denied, again

Hello everyone. I am a recent new member diagnosed with spondylolisthesis l-5 s-1, bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing, hypertension, and sciatica. I have been unemployed now for overe a year with no savings and no insurance,

Thanks to info and support I have received here I sought treatment from some charity and local assistance. i know this sounds like a broken record, but here goes. The local charity medical assistance from a hospital advised me they were "not seeing new patients". I was put on a waiting list for the future. A local university I had high hopes for see patients on a sliding scale; meaning I would still need some money to be seen.

I have to have hypertension meds and desperately need relief from back pain and debilitating leg pain. I honestly got so angry that I almost lost it.
I would like everyone to know that I read daily everyones posts and info and most importantly, support.
I will again go to the er just to at least get hypertension meds and hold some type of hope for more. But I wanted memebers here to know you are giving people hope, srtength to carry on. When I think of giving up all I have to do is come here and read and I know I am among friends. Thanks!!

Sorry to hear the news of your update...

If you don't mind a question (please feel free not to answer if it's too personal) but how are you supporting yourself now? As in I would assume you have to have some sort of money to live with either rent, food, computer/phone, etc....

I hope you went ahead and put your name on any waiting list. As I mentioned, they called me a bit sooner than I expected. And as far as the sliding scale...if you don't have an income...they really only ask for a very small amount of money. My "co-pay" for everything is only $12....and that is just for the main clinic. When they are sending me to different hospitals to see specialists...I will fill out forms there and not have to pay anything.

So, I would think you could save up bit by bit to at least afford to see them on a sliding scale with some of the funds that you have now..It certainly doesn't hurt to go and fill everything out and see because if you don't have any income...they will charge little to nothing.

Did anything happen with that side job you were trying to get (something about a security system.?).

I guess I am just trying to help you figure out what your plan is going forward if you are going to try to find another job, or are going for disability and are able to financially hold out as that can take a long time (even years)....I apologize if you already answered that part and I missed it..

Have you tried contacting the manufacturers of the medications you take like the hypertension meds? Many times they will offer those for free for people who need it.

I certainly think the ER will help out with those types of meds but it will be difficult to keep going there and trying to get pain meds. Things are just too strict with laws/regulations....They may give you more Flexeril...

As I mentioned on another post...I only pay $8 for 60 pills of Flexeril at Sam's club...I think this one is the same at Walmart but always call and ask around and many places will match a price. So if the ER Dr. can write a prescription for this...if you can at least get that amount you will have plenty of those to last a long time...

Just trying to brainstorm some thoughts/suggestions....believe me...I totally empathize where you are I've written previously...I haven't had health insurance for over 6 years...

Well..you have every right to shed a few tears when you going through times like these! So thanks for sharing more..That is wonderful at least that you have a place to live right now!

I am on SNAP myself...for a little over a year. It took a LOT to finally go and ask for help like that. I broke down in front of the social worker there. I've definitely worked most all my adult life, volunteered in the community in many ways such as being a firefighter/EMT for 10 years....so I finally convinced myself that it was ok to lean on others for a period of time until I can get on my feet again.

So, I'm glad you are doing the same! I think that yes, you have to have a prescription but if you know that you will qualify for a certain med then I think an ER Dr. would be able to do this for you until you can find another one to see. As I mentioned, they are usually more apt to help out with anything that isn't a controlled substance.

And hopefully you can save up or borrow that $8 for the Flexeril at Walmart/Sam's club as that would help to have around and take when needed.

But if you are truly in a health situation that it is risking things by not being on the hypertension meds, then I would go to the ER or Urgent Care and have them help you.

Is there any type of job in the area that you could do until finding something that you like? Even working part-time at a fast food, at a Walmart, literally anything else (not sure of all your job skills so no offense by just naming some basic things that most of us could do) until the weather gets warmer?

Ok heres another one,do a search for a Horizon healthcare in your vicinity as they have a low income payment plan and they work with a list of specialists should you need one that do pro-bono or low fees.They are mainly a primary clinic but do staff PAs and NPs who specialize in phsyc as well as a nutritionist and they have a MD and a P doc on staff if the case warrants. It beats nothing and at least you would get some meds you need.

Still brainstorming so be back later.

Vickie

I did not have insurance myself for five years, I totally understand your frustration. For awhile I was also on food assistance but I did not qualify for medical help.
I just looked and looked and I finally found a doctor who figured out all my issues as well as he only charged $40 per visit with no insurance if I paid cash. I know there are other caring doctors out there please keep looking dont give up!! I am still with him today, best doc ever I am so glad I found him!
I hope things work out for you!