A friend of mine lives in Woodville and has been referred to Galveston (UTMB) for the neurology. She cannot afford the MRI needed. Wasn't it one time a charity hospital? I have heard from many people that UTMB is almost as much as other hospitals? I Know it's a great hospital though. Is it still for low income people? What should she do to help her get the MRI?
2007-07-21 05:18:52 · 5 answers · asked by renne o 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Houston
MY friend works and does not have medicaid. She pays taxes too but can't afford insurance.
2007-07-24 12:05:40 · update #1
UTMB still sees a lot of people who don't have insurance, some of whom are illegal. If she has insurance, she'll be expected to pay. If she doesn't, she can probably get it for free on the taxpayers' dollars.
2007-07-23 06:48:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
John Sealy Hospital is the hospital for the University of Texas Medical Branch, the oldest medical school in Texas and actually West of Mississippi. It is a state owned hospital under the University of Texas system, and it is supported by the state government.
Traditionally, it is the main charity hospital in the state of Texas. The state government had paid the UT system and UTMB to care for the poors and the indigent. However, during the late 1990's, there was a major fiscal crisis due to significant cutback of fund from the government, as well as increased number of indigent population due to the rising number of "working poors" (like your friend, who had job but low income and no insurance), UTMB was forced to either cut back on indigent care or to go bankrupt and close. The administration of UTMB, Dr. Stobos, took the challenge and decided major cutback, both in indigent care as well as staffing, resulting in saving the hospital.
However, due to lack of funding from the state, UTMB now limits the amount of charity care it can take. It is still THE referral hospital throughout the Texas, due to the number of faculty and research on site. However, its charity care is only for the residents of Galveston County, which still pays the bill for indigent and free care.
Residents at rest of the state will need to go to their own county or city hospital for free or discounted care. Ben Taub and LBJ are the county hospitals for the residents of Harris County, and your friend will be billed fully like she would have at UTMB if she is not a resident of Harris County or Galveston County. Don't go to BT or LBJ if she does not live in Harris County!
Have your friend call up her county health department to see if that can be arranged.
2007-07-25 00:38:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A possible solution is to drive her to Houston and take her to Herman Hospital. I think they are still a charity hospital. If they can't help her, they will tell you what to do for her.
Good Luck.
2007-07-24 21:26:23 · answer #3 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
UTMB is supposed to be a great Hosp and school as well. Maybe if she can not afford it try Ben Taub in Houston!
2007-07-23 15:50:47 · answer #4 · answered by katieanned 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Call the hospital and ask.
2007-07-22 10:23:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋