what to do, when you can do nothing

hello my name is heather. i am 23 and had my first pm put in at 6 years old. i was diagnosed with 2nd and 3rd degree a.v. heart block. i had the pm replaced in 2001. that means as of jan. 29 my pacemaker is 9 years old. i am scared to death now because i have no health care (cant afford), i cant get any assistance because they say we make too much money, and i am not disabled enough. i have not seen a doctor in 5 years. when i was a kid everything was fine, i had medicaid. at that time i wasnt thinking about what was going to happen when i turned 18. i went to the er when i was having problems but was told to see a specialist that i cant afford. i was home alone with 3 children not knowing what was going to happen to me. i got through the flutters, chest pain, and the extremely high and low heart rate through prayer. i try to have a positive attitude and hope everything is going to be ok but the bottom line is i have to see a doctor. i really need some advice right now. i feel lost and dont know what to do.thank you for listening and any advice you can offer

4 Comments

Maybe.....

by robertsjohn1945 - 2010-02-05 03:02:51

Hospitals have a fund to cover those who can not pay. At 44 I had my first heart attack and thinking myself immortal had no insurance. There is alot of paper work and it may take 6 months to pay but if you can stand the stress for 6 months with bills from every doctor in the universe it does get covered. Ask a hospital administrator
not a nurse.
:)
John

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by cathtx - 2010-02-05 03:02:59

I see you are in Texas...me too. I don't know where you are but in Houston area you have the Hermann system in Austin you have Brackenridge and in Dallas you have Parkland. If you are in distress and show up in an ER they will treat you regardless of your financial situation. They have to. Do not be intimidated by the healthcare system. You deserve treatment and it sounds like you need it.
Good Luck and take care,
Cat

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by Carolyn65 - 2010-02-05 08:02:50

Most uninsured ill people go to the ER. The Texas cities have hospitals who care for the uninsured/down on their luck people. Those hospitals may send bills, etc., but they can work with you and your situation (you can not get blood out of a turnip nor monies).

Ask for a Social Worker/Case Worker to contact you, and they will contact you and work/refer you to people & agencies who can help you. There is more help in this world than you know; only if you just knew where.

Some day, when you are on "your feet", you may be able to help someone in need as you have been. Good luck to you and your families.

Take care, Carolyn G. in TEXAS (Austin) ( :

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by justme08_2000 - 2010-02-06 02:02:45

It's called the ER. I know it doesn't seem that way, but if it's a medical emergency, like cardiac, they have to see you. I totally feel your pain in regards to not having insurance and all that. I had my PM put in almost 2 years ago at 28. For several months before I had it put in I was in the ER at least once a week if not twice. Some of the bills were wrote off. They realized at 25.00 a month (which I was faithful in sending) I would never get the bills paid off. I just got to the point where I decided if I needed to go in I went in. I knew because it was cardiac they would have to see me. I'll forever be paying off my PM because I got insurance a week before it was put in. However, they didn't pay for it due to pre-existing conditions (even though they kept saying it was anxiety and GERD). So, I pay my 50.00 a month on my 80K bill. They don't say anything because they get the money every month. When I finish school and get to working full time I'll pay more. Until that *shrugs* they get. It's frustrating but you gotta do what you gotta do.

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The mortgage on your device is more than your house.

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I am just thankful that I am alive and that even though I have this pacemaker it is not the end of the world.