Survived Cancer but without Health Insurance

[Revmachine21]

Guys... there's a youngster in the Injury Recovery section who is cancer free since 2004, but is living without health insurance and asking for advice on how to find affordable health care. He was told to go the Misc. section for advice! Collectively, I think the Over 35 crowd is a way better source of knowledge!

I really feel for the kid.

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...1#post37265521

Does anybody have any advice? I couldn't think of any surefire way to help him. Maybe somebody has some tricks up their sleeves that I don't know about.


Rev

[stahlhart]

I wonder if insurance plans geared towards the self-employed would be worth investigating...

[BigRagu]

Originally Posted by stahlhart

I wonder if insurance plans geared towards the self-employed would be worth investigating...

wouldn't i have to prove that i own some type of bizz and work at home?

[stahlhart]

Originally Posted by BigRagu

wouldn't i have to prove that i own some type of bizz and work at home?

I didn't read the original thread until just now, and was not aware of your employment situation.

I'm puzzled as to what sort of "crappy" jobs you are stuck with that don't provide medical plans. I just took a cursory look around:

http://www.7-eleven.com/careers/benefits.asp
http://www.mcdonalds.com/corp/career..._benefits.html

[BigRagu]

Originally Posted by stahlhart

I didn't read the original thread until just now, and was not aware of your employment situation.

I'm puzzled as to what sort of "crappy" jobs you are stuck with that don't provide medical plans. I just took a cursory look around:

http://www.7-eleven.com/careers/benefits.asp
http://www.mcdonalds.com/corp/career..._benefits.html

no job i have ever worked at have ever provided healthcare. one offered some type of coverage but it was expensive and was more of a discount coverage then reg healthcare..

as for that mcdonalds link the healthcare isn't for the burger flippers it;s for the people higher up if u read it. 7 eleven's around here that i see u would never get a job at..

acme does provide healthcare but i have been putting apps in for that place for awhile without hearing anything back.

my classes are usually around 11am to around 3 which kills alot of full-time jobs because they dont like to work around something like that. i'm usually stuck with partime jobs or atleast that's what they called them when they work u 25-35 hours a week but never give u fulltime stat so they can save money

[BuffDad]

Originally Posted by stahlhart

I didn't read the original thread until just now, and was not aware of your employment situation.

I'm puzzled as to what sort of "crappy" jobs you are stuck with that don't provide medical plans. I just took a cursory look around:

http://www.7-eleven.com/careers/benefits.asp
http://www.mcdonalds.com/corp/career..._benefits.html

Agreed there are jobs at all levels that provide decent healthcare but it might be a problem finding part times jobs that provide coverage.

Heathcare for business or self empolyed person is still expensive. About $600 a month last I knew.

Moving to another country might be an option ?

[stahlhart]

Originally Posted by BuffDad

Agreed there are jobs at all levels that provide decent healthcare but it might be a problem finding part times jobs that provide coverage.

Heathcare for business or self empolyed person is still expensive. About $600 a month last I knew.

Moving to another country might be an option ?

I think that you're correct on all counts here. I tried to help, anyway.

[Oregonian]

Originally Posted by BigRagu

no job i have ever worked at have ever provided healthcare. one offered some type of coverage but it was expensive and was more of a discount coverage then reg healthcare..

as for that mcdonalds link the healthcare isn't for the burger flippers it;s for the people higher up if u read it. 7 eleven's around here that i see u would never get a job at..

acme does provide healthcare but i have been putting apps in for that place for awhile without hearing anything back.

my classes are usually around 11am to around 3 which kills alot of full-time jobs because they dont like to work around something like that. i'm usually stuck with partime jobs or atleast that's what they called them when they work u 25-35 hours a week but never give u fulltime stat so they can save money

Try a manufacturing job in a plant - swing shift or graveyard will fit your schedule and most offer health insurance.

[Tifflex]

Find a doctor and discuss your situation with him or her. A lot of times you can get them to charge a lesser price for services rendered. I wish I had more for you...good luck.

[FittyFour]

Hi BigRagu:
Good to hear that you beat cancer - I wish you the blessings of continued good health and that you and your family never have to encounter this again!

As far as lack of insurance, since you are a full time student, I'd first suggest you check with an advisor at your school. There might possibly be a student plan available for you that would fit your needs and budget.

I also did a quick search online - for the moment, came up with this:

MostChoice.com
https://www.mostchoice.com/

It will provide you some online quotes so at least you can see how the dollars fall. It might serve you temporarily.

Excluding insurance, the writer above suggested speaking with your physician. For his office visits and followups, you could possibly work out a monthly payment plan.

I'll follow up with any additional info I can find for you. Finding affordable healthcare is difficult - hopefully all of us here can put our collective old heads together and help you come up with a solution.

[Gr3g_Lycan]

You live in the wrong country. The less you earn in Australia, the more free health benefits you get from the government.

[Revmachine21]

Originally Posted by GregT

You live in the wrong country. The less you earn in Australia, the more free health benefits you get from the government.

BigRagu should print this thread and show it to his Congressional representative. If one of the more serious options presented here is "to move to a different country", perhaps it would spur some actual assistance for Mr. Ragu on a personal level and you know, meaningful legislation to help the working poor.

I've gone political here, but gah, this is embarrassing for me as an American citizen.

[Defiant1]

Pennsylvania is pretty resident friendly.


Here is a place to start: I suggest stating your problem in the "contact us" area at the top left hand corner of the web page

PA Dept of Health Page

[edible_eye]

Never mind making this political. That isn't going to get anything done. One might receive free medical care in Australia but let's face facts - one never hears of people flocking to Australia when they need a medical procedure done right the first time. Stories of just such people coming to America for our medical expertise can be found just about anywhere. 'Nuff said. I'm not bashing Australia, I'm sure their healthcare is competently administered, just making a point.

And as far as a congressional member is concerned, the only thing he or she will be able to accomplish is a nod of the head, complete with a sad face, for a photo-op before telling him there's not much else he can do. Politicians are, for the most part, absolutely worthless when it comes to a single person's story. There already are services in place for the working poor of this country, however one must be proactive in seeking them out and securing them for use.

I posted this in the other thread, Bigragu but I'll copy / paste it here also just in case you missed it:

----------------------------------

BigRagu -

Hahnemann University Hospital provides a free cancer group to anyone who wishes to attend.

--------------------------

Coping with Cancer
?Coping with Cancer? is a free, weekly cancer education and support group hosted by Hahnemann University Hospital and The Wellness Community of Philadelphia.

Who: All Delaware Valley residents living with cancer, and their families and friends, are welcome to attend.

When: Meetings are held every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Radiation Oncology conference room, 1st Floor, Feinstein Building, Hahnemann University Hospital

For more information: Contact Sandra Bernstein at 215-879-7733.
---------------------------------------------

I have to imagine any questions regarding resources and follow up care for someone in your position can be answered by attending on or more of these sessions.

Have you looked into free care from any of the major hospital centers in your area? You live near the city of Philadelphia and city hospitals are notorious for providing free care to people in the area. Chances are, they'll also be able to hook you up with a doctor who works within their network.

The hospitals I found on Google in your area are:

1.) Thomas Jefferson University Hospital - 111 S 11th St, Philadelphia, 19107 - (215) 955-6000 www.jeffersonhospital.org

2.) Hahnemann University Hospital www.hahnemannhospital.com
230 N Broad St # 309M, Philadelphia, 19102 - (215) 762-7000

3.) Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
3400 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215.662.4000
www.pennhealth.com

4.) Albert Einstein Healthcare
www.einstein.edu
Albert Einstein Medical Center
5501 Old York Road
Philadelphia, PA 19141
215.456.7890

5.) Presbyterian Medical Center
39th and Market Streets
Philadelphia, PA
215.662.8000
www.pennhealth.com

6.) Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital
3300 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia PA 19129
215.842.6000
www.mcphospital.com

7.) Temple University Hospital
3401 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140
215.707.2000
www.health.temple.edu


Anyway, you get the point. There are more hospitals in the area but that should give you a good start.

Remember: Speak to the oncology department, financial services department and find out what you'd need to do to secure a Primary Care Physician.

And good luck.

[Ya Heard Right]

My mom is in the same situation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/05/us...rssnyt&emc=rss

She was on the front page of the New York Times because of this cruel situation.

Any ideas on what we can do?

[memoryman]

Most hospitals will provide what they call "Free Care." You apply for it and you will be given benefits for free. Hospitals are non-profits and so are tax exempt. In exchange, they must provide Free Care to those who do not have insurance. My guess is they come out way ahead.

We have a fine system here but it is not always accessible to the population. In that sense, it is not a fine system. For instance, the US ranks 36th in child mortality in the world. A scandal for a country as rich as this one is.

[TwiloMike]

Originally Posted by BigRagu

no job i have ever worked at have ever provided healthcare. one offered some type of coverage but it was expensive and was more of a discount coverage then reg healthcare..

as for that mcdonalds link the healthcare isn't for the burger flippers it;s for the people higher up if u read it. 7 eleven's around here that i see u would never get a job at..

acme does provide healthcare but i have been putting apps in for that place for awhile without hearing anything back.

my classes are usually around 11am to around 3 which kills alot of full-time jobs because they dont like to work around something like that. i'm usually stuck with partime jobs or atleast that's what they called them when they work u 25-35 hours a week but never give u fulltime stat so they can save money

Starbucks is known for flexible hours, healthcare for all their emplyees, etc. They are one of the top companies to work for if you're a student. I would check them out very seriously. Wherever there's a school there are a bunch of Starbucks locations.

[edible_eye]

While highlighting jobs that are known to provide medical benefits to their employees, just a cautionary F.Y.I. - many of the insurance companies (not all) will indeed provide benefits for UNKNOWN medical conditions, however known or pre-existing medical conditions are not always covered just because someone is awarded medical coverage.

[Revmachine21]

Originally Posted by Ya Heard Right

My mom is in the same situation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/05/us...rssnyt&emc=rss

She was on the front page of the New York Times because of this cruel situation.

Any ideas on what we can do?

I'd read through this post, I think the ideas we've come up with are the best the group has to offer.

Very sorry about your mum.

[BigRagu]

thx u all for your awesome responces. what i did today was get in touch with Sandra Bernstein at 215-879-7733 she said he knows of a few organizations that could help me out took down my name and number and is going to get back to me tomorrow. she said she also knows some1 around my age that was in the same spot i am and he got health insurance somehow. he is also going to get in touch with me.

also she directed me to the lance armstrong foundation
http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.jvK...ne_Support.htm
they have a hotline to call which just might be what i need.

also my friend just got a job working for jefferson hospital somewhere in the biz department he is going to look into any programs they offer or if they can help me out (this is the same hospital i had my treatment from)

so basically that's whats going on right now so we will see what happens.


just thought i would add this in incase any1 has a question about this.. if u try and get health insurance and pay for it they wont accept a cancer patient unless their 5 years healthy. (bs if u ask me)


thx u all for your help i will keep u updated on what happens


as for the waiting list for the health program from the state for low cost health insurance there is a 2 year waiting list for it . (adult basic it's called)

[Revmachine21]

This is a really good development!

Definitely keep in touch and let us know how things progress.

[edible_eye]

Good luck, BigRagu. The most important asset you have is your willingness to work for what you want to achieve. No matter how difficult the fight might get, work your heart and mind back to that piece of your personality and eventually, you'll accomplish what you're setting out to do here.

[-Leonidas-]

Good luck - I hope something pans out for you.