I got a letter in the mail about COBRA when I left my last job.
I didn't even open it. I don't have an extra $2K a month lying around.
27
u/CarefulAdvice3739
Ice, Advil and a knee brace helped me get through a torn meniscus for over a year..... Even with surgery these injuries take time to heal up.
20
u/Infinite-Ask-7285
Did you tweak it on the job? Like wink wink did you say do it that same week?
And I could not agree more about Cobra. WTF is the point with that shit. Good luck to you. I do not pray, but I will think of you.
16
u/FatCowsrus413
Check with Medicaid. You’re unemployed before you start your new job. You may be able to get emergency coverage
5
u/TrueMeaning4241
It does seem like a joke to pay high prices every month so that in the off chance that you get hurt you don’t have to pay even higher prices on the bill to get better.❤️🩹
4
u/WorkingCollection562
Where do you live? You can try Mexico? They have cheaper health care options and I would argue sometimes better
4
u/Biteme75
I injured my back at work but didn't claim it in time. Apparently, you have to tell them you're injured when you still think it might be a pulled muscle, or you're lying. Fortunately I had private health insurance at the time or I would still be in debt.
I no longer have health insurance because it's become three times as expensive in the last year. If anything happens to me now, I'm f*cked.
3
u/Ill_Lifeguard6321
What do you mean?! I love that my healthcare companies are making billions and billions upon the death of my American brothers and sisters! Trickle down economics am I right! /s
3
u/Mental_Signature_725
My neighbor tore her knee up a few weeks ago. Her self pay for an mri was $300. Thats cheaper than my insurance co pay. The doctor agreed to do the surgery for $1590 cash self pay. Start calling and asking you might find its cheap to self pay.
3
u/sjayvee
Hospital has to treat you even if uninsured. They should have a program where they will help you apply for Medicaid if you’re uninsured. But yes, healthcare in America is seriously broken.
2
u/Rarely_Informative
[removed]
1
u/climbing_butterfly
Marketplace?
1
u/PNW_OlLady_2025
Go the drug store, get a knee brace, some ibuprofen and ice packs. If it's your PCL or ACL you can you walk it on it for a good long time without doing any more damage, just give it the extra support it needs. Surgery is not always the answer for these, especially if you aren't an athlete or laborer of any kind. As for our insurance being a joke, I mean, that 3 month wait you'd have for that MRI in the UK or Canada is about the same time you'll wait for your new insurance to kick in. Or, now hear me out, get a job with a better company who's health insurance kicks in on Day 1.
1
u/No-Firefighter3283
I grew up with great National Health care. Did not pay for anything ever, not even medications. Moved to the US and all was good while I was younger, then 2 c-sections and a serious hospital stay forced us to file for bankruptcy. 2 professionals with good jobs and between healthcare bills and daycare, we just couldn’t do it! The fact that US healthcare is tied to employment is insane and I’ve no idea when this became a thing. I knew someone whose teen daughter has serious health needs and was on his work’s health insurance. He could not move up the ladder in his career at the time because her pre-conditions would have prevented her getting any healthcare if he took a better position at another company. Then there are the jobs where the insurance covers very little but the employees premium is still high. The worst is zero hour contracts to avoid having to offer healthcare to employees, which is just diabolical! The thing is, a healthcare for all situation would actually cost us less in taxes than the premiums and out of pocket expenses. But, Republicans especially get donations from private health insurance companies, drug companies etc, to keep us all fearful of universal care, so they can keep counting the gold in their vaults. Growing up with free care, the lies politicians spew to scare us, makes me sick, so many suffering for the very few at the top to make bank.
1
u/piranha_
Yeah…😕 You’re doing everything “right” and still stuck choosing between your health and your finances, which is insane. A lot of people end up in that exact gap period between jobs where coverage just disappears. One thing that might be worth looking into if you haven’t already is calling imaging centers directly because some offer cash or self pay rates for MRIs that are way lower than expected if you ask upfront, same with ortho consults where they can at least get you a diagnosis or plan without blowing up your budget. Not a perfect solution at all but it can at least help you get clarity instead of just guessing and hoping it heals. That situation sucks though man
1
u/whoocanitbenow
I pay 170.00 per month. I have to pay 100% out of pocket until I reach 7200, then my insurance actually kicks in.
1
u/Sunny-Damn
In my state we have a “spend down”… maybe yours does too. If you rack up medical bills, in your name, and they exceed 25% of your annual income, the state will pay the bills (only retroactive for 6 months) and give you health insurance for six months. It might be worth looking into… MRI’s are not cheap…
This is what paid for a stroke, a heart attack, 3 leg amputations, a finger amputation, and a rod placed in a spine in my family. We’re chronically uninsured.
1
u/purplepeopletreater
Can you apply for Medicaid?
How much is it to pay for the MRI and PT out of pocket? Call around and find out what the self-pay rate or discount is.
I would not recommend just walking around on anything torn. It could cause you permanent problems.
1
u/[deleted]
Sure is a fucking joke.
1
u/OkInvestigator7893
i'm so sorry you are going through this. i'm self-employed & the only insurance i can afford covers nothing. i haven't had a primary care physician in years because i kept getting on someone's waitlist and then they'd leave the practice before i ever got a first visit.
i've accepted that i have medieval peasant care at this point: if it's bad enough to kill me then i guess i'll just die, otherwise i'm figuring out home remedies and self-medicating as best i can. luckily i don't have any family or dependents, i don't know how i'd navigate this horrible system with kids.
1
u/PlatypusMajor3032
Unfortunately it will not get better, only worse, especially under this administration.
1
u/Banana_Phone888
Ah don’t forget the weight gain that comes with limited activity, I know that one far too well. I’m sorry that you are going through this. With insurance I can’t afford to go to the doctor, it’s still 300-500.00 a visit without any kind of procedures, but u can’t imagine the cost without. I hope you feel better soon ❤️
1
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