Have you ever gone to the wrong hospital?
By firecracker
@sacmom (14192)
United States
April 7, 2010 2:28am CST
My husband and I did just that last night. I had to take him to the ER because he was pretty sure he had broken his big toe after a weight plate (a 35 lb one) accidentally fell on it. We thought that he had Kaiser through his work (he had a Kaiser card though he never used it...until now). Anyway, you can imagine our surprise when we found out differently. They still admitted him (after he explained the situation), but because he didn't go through his health care provider we'll probably have a good size bill coming in the mail soon, unless they can work out the insurance somehow, that is. Wonderful. With him being laid up (yes, his toe is definitely broken) and me just being a stay at home mom an additional bill, and a big one at that, is the last thing we need right now. But I can't worry about that. I need to focus on taking care of my husband (and, of course our kids). Now if we could only win the lottery we'd have it made, at least financially anyway. LOL
So, have you ever gone to the wrong hospital? Did they admit you, or did they turn you away?
4 people like this
12 responses
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
7 Apr 10
As I said above there is no such thing as a 'wrong' hospital here and it doesn't bear thinking about 
What happens if the 'right' hospital is many miles away and the person is extremely sick? Is this situation going to alter after the new health laws that you have there?
I'm sorry about your husband and if I knew the next numbers that will be drawn I would let you know. We can help out here if you are able to be on and give you lots to comment back too, assuming you will have time to be here. Good luck! 
What happens if the 'right' hospital is many miles away and the person is extremely sick? Is this situation going to alter after the new health laws that you have there?
I'm sorry about your husband and if I knew the next numbers that will be drawn I would let you know. We can help out here if you are able to be on and give you lots to comment back too, assuming you will have time to be here. Good luck! 1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
7 Apr 10
Heck if I know. The whole thing confuses the hell outta me.
Thanks Diana, I appreciate that. Unfortunately I don't get to post all that much as it is. And with being on dial-up it's amazing that I get to post at all. Now there's this. Oh well, I'll try to give it a shot anyway. Who knows, maybe I'll surprise myself yet. LOL
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
7 Apr 10
Oh, I know he will. He's seems to be a good healer. It just bad timing is all. But then again when is it ever good timing when it comes to something like this? LOL
Maybe. If only I wasn't so darn tired I might be able to mylot more right now. 
PS I'm still not getting notified on comments when it comes to discussions that I start. So, if I miss any I apologize in advance. 
PS I'm still not getting notified on comments when it comes to discussions that I start. So, if I miss any I apologize in advance. 1 person likes this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
7 Apr 10
There is always a light at the end of every tunnel 
I know it seems like one heck of a bad moment but in time he will recover and things will get back to normal.
Maybe you will surprise all of us! 
I know it seems like one heck of a bad moment but in time he will recover and things will get back to normal.
Maybe you will surprise all of us! 1 person likes this
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
7 Apr 10
At first, I was wondering how there's a 'wrong hospital' since they mostly give the same service anyways, until you mentioned Kaiser.
It's really sad when people buy something only to realize they don't really know how to use them. Wasn't it written in your policy or card on the proper steps to take? You should always need to call your Health Card Coordinator before any admittance.
Anyhow, I've never gone through that, and I hope I never will.
I do hope your husband will be doing okay soon. I'd hate to admit it but a large bill isn't really something I'd be welcoming for now or ever will.
Good luck!
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
7 Apr 10
Thank you laydee.
As for what's on the card, it doesn't really matter as apparently his boss dropped Kaiser, sometime this year, I'm guessing. My husband just didn't know about it, or if he did, he forgot as he avoids going to the hospital, unless absolutely necessary, like in this case. In all the time that he's been with this company this is the first time he's ever bothered to use his medical insurance. And as his Kaiser card was still relatively new we thought it was good. We were in too much of a hurry, and my husband in too much pain, to think otherwise.
Hopefully everything will work out in the end...
1 person likes this
@mistissa (1349)
• Netherlands
7 Apr 10
I must say that things here are very different from where you are from. I live in the Netherlands, and we just pay a monthly fee to our health insurance. Whenever there is something wrong we go to any hospital we choose or doctor we choose. The bill will get send to the healthcar company and get paid. So we will never have that problem of going to a wrong hospital. I hope all is well with your husband now.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
7 Apr 10
It sure would be nice if we could choose hospitals like that here. Then my husband and I wouldn't have made the mistake that we did. Hopefully it won't cost us too dearly.
My husband's still in a lot of pain. He's been taking Tylenol for it, but it only helps a little. It looks like I'll have to get him some stronger meds later on today. I just hope the pharmacy that I went to will be able to get it for him so that there aren't any more delays.
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
7 Apr 10
I was going to say the very same thing. Here in Italy too there is no such thing as the 'wrong' hospital. All hospitals are available for anyone and everyone who is sick and the bill is paid by the government's health department which is funded by contributions which all workers pay.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
9 Apr 10
I was going to say no, but now that I think of it...when my appendix went bad last May I went to the urgent care center and they sent me to the hospital. Now, we have two hospitals here and one was closing for admissions and everyone being sent to the other. The urgent care center did not know this but the hospital gave me the tests then had me shipped to the other place across town (about 5 miles, it's a small town!).
I'm sorry about your husband's toe. I broke my big toe years ago and it was very painful, took way too long to heal in my opinion. Did they give him a cast? They gave me one and believe me, it was hard to drive my VW with a cast on my right foot!! But I did. I ended up removing it myself after 5 weeks because I could not afford the cost of a professional removing it.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
11 Apr 10
A cast for his toe? No. They did tape it up to the one next to it though. However, it was even more painful with the tape on there than it was without so he took it off after we got home. I kind of wish he'd re-wrap it as there is now a gap in between his toes where there wasn't one before. But I don't really have a say in the matter as they aren't my toes. LOL
Wow, so you removed the cast yourself? Was it hard to do? Or did you get it off without any problems?
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
12 Apr 10
I told him what you said,but he's not interested in doing that. At least there isn't such a gap anymore. I took a look at it this morning and was amazed at the difference. I couldn't believe my eyes! His toe is still messed up of course, but at least that part of it seems to be getting better.
Thanks so much for your help dragon. I sure appreciate it! 
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
11 Apr 10
Yes, it was difficult and messy! And eewww, did it smell bad!! I used a hammer and chisel and did cut my leg slightly when I miscalculated but I got it off. Where there's a will, there's a way!
I broke my a toe a few months ago, my fourth toe, and found that if I placed a little cotton between the toes it was more comfortable. Have your husband try that--it's important that it knit properly!
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
9 Apr 10
We don’t have that kind of thing here because any ER department in any hospital will treat you and it is almost always covered by Medicare. I am not sure what Kaiser is...Private medical insurance? It is so unfair when this like this happen and you are on a limited income as it is; I can certainly relate to that! It seems that getting sick these days is a bit of a luxury a lot of us cannot afford! I think illness, accidents and car breakdowns are really stressful!
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
11 Apr 10
I'm not sure either Paula. All I know is that Kaiser has their own doctors and hospitals.
And you're right about that. Getting sick or injured these days is definitely a luxury a lot of us cannot afford... 
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
8 Apr 10
That's gonna be so painful!!! IMagine the weight plate falling on the toe?!?! 
I have experience it once, just that the weight isn't as heavy, but it falls right on my mouth!! causing a very deep cut on my inner lips and few blisters!! lol =D
BAck to your story, i dun think a hospital will ever turn away any patients right?? Even if your hubby should be going to another hospital, the current one he's at, should admit him first, do all the necessary things before transferring them to the one he should be at.. hehe
I have experience it once, just that the weight isn't as heavy, but it falls right on my mouth!! causing a very deep cut on my inner lips and few blisters!! lol =D
BAck to your story, i dun think a hospital will ever turn away any patients right?? Even if your hubby should be going to another hospital, the current one he's at, should admit him first, do all the necessary things before transferring them to the one he should be at.. hehe @sacmom (14192)
• United States
9 Apr 10
It fell on your mouth?!? Ouch, that had to hurt!
I found out it wasn't a 35 lb plate as my husband had originally thought. Both were still up on the bar (we'd been doing squats that night). So it was either a 25 lb plate or a 45 as he had pulled off both, although not at the same time LOL, at the time of the accident.
As for being admitted, I guess the hospital did that without any problem. Now when it comes to doing all the necessary things that needed to be done, that was a different story...
1 person likes this
@tinkerick (1257)
• United States
7 Apr 10
From what I understand, in our state, if you go to the ER they can't turn you away. Regardless if you have no insurance or the wrong insurance. Of course you'll have to sign paperwork that says you're responsible for the bill or for what is not covered by insurance.
What sucks for me is that my insurance makes me go to the "big city" for medical attention even though my town has its own hospital and doctors.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
9 Apr 10
Well, they didn't actually turn my husband away, but they were only going to have a doctor take a look at his toe so it could be evaluated, nothing more. However, since my husband spoke up he ended up getting x-rays and crutches, which is what he really needed.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
8 Apr 10
hi sacmom yes I did once as my doctor had changed medical groups and his old group used one hospital and the new group he went to demanded fountain valley regional but I lucked out as my insurance felt sorry for me I guess and went ahead and paid the er, even though I should have gone to the other er.
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
9 Apr 10
Hiya Hatley. Hopefully my husband's insurance will do the same for him. At the moment Kaiser is giving him the run around, so we shall see what happens. 
@jags420 (189)
• India
7 Apr 10
hi dear... yeah, i do agree that by fate or by destiny or by any unknown force, your hubby has got into awful shape. but the problem is that there is no returning back. you have to brave the odds and take up cudgels to get the work done. may the almighty help you.
about me, no, i have not got into the aforesaid situations as that of yours.. these value- added services are troublesome at times..
@monkeylong (3139)
• Guangzhou, China
7 Apr 10
As far as I am concerned, I think I have just go some hospital for mistake. Some time I am just want to look at my mouth, Then I just do not know that I have went to a spirit hospital.
