Congestive heart failure. Insurance got me over the hump and now lets me die slowly.

[Burgman]

Last edited Mon Jan 2, 2012, 05:17 PM - Edit history (1)

Can't afford the copays. I have collection agencies after my ass since the initial stay in the hospital. I gave up on trying to afford prescribed meds a year ago. I have limited income and my insurance is a "gift" from family. Pride stops me from begging for more.

I'm an American and I'm dying because of it.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I am so sorry. It's like this for so many people! *hugs*

[seabeyond]

2. i am sorry. we are in the same boat, with insurance. but

not life and death at this point. just not wanting to take care of things we would otherwise take care of.

we pay for insurance. yet, we dont use what there is cause it will cost so much more.

i hope options come your way.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

3. I am so sorry. It's unconscionable. We need to change this system, and fast. Too many people

(like you) are suffering. Perhaps we could start some sort of letter-writing campaign on your behalf? Does anyone out there have ideas?

[Odin2005]

4. Oh no!!!

[pinto]

5. Are there any public (federal, state, local) health care programs you can access?

Many hospitals have a "benefits rep" to help look for options. Local Health Department may be able to provide some leads, as well. I'd guess the American Heart Association has a resource list also.

It can be a slog to wade through it all, I know. Encourage you to hang in there. Take care.

~ pinto

[tblue]

6. Hang on!

Where are you?

Let us put on our thinking caps. Write back, sweetie.

[DevonRex]

7. You mean congestive, right?

Sending good vibes.

[haele]

13. If the poster is still fairly young and reasonably healthy, it's probably congenital.

My very active father had a congentital heart problem (one of his main arterial valves was faulty) and was diagnosed with it at the age of 61, but he was lucky - retired Navy reservist with Tri-Care as well as employed as a teacher with full benefits, so when he was diagnosed, he was able to get sufficient care to keep him going another 14 years with a reasonable quality of life between his work benefits and after his retirement, Tri-Care. He should have died nine years ago,but he was able to keep going well enough to take a trip to Japan and China in 2010. It was a stroke - he had a regular annual procedure that required he be off his blood thinners for two weeks - that killed him.

With the proper care, which might include surguries, a pacemaker as well as diet and regular visits and medication, the poster could easily live another 20 to 40 fairly productive years and the ability to still support himself and his dependents. But without the right type of attention and medical care, the poster may be able to hang on a few more years, but they're going to be careful (no work - which usually means no income), stressful and painful - and very expensive if he wants to have any quality of life.
As for medication - many of the Big Pharma companies have "reduced cost" prescription plans that they use as a tax write-off; perhaps the poster can qualify for some of those programs. Many hospitals and clinics have connections with state assisstance or their own assistance programs that might provide a lower cost suppliment; the poster should check with the hospital to see what is available for him.
If he's lucky, he might get SSDI soon. If not, it's going to be a short, tough, miserable bankruptcy-inducing slog.
I'm sorry. Single payer would really help the poster. That his co-pays are over what he can pay and keeps him from getting the medical treatment he deserves is unconscionable.

Haele

[Burgman]

45. I feel so much better now.

(LOL)

[haele]

56. Sorry. I hope the hospital and the drug companies will work with you.

I'm just such a clinical bitch sometimes. I'm struggling to pay for everything even with the pretty decent health insurance we have because of some ongoing and some new health issues in my family, but it's nothing like what you're going through.
If the person providing your insurance doesn't mind, could you work with them to shop for a comparably priced policy through the government for pre-existing conditions that could better cover you? Health insurance is rather like resumes; you always need to shop around for something that fits as your life changes.

?

Haele
(Check your PM)

[dawg]

8. My little problems pale compared to yours, but our healthcare system really sucks.

Both my children have pre-existing conditions, one of which (autism spectrum disorder) was often not covered anyway due to it being "mental" or the treatments being considered "therapy". After losing a job and facing a horrible period of not being able to get them covered at all, I finally got Blue Cross to take them with a $10,000 a year deductible (and exclusions for the conditions, of course).

Medical expenses have burdened my family without mercy for the last fifteen years. I don't make *all* that much, but it hasn't been unusual for me to have $10,000 or more in out-of-pocket expenses in a given year.

That places a huge limit on how much money is available for other things. I had to be really miserly about lots of things that I would rather have said yes to. It may even have contributed some to the breakup of my marriage. I don't know. (I don't know what was going through her head, really).

But I'm one of the lucky ones. I found a way to afford it all.

The problem, IMHO, is that a majority of the people who still have good insurance (or just good health) do not give a shit about anyone else. They aren't willing to accept that their premiums or taxes might have to go up - even just a little bit - to help someone else. They say stupid things like, "Why don't you just get a job that has good insurance?" And after they say this, I try really hard not to puch them in the face. I mostly succeed.

No American should be put in the situation you have been placed in.

Not one.

[seabeyond]

10. mine is 15k. it is hmo. i have an account to draw out of.

but both boys need xrays for different things. a couple thousand here, a couple thousand there.

amazing.

i tell them, give time to heal.

what else is the doctor gonna say. and doctors are too willing to run tests instead of say, hey.... just gonna take time.

i dont know.

[still_one]

9. if you can wait 6 months you can get coverage through the hcr for preexisting

Conditions, unfotunately it most likely isn't that affordable

I blame the Obama administration. And blue dogs in congress for their half asses health care reform which helps some, but leaves a lot more in a precarious position

These freaks in government should be in the same position as those in our society that need it the most

I wish you all the best, and hope you get the care you need. Maybe there are "free clinics" that can help you

[Irishonly]

11. I am sorry Burgman

Too many people cannot afford the co-pays anymore. I know when I am told I need a test the anount of the co-pay determines when and if I get it. So many people think if you have insurance then all of your problems will be over. They forget about pre-existing conditions, high co-pays and caps. It isn't right and we need to elect officials that see the plight of citizens and not the all mighty dollar.

[WingDinger]

12. Get your fucking meds. they can be had for 10 bucks per three month supply. go to sliding scale doc.

I do too. and it will kill you, if you shun yourmeds.

[Burgman]

14. If it's a choice between meds and food...

Food wins.

[WingDinger]

19. Then stop paying ins. Use that to get your meds. Get on CMS. Whatever it takes. When you are dead, f

food is useless. So are the meds. I understadn how conditions can cause us to think short sightedly.

Also, get a lawyer for SSDI. It will take three tries. And they are hoping within that time, you will give up on life, stop your meds, or commit an act that will get you treatment{prison}.

The system is like the kindred redeemer system of Judaism. If you cant find a family sponser, society is prolly better off without you. They intend you to have to beg for your survival.

[Burgman]

21. What is CMS?

[WingDinger]

23. County Medical Services. For the indigent. You need to start planning your indigence.

[tishaLA]

47. My CHF meds cost $20 for a 3 month supply

that's for carvidilol (25 mg BID), benazepril (40 mg/day). You can get a Dr who will write an Rx for a year's worth of meds if you've been stable

[REP]

46. Lasix (furosemide), the most common Rx for CHF, is dirt cheap

I take a lot of it (240 mg/day) to prevent CHF. That's 600 pills/100 days; full price for generic would be around $24.00.

[Burgman]

18. I wish I could,

Making the little I make and after paying 25% on the 12k I make there isn't that much left.

[WingDinger]

22. Then get state dis. Then CMS.

As objectionable as it is, also, look into sharing housing with a relative. Usually they would prefer you alive.

[sasha031]

15. if your low income you should qualify for Medicaid

they can't let you go without your medication. Surely there must be something available in your State. Have you spoken to the hospital, they must have a financial services department.

[eShirl]

20. some states require more than just a low income

my state was like that until a few years ago...

[Cleita]

16. Don't give up.

Give the churches a try. Sometimes they do help. Don't worry about begging. It's their Christian duty after all. I hope you find a way through this.

[Mac1949]

17. I sympathize completely. Wish I could help somehow, but I'm in a similar bind myself.

I have congestive heart failure and should be on blood thinners BUT the doctor won't give me a prescription without a monthly office visit and blood work. Even at the lowest cost I can find I can't afford the doctor, labs and meds every month. Making do with low dose aspirin. And there are those far worse off than I. We need universal health care

[Burgman]

32. That's pretty much where I'm at today.

Last edited Tue Jan 3, 2012, 12:21 AM - Edit history (1)

Sucks, doesn't it?

[Mac1949]

42. Yeah, it does. But hang in there, brother.

Somebody's got to keep being a pain in the ass to Republicans, and if not us, who?

[FarPoint]

24. What meds are you on that you can't afford?

Does your physician know you cannot afford some of the prescription medicine? Congestive Failure does not typically require designer drugs to treat the condition. Diet plays a huge role in management.

[Mac1949]

41. It isn't so much the cost of the drugs, although when you have a raft of prescriptions as I do

or should, anyway, it can quickly snow you under. It's more the monthly doctor visit, coupled with the blood tests that are required. Each of these by themselves I might be able to swing, but put all together, no way. To be fair and open, I should admit to a raft of other health problems- pancreatitis, high cholesterol, impaired lung capacity, bum knee, etc. I am currently unemployed and am limited by these problems as to what I would be capable of doing. No unemployment, and everything else I've applied for, except for food stamps, I am ineligible for various reasons. There is a free clinic in the area, but they are not set up for chronic problems, and have had to turn people away because of lack of funding. Anyway, I don't feel right competing with children, pregnant women, etc. for limited resources.

Having explained (though there is much I didn't say), I have to add that, for the moment I'm OK. I'm not homeless, thanks to friends;
I'm controlling my diet as best I can on limited resources; and I'm still searching for a way back into the ranks of the wage earners.
I'll survive. And thank you for your kind thoughts.

[DevonRex]

25. GO TO: HRSA.gov. Then click on Find a Health Center.

The health center will prescribe your meds and you fill them at a 340b participating pharmacy.

I hope this helps.

[DevonRex]

27. ^^^^^^Go there^^^^^^

[Lionessa]

26. Damn, too bad that Obamacare is more of an insurance giveaway than a healthcare solution.

Recently this site seemed to be peppered with "Obamacare saved my life" type of threads, but just the same as before, the system serves some but not others. We need

UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE! not universal health insurance.

[cstanleytech]

30. Universal Heath Care doesnt stand a chance while the republicans control

enough of either house to cause more problems like they have been doing.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

37. Republicans Kill.

That should be part of the Dem message.

[cstanleytech]

40. I'm sure it will be in some form

though hammering the republicans on the economy since its the most pressing concern for most people might make more sense as well as hammering even harder that the current problems wouldnt be so bad if the republicans hadnt been the party of "No" when it came to things that might have helped most americans and "Yes" when it came to protecting millionaires.

[bvar22]

48. It didn't stand a chane when the "DEMOCRATS" controlled the House & Senate.

!





You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.
[font size=5 color=green][center]Solidarity99![/font][font size=2 color=green]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/center]

[Karmadillo]

28. Go to your local legal services or community action office. Someone there will be well-versed

in how to help guide you tthrough the process of getting help from medical assistance and any other relevant programs. Additionally, legal services can give you advice on how to deal with collection agencies and how to declare bankruptcy if that's necessary.

[roguevalley]

29. there are no words. i am so sorry.

[riverwalker]

31. what meds are you on?

I hate Walmart, but they have most common meds for $4 bucks for 30 days supply. List is here http://www.walmart.com/cp/PI-4-Prescriptions/1078664 . If it's basic first line CHF meds like Lasix, digoxin, coreg, etc., they may be available. You need your meds, or it will just get worse. CHF is never really cured, just managed.

[Liquorice]

57. In most cases it is true that it is never cured, BUT I was cured

of it. It depends on why you develop CHF. I developed it a few years ago at 37 years old and was hospitalized with moderate CHF. It was idiopathic, and they never figured out why it happened. Sometimes people can catch a passing virus that attacks the heart, and that is what they suspect happened with me. Anyway, within a few months my heart function returned to near normal and I now have above normal heart function and my cardiologist said I have virtually no change of recurrance. I am a rare case, but it does happen. The heart can return to normal function.

The drug, carvedilol (Coreg), is definitely saving lives and strengthening the heart muscle for so many people. I am now only on a small dose of it and an ACE inhibitor, but it is just a precaution. I will probably eventually be off all medicines for it.

You're right about Walmart. That's where I get my medicine, and it's super cheap.

[barbtries]

33. omigawd i'm so sorry.

too many of us. know you are not alone. ask your doctor if there is a cheaper option on the meds. there may be. ask for samples the office may have them.
and screw pride! people want to help. reach out.

[Yo_Mama]

34. What state are you in?

There has got to be something if we look hard enough.

And what are your prescribed meds?

[Burgman]

35. pravastatin, lisonopril, carvedilol, lanoxin and a generic aldactone.

I'm in AL. But my dogs are well fed.

[Yo_Mama]

39. Thank you for answering

May I have the dosages, please? County of residence?

Most of those are pretty cheap.

Please look at this list of free medical clinics in Alabama:
http://www.freemedicalcamps.com/vcity.php?stateid=AL

Is there one near you?

LOL. Been there with not buying medicines for myself, but yes, my dogs always ate well. But then, they are(were) country dogs. One of 'em likes corn right out of the field.

PS: Also look into ALFA, which you can get with an AFF membership.
https://www.alfains.com/html/Products_Health_Overview.html
http://www.alfafarmers.org/

[Burgman]

43. Lanoxin, .25mg, Pravastayin, 20mg, Lisoinopril 5mg, Carvedlol 3.125 mg Spironololactone 25mg

A fistfull at least.

[workinclasszero]

36. Sorry to hear that, I'm right there with you

I was rushed to the hospital over a year ago with chest pains. Blood vessels around heart were at least 70% blocked with cholesterol.

Yay meat! One was 95% blocked! So they put a stint in it. After I got out I also couldn't come up with the copay either and got collection agency's slapped on my ass as well. I pay two of them now. It will take a good two years to pay them off so no $$$ for my meds either, stopped them months ago.

Later on I was supposed to get a colon check and I developed bleeding in my gut which made me sick and dizzy. Went to see a gastro doc and the fuckin ins wouldn't even cover the consult so I said to hell with it and let it ride.

In the meantime our lousy health ins copay is now 4000 dollars a year for singles and 8000 dollars for a family! And if u manage to meet that outrageous BS then they only cover 80% of the bill!

Hell the copay went up 2000 dollars in one year, I expect it to be 8 to 10000 dollars next year when I just drop it cause whats the point? Oh and I work in a job that does not allow u to go bankrupt. So when it happens Im out of work at almost age 60.

Only thing I can do now is be a total vegetarian and hope it clears up my veins. I think its working, I haven't had any chest pains in a couple months with no meds either.

That and prayer. I just sit around and wonder what I'm going to do the next time I have a health emergency.

Pray for a quick death I guess, you know the republican healthcare plan for non rich people! This country is soo damned evil now.

The rich bastards who destroyed it for the 99% are going to pay for it someday, mark my words!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

38. I wish I had a way to fix it for you.

some people here did offer substantive suggestions.....

[Bozita]

44. Over half of the USA personal bankruptcies involved medical costs and folks WITH HEALTH INSURANCE

Last edited Tue Jan 3, 2012, 01:12 AM - Edit history (1)

Not so amazing when you talk to real people.

This shit's gotta stop!

There's gotta be a way to find some help for you, Burgman!

[bvar22]

50. And THAT hasn't changed.

Even after ALL the provisions of the Affordable Health Care Act are enacted in 2014,
Medical Bankruptcy will STILL be Big Business in the USA,
perhaps even BIGGER as MILLIONS try to access Health Care with their Junk "Bronze" Policies.

"Medical Bankruptcy" is a term that is unknown in civilized countries.

Thank You for this "Uniquely American Solution."





You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.
[font size=5 color=green][center]Solidarity99![/font][font size=2 color=green]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[/center]

[Prophet 451]

52. I never heard the term until I talked to Americans

I'm British. We have the NHS here and while it's not perfect by any means, it does mean that no-one goes bankrupt affording care. I did an account of what the NHS is like from a user perspective a couple of years back but I think it might have gotten lost in the transition to DU3.

[thecrow]

49. Have you changed your diet?

It won't make as big a change as the meds, but it may make some changes, or help relieve you until you get neducal help.
There are web sites specifically for CHF patients that tells you exactly what to eat and how much.
Everybody should cut out salt from their diet, and eat mostly vegetables and fruits, low or no fat, and restrict caloric intake.
Beans are your new best friend. Seriously.
I had to change my father's diet because my mother was starving him for proteins, and not letting him
eat enough vegetables. I baked him salt free bread because most commercial bread (as well as any processed food) is LOADED with salt.
He had CHF for years and years; he recently died of natural causes at age 90.

[Burgman]

53. Yes. No to little salt, low fat.

Would eat more fruits and veggies if I could.

[Prophet 451]

51. I'm so sorry, dude

I wish you guys over there had something similar to the NHS we have here (UK). It's not perfect but it's a hell of a lot better than what you have right now.

[a2liberal]

54. I'm so sorry

I would suggest giving up the pride though. I mean this in the nicest way possible. What good does pride do you if you're dead?

Also, check pm in a few minutes

[GeorgeGist]

55. Hold on ...

Obamacare is coming.