how can a person with no insurance get help when needed badly
@easymoney75503 (1702)
United States
April 12, 2009 2:00pm CST
i woke up the other morning and my face was swollen 2 times it size on the right side. my eye was almost closed and my ear hurt. i went to the er and asked for help. they of course wanted insurance i explained i didnt have any. they tell me i need to see a dentist and gave me a prescription. 100.00 for the meds i didnt have and i cant afford a dentist and no one will work with me on a payment plan. what am i suppose to do? i hurt , swollen, and sick. the meds arent helping either. i cant afford to go to the er though and get another prescription. what should a person do. just roll over and die? i mean its not right that you cant get medical help when you really need it. no one wants to help. i have called churches, dentist, clinics, everything no help.
4 people like this
9 responses
@emilie2300 (1882)
• United States
13 Apr 09
I agree with Dmrone see if you have a catholic charities in your area. Where I live I have no dental insurance but if you work and meet guidlines there is a dentist there they have been working with me and they help if you are not working either.
We have sliding scale programs hear through a few people. I am not sure what state you are in but I am in Pennsylvania.
I am on there waiting list but they took care of my abcess quickly and the other rotted teeth. I am waiting to get my top plate.
@emilie2300 (1882)
• United States
13 Apr 09
I agree with you it is hard to find people to help I had trouble finding resources.
I agree with Dmrone see if you have a catholic charities in your area. Where I live I have no dental insurance but if you work and meet guidlines there is a dentist there they have been working with me and they help if you are not working either.
We have sliding scale programs hear through a few people. I am not sure what state you are in but I am in Pennsylvania.
I am on there waiting list but they took care of my abcess quickly and the other rotted teeth. I am waiting to get my top plate.
@kimbers867 (2539)
• United States
13 Apr 09
Wow, I am so sorry you are going through this. I wish I could offer you some advice, but I don't know where you can go.
@kimbers867 (2539)
• United States
13 Apr 09
After I sent this, I thought. How about calling a local tv station, and seeing if you can talk to someone who covers human relation stories. Or maybe they would have some advice for you.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
14 Apr 09
I would look for a free clinic or a community clinic that goes by your income. We have to go to the next town, but they are out there. I found ours by searching for clinics that charged based on income for our area and found ours.
@pitstop (13820)
• Australia
13 Apr 09
This is quite traumatic and the situation is unique to America.
The problem is that cost of health care for the uninsured is so high anyone would find it tough.
I really can't think of a way out. Sorry.
Have you watched the movie SICKO by Michael Moore - it addresses this very issue.
@yuanxiang9988 (17)
• China
13 Apr 09
I want to say i have no idea to help you,i have not encountered in this matter,maybe you should visit some organizations to settle it.sorry.
@adairesm (22)
• United States
13 Apr 09
I would say the first thing you need to do is look into insurance through your state. Take for example: in TN there is TNCare, which is free or reduced cost based on income, but for adults it is only medical coverage. The state of TN also offeres a program where you can purchase policies. Maybe your income is too high for the free insurance but not high enough to afford the major carriers. I also know about CareCredit, which is used as a type of revolving line of credit for medical/dental care. I used CareCredit for the removal of my wisdom teeth years ago. I didn't have the best of credit but still got an account so it's worth at least looking into. Wish you all the luck.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
13 Apr 09
I sure wish I knew exactly what to tell you but we have no insurance either. We have to pay out of pocket for everything also. I heard they have to help you and work with you but alot of times, they only give you one year to repay in full to them. I am not sure what people are supposed to do. A medical emergency will ruin a person. They do not care.
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
13 Apr 09
Oh, this is bad. Your only option is to lend money to a friend or a family member. Here in the Philippines not all people are insured or have insurance,some of them especially poor people depends on government to supply their medical needs. Not all are supplied that's the hardest truth so that is why many are dying without paying and without medical assistant. I don't know if only rich people survive because they do have insurance but I can say that if you don't have it , it really is a big problem.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
13 Apr 09
THis is terrible! I live in Canada, and this could not happen here. Every Canadian has Free health care. Its been that way since 1984. I can't understand why America is so backward about the Health for the American People? Why don't the Citizens of this so called (great) Country rebel- go out in the streets and demand Everyone be treated equally. Why do all developed Countries (except America) have universal health care?
Does the Average American citizen not care 2 hoots about his/her poor neighbor who is not able to afford health Insurance? Sure looks that way!
