please help

Hello, I have had my pacemaker since July 15 2010. Apparently I'm to small for it and it's causing all kinds of problems. I don't have insurance currently and my doctor has suggested physical therapy for my PM. My chest and back muscles are knotting up and my back muscles are pushing my pm forward. It has already torn my incision and is now healing again but I can't afford the physical therapy and I'm not real sure what else to do. I've since then gained some weight but I have a hernia in my stomach so eating is difficult. It is so tight that I can barely move. I've been sick for a real long time and was looking forward to the recovery. However, since the pm all I look forward to is getting it out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

3 Comments

State medical programs

by teresa - 2010-09-19 11:09:18

I have looked into the state medical programs and I made so much money last year and my children are insured under their dad, so I don't qualify. I am getting married as soon as I am able to file my bankruptcy. He is in the military. So I will have medical insurance then, but I have to get through this financial bind I have put us in first. He just got back from Iraq. I met him before he left, we were planning to get married Feb 2 and he was deployed sooner than we thought. I had to have the surgery emergency before he got home. My heart rate dropped to 26 standing while I was in the hospital. The PM alone was 19,547.00. He's been paying my bills since I quit my job and it is taking every dime. Thanks for the luck.

State Medical Programs?

by Duke60 - 2010-09-19 12:09:13

Have you looked into your State medical programs?
They make it so tough for people with out insurance in America which is sad, no matter what the spin DC puts on it.
Good luck and God-bless

Talk to the hospital.

by sugarleaf4 - 2010-09-28 05:09:09

Have you spoken with the financial office at the hospital to ask them about any financial programs they may have? Many large hospitals have such programs but they are very reluctant to give the information unless a patient specifically ask them about the availability of any financial assistance programs. The larger the facility, the more likely you are that it will be able to offer financial assistance.

I will also add this ---- don't be afraid to ask for financial assistance simply because you think you made too much money. The hospital representative will determine what program(s) you might qualify for. There are some medical facilities that offer financial assistance to anyone, even if they have insurance with large co-pays. I understand what you are going through. The medical facility I use this year covered 100% of my expenses for my medical care and no one "volunteered" the information to me about their programs. It was only after I literally asked if they had any type of assistance programs that I was told, "Yes, we do!"

The key here is to "ask": Do you have any financial assistance programs that can help with my medical expenses?" Then wait to see what the answer is. There seems to be an unspoken rule among the hospital communities: Don't tell them if they don't ask about it!

I wish you the best!

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