Are there health needs you're putting off

[salinen]

because you cannot afford it, even if you have insurance? For me it's a definite yes. I'll bet I'm not alone. Best health care system in the world. Total and undeniable bullshit.

[midnight]

1. No, I bet your not alone.... I bet some don't want an illness to be

documented so they don't lose their employment or other abuse that can be leveled at those Americans having the Audacity to receive health care....

[oldtime dfl_er]

2. Yes

As a self employed small business (tiny business) owner, I have to pay my own medical expenses. I have insurance that I pay for -- medical costs me $500 a month and a high deductible. Dental costs me $600 a year, but many things aren't covered. So BEFORE I even set foot in a doc or dental office I'm paying almost $7000 a year for the privilege of also paying a copay, a high deductible and a percentage of whatever services are deemed necessary.

I can't afford that. I carry the insurance in case of some catastrophe, but I can't afford to actually get any maintenence care.

[kestrel91316]

12. I was in the same situation for years, and then finally the Bush economy

cut my income enough I couldn't even afford the premiums, let alone the deductible and copays.

[MattBaggins]

23. If the Republicans have their way

the day you have that catastrophe your insurance company will drop you like a rock.

[Kennah]

3. Yep

5 year old daughter needs dental work, and it's likely gonna be pricey. Just got the settlement check yesterday from a traffic accident two years ago, and that's gonna pay for it.

If it weren't for Canadian meds, wife would not last long.

[Kennah]

18. Oh, and by the way ...

... we have insurance. Pay for it out of pocket, but we have medical, dental, and vision. They dropped our prescription drug coverage this year so we now get a prescription drug discount card. Yee-haw. We also get a prescription drug discount card from the state, free of charge, and I think the state offers better deals.

Washington Prescription Drug Program
http://www.rx.wa.gov/

[Shagbark Hickory]

4. Lets put it this way...

This summer I went for a physical. It was the first doctors visit in 12 years.
I never got the memo that they don't automatically do a prostate exam now. Whoops.

[vduhr]

5. I have no job, and can't find one...

So, I have no health insurance, and I can't afford to go to the doctor to get the check-up I need to renew my meds, so I'm not taking any, and haven't for over a year. If I had a job, and they have health insurance, I would most certainly use it.

[Warpy]

6. I need surgery on my left foot and arthroscopy on both knees.

I have a fracture in my neck that happened 13 years ago that has never been addressed.

I have never had preventive care of any kind.

So offhand, I'd say that's a yes.

As cruel as this system is to average people, it's worse if you're sick and brutal if you're really sick.

[MattBaggins]

24. but but but but.... Boner said we have the best system in the world

Job killing buddy. It's zero sum. If you get health care someone has to lose their job.


It's always zero sum.

[Warpy]

64. Boner's care is gold plated so of course he thinks it's great

and I've actually considered running for office so I could get insurance.

However, with the skeletons in my closet from the 60s, I'd never get past a primary.

[bbinacan]

7. Nope. n/t

[NNN0LHI]

8. Yep. My wife too

Sue is taking Vicodin right now over it. She hates taking them due to the side effects but she has no choice. Both of us need more dental work this year than our insurance covers. Makes my teeth hurt to think about it.

Don

[w8liftinglady]

9. I see the by-product daily

in the form of strokes,infections,amputations,pneumonias,heart attacks,osteomyelitis....so many things preventative care would have eliminated.

[kestrel91316]

10. Yes, yes, yes, yes, and YES. FUCK YEAH. Uninsured.

[robinlynne]

11. I was putting everything off for the past 2 years, and then all of a sudden you pay double becuase o

of that.. Everything crept up at once. I have insurance, which I pay thousands for, but it does not cover everything, not even close.

[emilyg]

13. Yes.

[Earth_First]

14. Absolutely!

My forearms fall asleep and the burning and needles in my hands and fingertips from carpal tunnel.

I have a on-the-job rotator cuff injury from a now out-of-business employer which is a great source of pain at my current job.

I have some sort of undiagnosed knee problem that I cannot afford to have diagnosed.

I haven't seen a dentist in 10 years.

I haven't seen a physician in nearly 15.

Dollars and cents, I cannot afford any of it. Truthfully, what's the sense really? At this point my biggest problems are "pre-existing conditions" so they wouldn't cover it anyways...

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

15. OMG! No way could I afford health insurance. Talk about a luxury!

I'm very fortunate to live in Chicago, where we have a limited public option. My meds are very expensive. Without them, I'd be back in the hospital and then dead. The county gives me my meds for almost nothing. I have no idea what's going on with the rest of my person. Can't concern myself with that, now. I'm 44 and because of my diagnosis in my early 20s, I've only been insured for 7 years in my entire adult life (and hospitalized twice)!!!!

[ngant17]

16. That question is so blatantly true, it doesn't need asking

Are you kidding me? As if there are no poor people in America, or what?

[IronHorse]

17. When does HCR kick in?

My understanding of it is that the health care bill hasn't come into effect yet? When it does, will these problems FINALLY go away?

I sure hope so, for all your sakes. I'm in Canada, so I'm not used to hearing about this "Can't afford health care" thing.

[Autumn]

19. Yes, I can"t afford the

fucking co pay. My Sister last year was diagnosed with breast cancer right after her Husband died. I was with her through her double mastectomy and reconstruction all the way. I know what she paid out of her Husbands life insurance, on her portion. I told my Husband if I get breast cancer, I will not do a damn thing but die. I could never afford to pay what my insurance will make me pay.

[KT2000]

20. Yes n/t

[MattBaggins]

21. $1200 a month to keep my plan from my old employer

Subsidized COBRA ended and I pay full price now. I have run my rainy day fund dry and can not afford this months premium. I stopped taking my heart meds a few months back since I can not afford the co-pays (don't really need them though). I am taking my insulin and diabetes meds and that's it.

I am going back to school this month so things will hopefully get better.

[derby378]

22. Unemployed, uninsured

No medication, which means I gotta keep calm, carry on, and watch myself more closely.

[superduperfarleft]

25. Yes, and I can afford it, and I have health insurance.

But I'd rather not spend the money if I don't have to, seeing as you never know if you're going to lose your job tomorrow.

edit: And I should mention that my wife is Canadian, and the idea of doing the above is so completely foreign to her. I have yet to adequately explain certain things about this country.

[Cleita]

26. Not anymore because now I have Medicare, but

even when I had insurance I hesitated to use it because I didn't want to have a pre-existing condition for them to deny me coverage.

[Alameda]

31. Me too, but Medicare doesn't do dental or vision.

[Cleita]

34. I know.

However, I did get cataract surgery and a blepharoplasty on Medicare. They won't do glasses though. Too bad.

[Alameda]

45. Yes, I guess we can just walk off a cliff then after treatment.

[Divernan]

27. I was looking at 4 month waits for appts. w/ 2 different specialists.

And I have every expectation my health problems would worsen significantly because of these delays. I have fairly good health insurance but WTF good does it do me if the doctors aren't available? And these delays are in Pennsylvania, not Canada.

My internist, who has been my primary doctor for nearly 15 years, refused to call specialists to request earlier appts. She told me "Just keep bugging them."

Thank heavens, I happened to meet with a nurse/practitioner to get some self-care instruction. She took a liking to me, picked up her phone, called the respective doctors' office managers, asked them to work some magic, and got me appts. within the next 2 weeks with both specialists. When she finished, I said, "Would it embarrass you terribly if I kissed your hand?"

[saras]

28. Putting off? No, writing off.

The last couple times I saved enough money to see a doctor, I got such bad medical 'advice' I just walked out. In both cases, the 'diagnosis' was "we're going to ignore the complaints you came in for, because you have other potential conditions that we can sell you meds for, whereas your complaints require tests that you can't afford".

I just pray like hell that I can find alternative health care practitioners that aren't total quacks.

And the really annoying part is that a few years ago I knew a wealthy woman with a rich conservative family who was dying of incurable cancer. The amount of technology, service, and genuinely quality health care expended on her was ASTOUNDING. If you make it clear that you can pay 100% of whatever bills come up without blinking, and don't have to drag no stinking insurance companies into the process, you can still get some of the best health care in the world here in America.

[FarLeftRage]

29. Yes...

Very little or no money coming in. My meds cost $650 per week.
I'll probably be dead in 8 to 10 years from now... if I don't get back on my meds within that time.

[Blue_In_AK]

30. I haven't been to the dentist in quite a few years.

My teeth aren't falling out, and I don't have any painful cavities or anything, but I'm sure they could use a little attention. Our insurance only pays medical and vision. Dentists in Alaska are very, very expensive.

[datadiva]

32. I'm finally old enough for Medicare

Got sick while I was still working. Had to quit my job and have surgery. I went for 2 years with no medications or doctor visits. Now at least I'm only paying 20% plus the premiums. I'm still struggling to pay the costs that Medicare doesn't cover or pay.

[Cleita]

35. Actually, you should get a supplemental insurance.

I found it's much easier to come up with the approximately $150 a month it costs than try to come up with the 20% co-pay. If you are really low income Medicaid will often cover the co-pay.

[Lisa0825]

33. Yes, and I have *good* insurance.

But even with good insurance, just having 4 prescriptions with $20 copays is a moderate expense, not to mention doctor visits and tests. I put off refilling my Rxs and getting my annual checkup due to some other expenses that came up at the end of the year. I will be able to get it all taken care of soon, but the point is that even with good employer-paid insurance, my costs end up as a substantial monthly bill. and I haven't been to dentist in YEARS! I know I need to, but that policy pays less of the expense than medical, so I need to get caught up on my medical expenses before I add anything else to the list.

*sigh*

And I am not that old yet.... I can just imagine what a burden these costs will be as I age and start incurring more.

[spinbaby]

63. Yes, even "good" insurance is getting expensive

My employer offers "good" insurance. Until three years ago, I could see a doctor with no co-pay and get $5 prescriptions. Now the insurance is far more expensive and the co-pays are out of sight. I'm recovering from a health problem that's cost us hundreds in co-pays. Two antibiotics filled yesterday: $40 co-pay. Next week I have three doctor appointments that are going to cost $60.

[opiate69]

36. Yep.. mostly dental...

Last time I went to the dentist (about 3 years ago), it was suggested I should have all my uppers removed and replaced with a full plate... my dental insurance is generous enough to cover a whole $1,000 per year.. so I'll basically be going in every so often to have one or two pulled as pain dictates..

[Lucinda]

37. dental - not covered n/t

[AlabamaLibrul]

38. Yes. mental health for sure, physical health likely, dental could help. I have no insurance n/t

[TheKentuckian]

39. Virtual all and any. I did get a little money and broke down and got some glasses

I wasn't consciously accepting I had much of a problem but instinct took me right there as soon as time and money permitted.

The dentistry situation is worrisome. Just lost one I had put a grand into, trying to save it. Anything else that may be up is best let lay. I might be able to pick up some catastrophic soon and may even have something decent by the end of the year. I'll get by but it isn't right we have to live like this.

[Lorien]

40. Yes, all of them

from my thyroid disease to the broken molar in my mouth.

[Doremus]

41. My mouth is a mess because older root canals/crowns are starting to go

and I have few resources to do anything about it.

There are so few molars left that I can't chew a lot of foods anymore. Never thought I'd see a day when I would have to live with gaping holes in my mouth where teeth should be. :cry:

[NNN0LHI]

61. Check to see if you are near any of these dental schools in Cleveland

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=0&oq=clevland+dental+school&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4HPIA_enUS306US306&q=cleveland+dental+school

There are some fine ones around me that help out with your kinds of problems for little or no charge. I wish you the best of luck.

Don

[AC_Mem]

42. Yes

I need both hips replaced. I've had three surgeons recommend immediate replacement on the left. I can't afford the out of pocket or the time off work with partial pay.

So I limp and lay here at night in pain, reading DU...

:)

[lunatica]

43. Yes. My problem is dental

I'm very healthy otherwise so I avoid going to doctors. I was lucky to get cataract surgery completely covered. And I love being able to see since I'm an artist.

[The Midway Rebel]

44. Need glasses, root canals, lots of dental work and a physical check up.

Will likely have to put it all off till the 12th of Never.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

65. Cheap Prescription Glasses. Zenni Optical

If you can get an eye exam and get your prescription including PD (pupillary distance) you can order glasses on the internet.
I ordered 3 pairs from Zenni optical for 200 bucks. Fullrim bifocals, tinted, high index plastic and snap on shades.


Glasses start at 8.95 (Yes Eight Dollars and ninety-five cents) for single vision lenses and frame.

www.zennioptical.com

www.goggles4u.com


Coupons and reviews of websites:
http://glassyeyes.blogspot.com

[2Design]

46. YES - no healthcare since 1997 and I just keep hoping the government will go to

single payer or medicare for all

[csziggy]

47. Tomorrow we will be taking care of the most immediate one

Last year hubby was diagnosed as having eroding jaw bones because of severe gum disease. The recommended treatment is getting bone grafts in the jaw, which he needed on both sides. That was the first year we had dental insurance, and their payments, which really only cover routine checkups and cleanings and 50% of anything else at most, top off at $1500 per year.

To get the bone grafts on both sides was a total of $5700 and we flat out could not afford to pay the extra $4200. So he got one side done last year and we paid over$1700 out of pocket. It will be a stretch to pay that much this year since we have not built our savings back up as much as I'd like, but the alternative will be that hubby will lose his teeth and not have a strong enough jaw for dentures.

The good news is that his gums are getting healthier and the bone graft from last year looks really good.

The next problem is saving up to pay for our portion of my knee replacements. I will need both knees done and it is getting so painful I cannot walk around very long at all. I don't even want to think about how much our share of THAT will be!

[Withywindle]

48. Er, yes, and I don't have insurance.

I used to, back when I still had a decent job with a decent company where they looked out for their workers. Not high salaries--I never made more than 36K or so after 14 years of experience--but very good benefits. I didn't even use them much - I'm generally pretty healthy (knock wood). Sure was nice when I had strep throat three years ago, though! I'm glad the disease was kind enough to hit me then and not now.

Laid off two years ago, and currently underemployed at a slightly-above-minimum wage job and filling in the gaps with freelance work. Lowest quote I could get for health insurance is more expensive than my rent (which I'm barely making as it is).

Frankly, I'm afraid to go to a free clinic for a checkup. If I have some lurking illness that's terrible and expensive, what could I even do about it? At this point, all I could afford is a bullet (and I'd still have to ask someone to loan me a gun).

[madamesilverspurs]

49. Medicare is great, except

for dental. And do I ever need to see a dentist. Ticks off my docs, too, because so many other problems could be forestalled or prevented with even basic routine dental care. Frustrating!

-

[madmom]

50. Yep, diabetic here and can't afford to be tested as often as I should be. I can't

afford the test strips to do it at home and I can only get the meds that a local grocery pharmacy gives for free. Oh and yes, I DO have insurance, but it covers none or very little of this.

[Swamp Rat]

51. many. eom

[lpbk2713]

52. Need hearing aids in both ears.

Had all the testing done, MRI, etc. It will just have to wait.
It's not a life threatening issue so I can do without for a while.

[XOKCowboy]

53. Yes. Freelance contractor...

I also paid in over a quarter million dollars for "health insurance" during my 35 years in the "workforce". It all disappeared when my job did. My knee went out on me a year and a half ago and though I should get it scoped I can't afford it. Life in America.

[Dappleganger]

54. There are health needs we put off for two years we're taking care of now

Actually, it started this summer that we started taking care of it. Don't even get me started on all the dental work our family of 6 has needed to do this year. Thank god we finally have decent health insurance but it's like we all have a list and we're just checking it off, taking care of stuff. Let me tell you, putting off gall bladder surgery is not an easy thing (I got lucky) but it's done now. Everyone is back and regulated on their old meds. Two of us are about to get desperately needed new eyeglass prescriptions. I feel for you and anyone else, is really hard.

[Melissa G]

55. Yep! especially dental work.

I also have expensive insurance the has 6000 deductible. All very expensive and close to useless.

[MilesColtrane]

56. I've needed to have a tooth pulled and replaced with an implant for about a year now.

It's going to cost 3-4K, which I don't have.

When it starts hurting I self-medicate.

[NoSheep]

57. Yes. And I am insured

[LiberalEsto]

58. Absolutely

Mainly dental stuff at this point. Getting teeth pulled in lieu of costly crowns and root canals.

[Donnachaidh]

59. yes - dental mostly

We go through a horror show every year, just to keep emergency factor meds in the house for our son. The cost for these are 10K, and our new health insurance only pays 80%, so we have to apply for help from the hemophilia society to cover the other 20%. That means digging out our expenses, filling out forms - opening up our private information on a yearly basis, for 2 thousand dollars in help. We've never been in the position where we had the 2 grand to pay out.

My DH still has things he needs done - but won't. Myself too.

[StandingInLeftField]

60. Absolutely!

Dropped my own insurance to help pay for my daughter's medical bills (she's uninsurable due to existing conditions.) Of course that's when I had the heart attack. Then again, the Hodgkin's lymphoma 15 years ago didn't help. Bottom line, I couldn't afford insurance even if someone would insure me. I'm thinking the afterlife (if such a thing exists) CAN'T be any worse than the present life.

[scorpiogirl]

62. Yes.

I have all sorts of things I'd like to have taken care. A mole check, dental exam, female exam. I haven't been to the dentist in a few years, and I only go see my doctor (at $75/office visit) when I have an issue that needs meds. Haven't been to the OB in three years either. My husband finally found a job after two years, but no benefits are offered.

I'm really worried now because I need to go, but don't want to worry about being labeled with a pre-existing condition.

I'm right around the age where things start to go wrong too. Then you worry what they will find after you haven't been to the docs for along time that could've been fixed had you went earlier. What a nightmare.