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eskielover · Jul 26, 2009, 06:19 PM

I found out after the bills had already gone to collection that I could have applied at the hospital for financial assistance (which means they just take what medicare pays) when your income is low....like I am on disability......& no money. There are plenty of funds out there that help out for things like that & so do the Dr's.....even in a teaching hospital I am sure.....gotta ask & when You get an answer you don't like....ask some more......sometimes you gotta get even nasty to make they get the point that "THERE ISN'T ANY MONEY".

Just like I told my electric company they were going to force me to rob a bank if they wouldn't work with me on my problem. They finally got the point......didn't help much but at least they didn't shut off my electricity for the 3rd time.

Found out with the patient assistance for the med I am on....I have too much income to qualify under the federal limits......that's all they tell you except that you can appeal......but they don't tell you with what information to appeal with....you have to pry that out of them....it's all a stupid game.....but when you find out....you end up qualifying for all the things they make you think you can't.

Just have to keep after them.....stupid me....I was leaving it up to my husband because I thought he would take care of things financially.....he was useless....I would have been better off caring & fighting the system myself.....some good points on being alone...you know exactly where you stand (or don't stand) financially, & you know that if you don't handle it no one else will.

It's hard when you are struggling with illness to take on fights like that yourself....that is when you need to see what social programs are available hopefully the social workers will be more worthwhile then they were for my Mother......but it's possible...I think my Mother didn't listen to what they had to say & blew them off when I needed to know.

I am sure you can get your bills down to $0 with the right help. I know how frustrating it is & I am sure you feeling up to a battle......so it's best to look for the people who know the answers....but you can't find out if you don't ask & let it be known to everyone involved about the financial situation.

Debbie