No Health Insurance
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Jan 2007
just was cut off ex-wife's health insurance. don't want to go back to paying $500/month,
as i seem fairly healthy. i have a daughter to raise and would rather go old-school and pay a
good health provider when i do get sick (ex-wife still pays insurance for daughter) and will
take my chances with catastropic events. any recommendations for such a provider who would
also tolerate a patient without much use for most traditional medicine? i know that's asking
a lot. we live in central contra costa, but i'd go far, even s.f. if necessary. thanks.
d
Many years ago I paid my doctor cash. My doctor charged the much higher ''retail''
rate to me, not the cheaper negotiated rate that insurance companies pay. In
subsequent records for hospitalizations covered by insurance, I've seen the non-
negotiated rates, like perhaps $10,000/day for a room, knocked down to $1500/
day for the insurance companies. In addition, I've learned some doctors hate cash
payers, because many cash payers never pay their bill at all--at the time I did think
my doctor was curt. So if you can get high-deductible catastrophic coverage or
anything, I'd go for it. At least you will get the negotiated rates (I think but am
not sure). Good luck.
anonymous
I would just like to try and get you to reconsider going without health insurance.
As a single payer w/ no prior health complications ( you said you were fairly
healthy) you should be able to find something for around or less than $200 per month.
I am a very healthy mid 30's woman who had absolutely no health problems AT ALL and
had a hospital stay a few years ago w/ a complication that was completely out of the
blue. To make a long story short, total hospital costs were $200,000 PLUS!
Thankfully we had health insurance and our out of pocket costs were $3000. Unless
you feel you could absorb such an enormous fee (think small fender bender w/ x-
rays or maybe a kidney stone etc.) it is not worth it to go without. Even now as
someone w/ a pre-existing condition (for 18 months or so until an all clear is given)
I can get insurance separte from my family for $300 per month.
Yes insurance seems unnecessary but it is a huge gamble to take with your overall
financial health.
Glad we had it
Most physician offices will take self pay patients. You should
not have a problem making an appointment with any of them. If
you need a recommendation, I suggest the practice in Orinda of
Dr. Mary Sears. I believe it is now called John Muir Medical
Group and while Dr. Sears may not be taking new patients, several
of the associates are and as a physician in the community, I have
been very happy with the care my patients receive at that office.
The number is: (925) 254-9090
I would also like to suggest, however, that health insurance
plans can be inexpensive when you are young and healthy and are
willing to pay a high deductible. Blue shield offers these type
of plans, the premium is low, the deductible is high, but you are
covered for catastrophic occurances like surgery or
hospitalization. Think of it in the same way we think of
homeowners insurance which is significantly less expensive than
health insurance; you use your homeowners insurance for a fire or
robbery, not to change your light bulbs. One of the reasons
health insurance is so expensive is that we expect to pay nothing
or little out of pocket to see the doctor. You pay for that
convenience in huge premiums.
If you need and insurance broker, I can happily recommend Fleming
Associates. They are a father son team and will come to meet
with you at your convenience. (925) 891-3000
Good luck and good health.
Elizabeth L
Dec 2006
Does anyone know where to get a tetnus shot, inexpensive, for
someone without insurance? We just need the shot and do not
want to pay for a physical.
Thanks!
You might try a travel clinic. They provide fee-for-service vaccinations for all kinds
of
diseases. I went to the one at UCSF some years back, but they are all over the Bay
Area. For example, a quick Google search turned up one in Berkeley (http://
doctoragogo.com/) which lists tetanus shots at $35 a pop...
anon
I went to Bayside Family Practice and Travel Medicine in Berkeley
843-4544. They have numerous offices and I got an appointment
right away www.baysidemed.com I did not have to have a physical
and was able to just get the shot. It was a couple years ago, but
I think it was between $45-$65. (I think I had to special order
to get just the Tetanus w/out the Diphtheria-Pertussis mixed in).
I have used them for hep A vaccines as well. You could also try
Planned Parenthood. I know they do Hep A and might do Tetanus too.
I have rarely had health insurance and have found there are some
advantages. You can contact specialists of your choice directly
and don't need a referral. Plus when you mention you will be
paying cash they always have room to see you right away and often
the cost is substantially lower than if they had to bill your
insurance. Also, some doctors will charge you less just because
you ask them to (I mention that I am low income). I found out
that an emergency room in Missouri I went to had a sliding scale!
I've even bartered for services. You never know unless you ask!
Hope this unsolicited advice is useful too.
Cheers,
Lindsey
June 2006
A friend of mine, who is self-employed, got a mammogram before
she signed up to get insurance. The mammogram results showed a
spot even though she cannot feel a lump. We are now worried
that she won't be able to get insurance because companies may
claim a pre-existing condition. We are afraid she will not be
able to pay for treatment. In fact, it took a month for her to
even get an appointment (later this month) to see if she has a
lump and if so, whether or not it is malignant. Any advice
about getting insurance or medical treatment?
worried
People with pre-existing can get health insurance. It's called HIPAA.
Contact an insurance broker to learn more. I've been pleased with my
broker, Dave Rozzi. His administrative assistant is incredibly helpful
and competent: Sonyja Blanson [sblanson@croins.com]. It might be better
to get this before you have a biopsy, if that is the next course. A
biopsy could run you a few thousand dollars. Moving to Canada or an EU
country (I'm only half kidding)is another option.
Good luck!
First, relax...do not jump to any conclusions.
Second... stop eating chocolate and drinking coffee (tea,coke also).
Coffe (tea,coke) and chocolate can cause lumps in some women...two of my
family members as a matter of fact.
Third...One of the constantly recomended cancer treatments that many
local AIDs groups talk about is shark cartilage...since AIDS patients
are under a constant assault and deal with some pretty heavy duty
cancers...the fact that many religously take shark cartilage should be
noted.
Fourth...there is a free womens health care clinic in berkeley I
believe...near the corner of sixth and University
Julie
Hi,
I am a practioner at Highland Hospital in Oakland that provides
healthcare to those with no insurance. There is a great Breast Clinic
there which I am happy to get an appt for your friend.
The county system is difficult to negotiate but ultimately gives great
care. Let me know if you need assistance.
Anne
August 2001
I need to find a good pediatrician or family doctor for my children. We just moved to California, and we don't have insurance. We are trying to get on Medi-Cal but it is taking a while. I think my daughter may have an ear infection. I made an appointment to see a nurse practitioner from Dr. Winokur's office, but it will cost $125 - $165, which is WAY too much for us.Is this a normal price to pay for someone without insurance? Does anyone know of a good doctor (in the Albany/Berkeley area) who is not so expensive? My daughter has had a history of tubes and ear infections and I can't just let this pass in hopes that it will go away, but on the other hand we are really strapped financially.Help!
Josh
Recommendations received:
Gary Bean Berkeley
La Clinica Pediatrics Oakland
Health Families Insurance
West Berkeley Family Practice Berkeley
Other recommendations:
There are many options for un- & underinsured families in California. Know
that you can always go to Alameda County or Berkeley health department
clinics and the financial counselors there will work with you on sliding
scale/payment plan basis. They are providers of last resort (w/ some very
good docs & NPs) and are obligated to serve everyone regardless of ability to
pay. You can go to urgent care tomorrow if need be if she has an ear
infection. Berkeley Health Dept. is 644-6489. A.C. Public Health is
628-7600. Oakland Healthy Start 628-7600.
Cyfloyd
Two suggestions. First, you should make sure you've applied for
Healthy Families as well as Medi-Cal. For program information and an
application, see http://www.healthyfamilies.ca.gov
Second, you may want to contact Bay Area Legal Aid ("BALA") and ask them for
help expediting your Medi-Cal application, based on your child's medical
history. In Alameda County, the phone number for BALA is (510) 663-4744.
In Contra Costa, it's (510) 233-9954. When you first call, be sure to tell
the receptionist that you're calling about your child's urgent health problem
and a pending Medi-Cal application.
Good luck!
Ellern
You probably have already dealt with your daughter's possible ear
infection by now, so I don't know if this will help too much, but
you might want to find out if your MediCal application is retroactive
to the date you applied. If you are fairly certain your children
will qualify for acceptance into the program and coverage is retroactive
to the application date, that might give you some piece of mind
financially.
Another option is to try to get into one of the local public health
clinics around. I'm sure they would charge you much less than a
private practice office. I don't know the names of any off hand but
you might call Children's Hospital in Oakland. I believe they have
an information and referral line.
By the way, if you do not qualify for MediCal you should apply for
the Healthy Families program, which covers low-income families who
make too much to qualify for MediCal. Here is the website with
information on that program: http://www.healthyfamilies.ca.gov/.
Good luck.
Hannah
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