-26 16:15:07 · answer #5 · answered by sweetxgrace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, the answer is tes and no. Some hospitals are private, for-profit hospitals, and typically won't take medicaid patients without cash upfront. You'll want to go to a public hospital instead.
Also, there's nothing wrong with calling a hospital's billing department and asking them these questions yourself. You probably can get your answers without having to give your name.
2007-03-26 00:00:56 · answer #6 · answered by Bobzeechemist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mediciad often does not pay over state lines unless referred. But contact them to be sure. A friend of mine was admitted to our local hosp. and she was transferred to a major hospital in another state. She is still fightling w/ medicaid over the coverage. They have paid for portions of her stay, but not everything.
Also if you have another insurance carrier, contact them on thier benifits. My current insurance I only have to pay co-pay for emergency at any hosp. Also, it accepts any hosp for emeregncy care, however my local hospital is not covered for non-emerencies unless referred by a dr. Insurance prior to that I had to pay 20% which added up quickly from a complicated pregnancy.
Oh yeah, and they will not charge you upfront. You will recieve a bill, and they will accept payments. (If your bill is outrageous, you only have to pay what you can afford, they can not send collectors after you if you make a regular attempt to pay them off.)
2007-03-26 01:36:48 · answer #7 · answered by Jada515 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one state never takes another state medicaid. They may have u apply for mcaid where u r. They cannot deny treatment to yr son!!!!
2007-03-25 23:55:25 · answer #8 · answered by Dotr 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋