no health insurance...help?

Minuet.......
Yes, do as joe says and contact the ACS! You need to be checked.

Otherwise, most emergency rooms will see pts. regardless of insurance or incomes. I know that the ERs here cannot turn a pt. away.

CR

dmc_emmy said:

Minuet..
Yes, I concur with Joe. The ACS will be your best resource. I wish you well.
dmc

Yes, contact the American
Yes, contact the American Cancer Society and also the Susan B. Komen

foundation. I think both will help you out. Good luck!

chickad52 said:

Don't wait
Yes, Please contact the ACS right away. Thats how I found my cancer by having a lump under my armpit. Please get it checked out right away. My prayers go with you!! Diane

The ACS can help you. Also,
The ACS can help you. Also, a lot of clinics and hospitals take patients with no insurance. So, start calling them and asking. Good luck!

Minuet888 said:

Well I have a little update
Well I have a little update but it isn't good.
I called the ACS and the Susan Komen and unfortunately I don't qualify for a lot of programs.
One problem, I am recently laid off, you would think that would be in my favor but because I made too much in the last "quarter" I do not qualify for some programs.
Here is problem number 2. I am only 31 years old. The majority of programs is for women over 40.
So, I am paying $175 to see my doctor tomorrow morning. I am hoping that by feeling or looking at the lump she would be able to tell me whether or not worry or to proceed with further tests. I have a feeling it will be more tests but maybe she can point me in other directions for help too.

I talked to my grandmother (who had breast cancer) and my mother in law and both are concerned and said I need to get it checked NOW. I am trying not to worry, but naturally it is a concern.

It is just weird to actually see the lump when I raise my arms.

Check into COBRA. Google
Check into COBRA. Google it. It works for some, but, I think you have to keep your insurance after you get laid off or get fired. If you got laid off, you should still have your insurance, right?

Minuet888 said:

We had insurance through my
We had insurance through my husbands work, COBRA costs $2,000 a month to continue coverage...we can't afford that.

Minuet888
The hospital that I go to told me to fill out the form for state help and if I didn't qualify for that then they have a fund set up to help people that either don't have insurance or the co-pays are high.

I am still waiting to here from the state plan here to submit it to the hospital.

I would call the hospital and see if they have something like that or make payment arrangements with them. They can not turn you down for your treatment. Even if you can only pay like $25.00 a month they can't send you to a collection agency.

It is worth a try.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

Margo

Minuet888 said:

well I went to the
well I went to the doctor.
She did a breast exam and felt the lump. The doesn't think it is the breast, she is pretty sure it is the lymph node.
She wants me to meet with the surgeon on Monday or Tuesday, right away.
She said it is better to get it taken care of right away.

She also didn't have anymore suggestions other than the ones I have already tried. So more money more money.

Should I move this over to the lymph node section?

Has anyone had the lymph node or lump removed?
Is it painful? Do they put you completely out or local? In and out procedure?

Thanks!

Have you had a mammogram, a
Have you had a mammogram, a MRI, an ultrasound, a core biopsy, PET scan, any test? You should have had all of those tests, or, I would think some to determine what is where. This doesn't make sense that she has done no tests on you. And, I think all hospitals will allow you to pay whatever you can afford, no matter how little. And, most have some sort of program to help. You just have to inquire into it. Good luck!

Minuet888 said:

Nope just a breast exam. I
Nope just a breast exam. I believe the surgeon in going to do the biopsy/remove it to determine what it is. The lump is visible so they can tell where it is.

Well, that is good that the
Well, that is good that the surgeon will do a biopsy, but, that still doesn't mean that something else isn't there too somewhere else. I am not trying to scare you, but, just a breast exam does not show or tell you that there couldn't be cancer there. That is why you have the tests, to show up cancer when it can't be felt or seen.

My mammogram caught my breast cancer. I had no idea nor did my ob/gyn when she does my yearly exam. I then had an ultrasound and a core biopsy when something suspicious was seen on my mammogram. And, it was breast cancer. So, thank goodness for mammograms!

susie09 said:

All hospitals have some sort
All hospitals have some sort of financial aid program. Just call them and talk to them. And, you called the ACS? They usually can always help anyone too. And, if not, they can put you in touch with someone that can. Luck to you!

No insurance
When I first noticed my lump I had no insurance either. I never signed up at work because honestly I just couldn't afford it, and being that I still had a child under 18 and 3 people to support, I qualified for state paid med-ical.
Then when I discovered the lump I also discovered that my med-ical had been pending for months, and it would take some time for my worker to fix it.
To make a long story short I called my doctor and explained the situation and asked if they could see me anyway and charge me retro-actively, they said yes but that they wouldn't be able to see me for at least 3 weeks, so they could refer me to a place that would probably see me alot sooner.
They also told me that in the meantime they could enroll me into a program that both places would accept and that would cover anything having to do with womens heath care reguarding preveneative or actual cancer treatment. ( breast exam/ PAP smear, etc.)
I was seen in 2 days for an exam (5/15) less than 2 weeks for mammo and ultrasound (5/28)and also less than 2 weeks for biopsy (6/10) after that I was dx'd on 6/12 and scheduled for a surgeons appt 7 days later. All of this was covered through the program. My med-ical kicked in by the time I got to the surgeon, but I've never seen a bill for anything. I'm not sure if I'm going to apply for benefits at work come this November because my surgeom told me that the med-ical would cover everthing they would and the approval wait was practically the same.

I'm in Southern California and if I remember what I read you are in California also. I'll call the place I went to tomorrow and see if I can get the name of the program, maybe you can look into it.
Hope this helps there has to be someplace or something out there to get you the treatment you need and deserve.
Aurora

Zion said:

No Insurance
This organization is in Los Angeles. However, they assist women who have no insurance. They may charge you $25 for a mammogram; but will basically pay for all the tests, biopsies, etc. If you're interested, you can contact: Westside Challenge to Beat Breast Cancer: (310) 319-4471.

My prayers are with you.

Wow Zion, that is great news
Wow Zion, that is great news for her. Thanks for posting that for her!