|
I wanna start by saying that i am very ignorant when it comes to things about the hospital and u guys might even think this is a stupid question. Anyways, my family is kinda poor so no one in my family has health insurance except my brother(I used to have it but medicare isn't given to me once I hit 18 years old). In my lifetime, I've only been to the doctor like once or twice or a bit more to get a physical. I've never had regular checkups with the doctor and I asked around and heard that it costs alot to make a sudden one time checkup with the doctor if u dont have insurance.
Recently(like 3 days ago)I had a very hard time breathing but even before this I sometimes had trobule breathing sometimes. It's not weezing or a pain in my chest, i just have a hard time breathing. Sometimes I think it's all in my mind because when im doing something else like watching a movie or tv or playing starcraft or reading teamliquid, I am fine but when i start to focus on my breathing and heart, I start getting super nervous like im gonna die and the breathing problem starts then. So basically only if i actualy focus on it, it happens.
So my question is I'm trying to make an appointment with the doctor to get this checked. Will going directly to the hospital get me the checkup right then at that day? Will they make me wait days or weeks if i do it over the phone like making an appointment? Cuz I just wanna get this checked..i don't actually have a "problem" or an "injury" yet that i know about so wouldn't they make me wait for others who actually have an injury or problem?
|
I'm not certain how it is around the country but my mom is a nurse practitioner at a medical practice of general internists (the kind of doctors you would probably see for an initial appointment) and they leave slots open throughout the day and if you just give a call you can have an appointment within a few days or even later that day on occasion. However, not belonging to an actual medical practice or having a doctor i'm not sure how it would work with your medical history files and also the stuff you might have to do as a first time person.
|
I am confused, you are over 18 or under?? This information could help me help you.
|
He's over 18, I think he worded it fairly clearly.
|
On June 26 2008 13:12 UmmTheHobo wrote: I am confused, you are over 18 or under?? This information could help me help you. I'm exactly 18
|
DO NOT GO TO HOSPITAL. Hospitals cost a shit load of money. Go to a random doctors office and be like "Hey, I don't have much money, don't have insurance but am concerned with my body, how can I get help?"
EDIT: actually do not go to a random one, ask around and find a good one :D
|
United States22883 Posts
If you go to a clinic, you'll probably be seen but you'll have to wait in line.
Since it won't be your personal doctor, I don't think you'd be able to go into a regular doctor's office on a normal day and be seen.
Also, I think it's cheaper to pay in cash but I could be wrong. Doctors can negotiate their fees, and I think most do for people without insurance. If an insurance company is paying, then they always want the full payment.
|
from what my very very limited pre-pre-premed background tells me, you seem to have either
a) asthma attacks b) a bronchial infection c) some psychological disease that i know nothing about (but its probably very minor) d) possibly early or a weaker form of pneumonia
if you go to the right hospital you can usually get away without paying anything if u go to emergency room b/c the state usually pays for it. that being said if you do that i will be pissed because thats my tax money
Your best bet is to do a walk-in visit at some rather unbusy doctor's office, and the most expensive part is medicine, the actual visit isn't that bad. However if you're having some serious trouble go to the ER immediately.
|
Go through the ER. I know when I work in the ER if a patient doesn't have insurance we give them a financial assistance form in which the Hospital may help with up to 50% of the cost etc.
|
|
Come live with me in canada!
|
|
|
|