I know this because........................ Since I'm not teaching right now (only temporarily, I hope), and am only working part time at Holiday Inn Express, and my husband, Tim, is on disability, our income has dropped drastically (and I lost my insurance when I quit). Not all, but SOME hospitals and the doctors affiliated with that hospital will provide services at absolutely no cost, or, based on your income, at a much lower cost. We didn't know anything like this was available until I lost my insurance when I had to quit my teaching job to take care of my parents and a nurse told me about it. I called and was directed to the hospital's Financial Counseling Dept. They sent an application through the mail for each family member. I had to fill out the application and provide copies of our income tax (for the year after I gave up my job - we would not have been eligible before that because I made waaaaaay too much while teaching), copies of W2's, Tim's proof of disability income and the amount, list all assets (although I guess I cheated a little because I did not list the CD's and a savings account we have), and list ALL of our monthly bills, etc. I mailed it all in and we were approved for the program. We have to fill out all of that information and be reevaluated once a year. I figure this will be the last year we will be eligible for it because we had to cash a CD and it will, no doubt, show up when/if they verify our income through our social security numbers (since the interest will be charged to mine or Tim's number). Anyway, I have had super duper major surgery, numerous doctor visits, tests, procedures, etc. - and so has Tim, and we have never had to pay one cent. All doctor visits, tests, procedures, ER visits, surgeries, etc., are paid for as long as it is done at that hospital and by the doctors affiliated with it. Of course that doesn't include dental services or any type of cosmetic surgery or procedures that are considered optional. The only draw back is that the hospital and these particular doctors are about 50 miles away and there isn't a walk in clinic for simple things like colds, sinus infections, and things like that. We can call the family practice dr we have there and they will sometimes see you that day IF there is anything available, but sometimes they say it will be X number of days before you can get an appointment. If that be the case, they will SOMETIMES call something in for you. If not, we will go to a "Doc in a Box" closer to home and shell out the $60+ to see one of them. This program has been a wonderful blessing and peace of mind! Like I said, I figure it will end for us next September when it expires because we probably will not be approved again due to the interest from that CD. I need to get another teaching position for next school year so that we will have insurance and a decent income, and work things out - however I have to - to take cause of my parents.
Anyway, I didn't know if you knew these programs existed, or if you would even be interested in checking in to it, but thought I would share the info with you just in case. I hope that Sherry gets the medical attention she needs and that these doctors are able to help her!!!!!!!!
Lisa (in Alabama)
TreasureDigger
