Followup: tissue infection

[pll]

I understand the predicament, but the alternative (not healing properly and needing surgery) is surely more expensive than a supply of dressings. Since you mentioned you are a full time student, can the student health services at the college/university you attend come up with some samples you can use, some discount (or even a charge to your student account) on appropriate dressings for the wound?
Thinking of you,

-pll

[HipGnosis6]

Here's the latest:

Nothing's changed.

The lady at the clinic doesn't seem to be able to really help me much and I, being uninsured, can't persue more aggressive treatment without incurring sizeable debt (which would probably tip me over into bankruptcy, which would mean my credit would not allow me to get the loans I need for school).

I was covered at the time of the accident but my health insurance expired six days afterwards, and now they're denying my claim for the ER visit because it was related to an accident and it's my problem that I don't have auto insurance to pay for it.

I still have a painful, disgusting open wound halfway up the side of my calf.

[Grog]

HG6:

This is awful, and I am terribly angry at what's happening to you.

What a stupid system you are caught in!!!!!

Can anyone you know - friend, family member - help you with this? I really fear for your leg...

[pll]

How about we help? HG6: send me a PM with your snail mail address. A little cash may help (crazy idea on a Sunday evening). This situation in one of the richest countries in the world.

-pll

[Triskeliongirl]

There is something not right here. I work for a university, and our university hospital, as a public hospital is legally obliged to provide medical care for all regardless of their ability to pay. Furthermore, we require all our students to purchase health insurance, so I don't understand why you have none. Please go to infirmary at your college, or public hospital and seek appropriate care. I was a poor student once too, but I was never denied care by the folks at the university medical center. Maybe you screwed up and didn't elect health insurance coverage through your univeristy. But this wound center says they treat folks on a sliding scale so please go there and be treated. Your health is more important than debt. Sorry to be so blunt, but how much money can you ever earn if your leg ends up amputated? Do you have parents or other family members you can call for help? As bad as the situation is in the USA your siuation just doesn't make sense to me.

[ridethewind]

Hip, was this problem caused by your getting hit by the car? Was the driver at fault? If so and if the driver was insured, you may be able to make a claim against the driver's insurance to pay your medical expenses. Perhaps you have already looked into this, but it's worth considering if you haven't.

_____________________
Jean

[Triskeliongirl]

One more thing. I looked back at your original post. It said you were hit by a car while riding your bike. First of all your health insurance in that case is supposed to pay your claim, although they may then seek compensation from the motorists insurance company that hit you. This has nothing to do with whether you have auto insurance. I know because I was hit by a car and the other insurance company did pay my medical expenses, the replacement cost of my bike, lost wages, and a whole lot more. My lawyer worked for me for a percentage of my winnings, so if more is at stake here you may consider this option as well (I didn't have to lay out a penny to pay the lawyer- his fees were simply deducted from my settlement check). I didn't mean to be insensitive in my last post, but you strike as someone perhaps who is young and doen't know her rights. If that is the case, please seek the help of an older family member that may be more experienced in these matters. From what you have told us, the motorists insurance company is responsible for any medical care that is required as a result of the accident. Sometimes big companies will try to walk all over young people. Its happening to my son now. He has been trying to settle a claim on his own but tomorrow my husband will call on his behalf cuz its clear they are trying to take advantage of his youth and inexperience. He tried to take care of it on his own, trying to assert his independence, but sometimes it takes old folks to yell and scream to make people do what they are supposed to. Perhaps that is what is happening to you so please seek help from someone. If there isn't a family member that can help maybe one of your professors at school would help (and yeh, I did this for a couple of my graduate students too). I know all students aren't young, but just maybe that is part of the problem.

[mimitabby]

She said that the accident was her own fault. but still, here in Seattle there are places you can go if you don't have insurance to get care. The problem is,
she can get Emergency Room type care and a little medication, but when she's used it up, she has to go through the whole experience again.
My son found a Doctor's office, called the country doctor, who did everything on a sliding scale (he's another young person who didn't have insurance)
http://www.cdchc.org/index.php
Even as poor as my son was (IS), he still had to fork out a lot of money for the prescriptions he needed.

BUt Hip, you ought to give it a try.

[Triskeliongirl]

She didn't say it was her fault, not in this thread, only that she was hit by a car while on her bike. In my state it doesn't matter whose fault it was, if the car hit her the motorist's insurance has to pay, but maybe not in your state. BUT, she said she did have insurance but they said her auto insurance policy had to pay but that part makes no sense if she wasn't driving a car. I just want to make sure she is exploring all options avialable to her, cuz I think she is describing a situation that is potentially very serious.

[Dianyla]

So, how much does amputation surgery and recovery cost these days?

Seriously, get a lawyer if you have to.

[Triskeliongirl]

Hip, this is a very serious medical situation. PLEASE ASK YOUR FAMILY TO HELP YOU GET THROUGH THIS. Whatever it ends up costing, take care of your health now and worry about filing insurance claims later. Also PLEASE follow the doctors advice on caring for your wound. To not do so will cost you much more in both money and emotional stress later on.

[bcipam]

I guess Imissed he original "hit by a car" post but if you have automobile insurance and carrying medical coverage on that policy, it should cover some of your medical expenses for this accident (usually there's a limit of $5,000 - 25,000). Please call your insurance agent as soon as possible and file a claim. If it's rejected OK but it's worth a shot!

[bcipam]

Sometimes big companies will try to walk all over young people. Its happening to my son now. He has been trying to settle a claim on his own but tomorrow my husband will call on his behalf cuz its clear they are trying to take advantage of his youth and inexperience. He tried to take care of it on his own, trying to assert his independence, but sometimes it takes old folks to yell and scream to make people do what they are supposed to. Perhaps that is what is happening to you so please seek help from someone. If there isn't a family member that can help maybe one of your professors at school would help (and yeh, I did this for a couple of my graduate students too). I know all students aren't young, but just maybe that is part of the problem.

Tris... I don't know what your son's experience is with the insurance company, but I am a insurance professional and usually (although I agree there are some bad apples out there) adjusters handle claims fairly and promptly. Trust me, adjusters don't want to be screamed at by someone's parent. Do you know exactly what conversations have taken place between your son and the adjuster? I would first call, tell the adjuster who you are and that you are calling as your son has mentioned his dissatifaction and you would like to hear what is going on. Let the adjuster explain his/her side first. Try to keep the tone of the conversation cordial, don't give the adjuster an excuse to terminate the conversation.

Problem is most auto adjusters are the most inexperienced. In other words the first 1 - 2 year adjusters usually handle auto claims. They have to learn how to properly interact with people. I admit, some had a knack and talent and some need alot of coaching.

After your conversation with the adjuster, if you feel the proper answers were not provided, escalate the call to the supervisor. I would not ask the adjuster to transfer the call. I would ask for the supervisor's name and number and then initiate the call yourself. Again keep the tone cordial. The adjuster might tell the supervisor you are a jerk and if you are angry on the phone the supervisor might think its true. Make the supervisor think and know you have called just to get the matter settled and are reasonable to work with.

I know this is effort on your part. Having a claim is work for everyone. But the old saying "you get more flies with honey..." really does work. Also just an FYI, many states have regulatory insurance commissioners (by state - CALIF - does). The adjuster is under strict guidelines to perform in a certain way or risk heavy fines by the State. However this only aplies when a claimant is unrepresented. As soon as you get an attorney, the adjuster can know put the file on the bottom of the stack. Most of us like it when claimants get attorneys, we can move on to the next file.

If you want any advice or wish to discuss your son's claim and what's happening you can PM me. I am a claims director for a major insurance carrier.

PS: Tris I noticed you are in Texas. They most definately have an insurance commisioner and the Ins. company is under strict guidelines to resolve claims fairly. If you are dissatified with the result of your conversation you have the right to file a complaint with the Dept. of Ins. Ask the adjuster for that information.

[doc]

Here's the latest:

Nothing's changed.

The lady at the clinic doesn't seem to be able to really help me much and I, being uninsured, can't persue more aggressive treatment without incurring sizeable debt (which would probably tip me over into bankruptcy, which would mean my credit would not allow me to get the loans I need for school).

I was covered at the time of the accident but my health insurance expired six days afterwards, and now they're denying my claim for the ER visit because it was related to an accident and it's my problem that I don't have auto insurance to pay for it.

I still have a painful, disgusting open wound halfway up the side of my calf.

You truly risk losing your leg if you don't aggressively treat this wound. Frankly, if you develop a staph or strep infection on top of whatever you have you are risking your life. Hospitals, especially those affiliated with medical schools treat people who can't/don't pay all the time. At this point the money is no longer relevant. Many people file for bankruptcy and emerge and go on with clean financial records. Figure out the money later. Get to the wound clinic/surgeon NOW

[crazycanuck]

Hip...just wanted to see how your're doing...I hope you were able to sort something out kiddo.

Take care of yourself and i'm keeping my fingers crossed that something good comes your way.

c