Have You Skipped Medical Treatment Because of Expense?

July 25, 2008

In his article for The Wall Street Journal, Dr. Benjamin Brewer says that because of affordability issues, he's noticing fewer patients asking for elective procedures, scheduling preventive exams, and filling their prescriptions. Have you neglected anything related to your health because it was too expensive?

Source

29 Comments

Megatron 4 years 42 weeks

I have a similar situation to Mondaymoos. I don't have dental insurance at all. So the dentist is kind of out of the question until I get a real job with dental.

bellaressa 4 years 42 weeks

Yes, it was during a time I didn't have health insurance through my job it was a small company and they didn't offer it and I couldn't afford an individual plan from insurance companies. I didn't go to the doctors for some years. I just prayed real hard that I didn't slip in fall in the snow or ice and I really hope that I didn't need anything that would put me in the hospital. I was very happy that I didn't have to take any prescriptions. I hated when I would get ear infections, sometimes they go away with homeopathic remedies but sometimes you really need antibiotics.

gigill 4 years 42 weeks

Wow, these health care stories about costs are horrible! I'm so glad I've lived in the Canada/UK where it's socialized health care. Today I picked up my birth control (which I paid hundreds of $$$ for in Canada for a year's supply when I didn't have benefits from work/school) and guess how much it costs in the UK? Nothing. Zip, nada, zero. I'm blown away by this!

TidalWave 4 years 42 weeks

If I had socialized healthcare I would be at the doctor every other day just so my ridiculous taxes weren't going to waste. I would much rather pay per-visit!

Spectra 4 years 42 weeks

Most of the time, I don't worry about cost when it comes to getting treatment, but at my last physical, my doctor wanted me to get a DEXA bone scan to get a baseline bone density because osteoporosis runs in my family. Problem is, my insurance only covers one bone scan per LIFETIME. So, I figured I should wait til later on in life to get it done...when I'm more at risk for having problems.

ivygreene 4 years 42 weeks

yes, I definitely have had to forgo treatment because of the cost, even with medical insurance and financial aid. Once while I was hospitalized because of a gallbladder attack I had to beg to be released from the hospital early, because I knew I couldn't afford the whole hospital stay. I ended up having to move in with friends because the medical bills where so high I couldn't afford my apartment. We need a better health care system here in the US!!!

GeriAnne1932 4 years 42 weeks

A few years ago, I was doing an internship and could barely afford rent, let alone insurance...but then I got really bad pneumonia and after weeks, I forced myself to go to the emergency room. People who are in that situation should know that there is a thing called CHARITY CARE which hospitals will subsidize either part or all of your medical bill if you are struggling financially. It's based off of taxes and income levels...and it really helped me avoid a $5,000 bill. If you need something taken care of and are unsure, go to your hospitals website. They often list if they offer it...most non-profit hosptials do this...some of the medical organizations do not. Mind you, this is not intended for the minor mole removal, but if you are truly sick and you cannot NOT go to the doctor, you do have ways of getting help.

jennjennnbubba 4 years 42 weeks

when I had insurance - no, I may have put it off a few times but never just not went. however, now that I am insurance-less, I simply can't afford it. It is totally outrageous and the facilities act as if ppl just walk around with $600 bucks to pay to a DR driving a Porsche to look at my sinus cavity and prescribe nothing more than a souped up version of Aleve cold & Sinus meds.

lawchick 4 years 42 weeks

sanriano I know what you mean. my annual gyn visit is the only thing I don't skip, and that's because I need it to get my birth control rx. it costs like $500 for the visit, but I figure that's a lot cheaper than having a baby! I have HORRIBLE insurance ($5000 deductible - yes, seriously, no dental, no vision. My husband has NONE, and so we go out of our way to play it safe. however, he got in a bad car accident last year. his car insurance paid $1000 towards his medical bills, but we still had to pay a few thousand out of pocket (he went to the ER and had minor surgery). it SUCKED. we actually got my dad, who is a retired/disabled doctor, to take out the stitches so we didn't have to pay for another dr visit.

sanriano 4 years 42 weeks

Since graduating college, I haven't had health insurance. I had to skip my annual gyno exam, my q6 month dental exam, and physical. Now that I'm working with benefits, I still have to wait at least 3 months til they kick in. I'm sure my eyes have gone worse and I will dread going to the dentist even more. I was bummed I missed out on snowboarding last winter, but I guess it's a good thing in case I got injured...otherwise, I would've been screwed with medical bills. Also, I didn't get to go jet-skiing 'coz jet-skis didn't have much power to run...another good thing 'coz there were mad jellyfishes in the bay. If I got attacked, I'd be done. Until my health insurance comes thru, I'm gonna have to play it safe.

JennaV 4 years 42 weeks

I have had REALLY good insurance (with both jobs)for the past 10 years or so and before that I was on my mom's policy since I was a college student and under 23. But yeah, if it wasn;t for that...I could see this happening to me. It's really scary how many people this happens to.

rowlkitty 4 years 42 weeks

Last year I got really sick, I could barely get out of bed to go to work and class. Luckily at school we get a certain amount of free doctors visits but I still had to pay for the tests and medications. It turned out to be mono and I was laid up for two months barely making it to class and not going to work, therefore not making any money. A couple weeks after I got better I got sick again and the doctor wanted to do more tests but I still having trouble paying off the first ones so I just waited it out and eventually I got better.

bransugar79 4 years 42 weeks

I've totally had to skip medical issues because of cost. When I was a kid my dad had awesome insurance we had an HMO so it was really easy no finding a doctor no guessingat which charges are covered and which ones are not. I was pretty healthy but I still had to get check ups tonsils out stuff like that. Now that I am working and have my own insurance it's a nightmare. From picking out a doctor to figuring out what is covered and what isn't to paying a co-pay and then getting another bill months later for God knows what it's too much. And what really sucks is that my employer doesn't offer a choice of companies we all just have the one option either get it or don't.

fleurfairy 4 years 42 weeks

When I was in between jobs I didn't have health insurance coverage. So yes.

faerymagick15 4 years 42 weeks

Luckily I have $0 co pay insurance and everything is covered. My husband has very low co pay insurance and most everything is covered. We only pay about $300 a month for family coverage (family of 4). It is an HMO, but it is a good one. I haven't had any problems yet. Years ago, I did put off medical visits though, when we didn't have coverage or were between coverage. But never ffor the kids...I always made sure they were covered even if I had to rely on the state insurance program which still cost me $240 a month for 2 kids.

sweetpeabrina 4 years 42 weeks

I definitely have! My copay just went up to $30 and they don't cover a lot of prescriptions. I had about $600 in bills after a surgery. My vision insurance is virtually non-existant. It's $25 for the exam and I get $100 allowance for contacts or frames. That's only a 3 and a half month supply of contacts. Or a third of the cost of glasses (I have poor eyesight). Dental just plain sucks. I rarely go because of this. I can't imagine how people who have no insurance do it.

Hoaxerz 4 years 42 weeks

I broke a rib last year, but couldn't afford to get it checked out. It healed, but there's still a bump where it broke.

gemsera 4 years 42 weeks

Back home I didnt see a dentist for YEARS because of the cost, i simply did not have the money (was barely eating let alone spending). When I finally went the bill was huge but I paid it off and go back every year now. But doctors are free :D I couldnt imagine them not being free. I came to the UK and four days later was in hospital having an operation for free. the best part was not worrying how i was going to pay the bill.

bleached 4 years 42 weeks

Canadian :) Socialized health care

cravinsugar 4 years 42 weeks

Hey mondaymoos...i used to have BCBS dental and then my company switched to metflie, which my dentist doesn't accept. they are real cool about it though, and allow me to pay off my bills as i can. most places will set up payment plans with you.

mondaymoos 4 years 42 weeks

My biggest issue is dental insurance, actually. My medical insurance has me covered pretty well, but dental is just disappointing. :( And I need some work done on my teeth.

cravinsugar 4 years 42 weeks

Even when I haven't had medical insurance, I never neglected to go to the doctor. No expense is worth risking my health.

karisaamy 4 years 42 weeks

I actaully just went to the Dr. earlier this week for an issue with my hand. I have ok insurance, I paid a $20 copay.

MartiniLush 4 years 42 weeks

GlowingMoon, I am the same as you - I have excellent insurance, but it mostly goes unused.

GlowingMoon 4 years 42 weeks

No, fortunately, we have excellent medical insurance. I have a terrific family doctor who I've seen for over ten years. The irony is that I'm in excellent health. I visit the doctor once a year for annual check-ups. My medical insurance is largely unused.

Link Love

29 Comments

You Might Also Like