I am so torn up in my heart right now. Yesterday, I took Angelo to the ped to check a boil that got infected on the backside of his right leg...by where his diaper gusset is. Will be fine...need to hot pack and was given antibiotics (still debating using them as boil has been draining for 12 or so hours)

Thinking the visit was over, the ped asked if it would be ok to do a physical of sorts since he hasn't been in ever in 2 years and to save money since we were already paying for this visit. I said sure.

He found that Angelo's left hip may not be forming correctly :( It is very loose and seems to not be in the socket :crying While it causes Angelo no pain that we are aware of, he may need a brace/splint and ortho care/physical therapy :crying

We were sent to Children's Hospital for special xrays.

We find out today the results.

We have no health insurance. We have had difficulties due to self employment getting Minnesota Care....though in theory the process should be an easy on :(

While at hospital, I went to fill his prescription at hospital pharmacy. They told me not to fill it there as they did not have low prices. Said I would be better of filling at drug store. I was grateful they let me know.........

But now I am angry! Why would insurance be charged such a high price to begin with???? It THAT why I can not afford insurance???

On top of this:

Dh was at hospital with severe hip pain (could not walk) THey though it may be a form of arthritis, but xrays looked clear. We still need to figure out a care route for him to insure his health (is going to chiro 3x a week right now)

I have major issues with both of my elbows. I may need surgery on both. One I think I tore something in Jan 06 when grabbing my dogs collar. The other has started hurting with same symptoms as left elbow since Mylee was born in Nov.

We were in a car accident with a friend of ours 2 weeks ago. Back door of their pacifica needs to be fully replaced.

Now this with Angelo :crying

I want to be healthy. I want to not feel that we are one medical emergency away from lossing everything :crying

I am so frustrated right now..............

Off to call ped for results.

:hug Thank you for listening :(

Talked to ped and this staff is contacting the hospital right now. He will call me when they have the results.

:hug That is so hard. Does your state have supplemental insurance for kids? Here in PA we have something called CHIP, and no child can be denied.

:hug I'm so sorry AngelBee. Up here we have health insurance, it's insane to me that you don't. I hope you find out a way to fix the problem. Could you call a political representative for your area to get their help?

:hug I'm so sorry AngelBee. Up here we have health insurance, it's insane to me that you don't. I hope you find out a way to fix the problem. Could you call a political representative for your area to get their help?

Maybe.

Do you like having universal care? (not sure if that is what it is called there :innocent )

I was leary about having insurance "gov controlled" Like my choices for alternative care would be limited. Now I am not sure......

:hug That is so hard. Does your state have supplemental insurance for kids? Here in PA we have something called CHIP, and no child can be denied.
I will look into it. I am not sure. I thought there was a policy that any child under 18 was suppose to be insured.

Long term physical therapy will be so expensive :(

A lot of babies have hip issues, though. I know my mom says I did, and she just had to double up on my dipes. I have no idea what that's called though. :shrug I think it has something to do with the hormone that relaxes Mama's hips and pelvic region to give birth also getting into the baby?

Ok....recieved a call.

Joint looks good, but shenton's line is disrupted ???

Possible neuro muscular disorder :( :crying I am crying right now.......not even sure what that all means but is sounds worse then what we were facing :bawl

I'm so sorry you're going through this. We have medical insurance, and still can't afford our medical care. The medical situation in this country is abhorrent, and I have no idea why it's tolerated.

Anyhow, I would do whatever you can to get medical insurance for your children. I believe most states have some sort of coverge. And a controlling government plan is better than no plan at all. You can still see anyone you like, it just may not be covered.

Also, here in CA charges from a public hospital are covered by medical if you don't have insurance. (I found this out the hard way - went to ER one time, didn't realize it was a private hospital, and had an $1800 bill. If I'd gone to the public hospital, it would have been covered by the state.) Maybe you have something like this where you live?

But more than anything I'm sorry for your little guy. Worrying about their health is absolutely the hardest part of having kids. Nothing, absolutely nothing causes me more stress than when my kids are sick.

Hospitals also have financial assistance programs. We applied because of dd's astronomical medical bills (and we have private insurance) and just found out this week that the hospital scholarshipped her entire bill with them. (Now if we could only get the specialists, therapists, and pediatrician to do the same. lol)

Hospitals also have financial assistance programs. We applied because of dd's astronomical medical bills (and we have private insurance) and just found out this week that the hospital scholarshipped her entire bill with them. (Now if we could only get the specialists, therapists, and pediatrician to do the same. lol)

:hug That is wonderful that the hospital did that.

I am trying to google what I was told but am coming up with alot of medical journal type stuff that is comfusing me. :(

Here you go. Hope this helps.

http://www.health.state.mn.us/clearinghouse/public.htm

AngelBee....have you talked to the hospital social work department? Those folks are usually whizzes at ferreting out "entitlement" programs and pharmaceutical assistance programs.....

Also, if you check with the staff at Church, they may be able to refer you to the right folks to get "hooked up" with the state's CHIP insurance.

Hope everyone is feeling better soon.

Here you go. Hope this helps.

http://www.health.state.mn.us/clearinghouse/public.htm

Thanks :love

What about neuromuscular disorders? I do not know what that exactly means :innocent Like....what disorders would be lumped under neuromuscular disorders?

:hug Angelbee, I am so sorry you are going through this.

What state are you in? Do you have a local Department of Family and Children's services type Agency?

If so, you should be able to apply for Medicaid.

To give you an idea, here's a link below about Georgia's Medicaid Program (http://dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/portal/site/DHR-DFCS/menuitem.8237042e9dbda3aa50c8798dd03036a0/?vgnextoid=4bf8b9a195b4ff00VgnVCM100000bf01010aRCR D&vgnextchannel=6eb807b35414ff00VgnVCM100000bf01010a RCRD).

Your family is in my prayers.

We are in MN

:hug Thank you for the prayers

I found these googling. Maybe they would help.

http://www.coverallkids.org/
http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?IdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&Redirected=true&dDocName=id_006255

Absolutely call the hospital patient account dept. (or similar) You would be surprised at what can sometimes be covered through scholarship.

Alright......they think it is a dysplastic hip.

We need to go to a specialist at Gillette hospital.

Calling to make appointment

:hug Talk to the hospital about getting some help. I know one of our hospitals has a program taylored for those who can't affod health insurance but aren't elligible for medicare. I was on it when I had dd. With the problem of the uninsured being so big, most hospitals have programs available or at least know of programs at other hospitals in your area.

Good luck!

:hug Thank you mamas for your input :happyt:

Go ahead with the appointment, and when you call the state health care people (here it's medicaid) tell them that you've already seen a doc, and that you need to see a specialist. They will pre-date your acceptance for three months before. If you've already paid, then you will not get your money back. If they've billed you, you just submit the bill and the state insurance will pay it, if you qualify.

We also have no health insurance and it's a freaking nightmare at points.

O, Canada!

I'm in Minnesota. I used to work for the organization that does the Covering All Families website. Go to the website and see if you qualify. If you need help filling out the forms, have the hospital help you or check out the resources on the site.

Talk with a social worker at Gillette NOW. They are great there, and will help you get whatever coverage is out there. (I did an inservice there once, and I was so impressed with their staff and facilities.) Also, having public insurance coverage does not in any way prevent you from seeking out alternative care, it just pays for traditional medical care. You can do whatever you want otherwise.

It is definitely possible that you fall through the cracks income wise and won't qualify for public health care in Minnesota. The eligibility levels for the program were cut significantly two years ago, thanks to our governor and the Republican-controlled legislature. There are probably some improvements coming down the line this session, due to a budget surplus and a change in leadership. However, you should definitely check it out, and get some help wading through all the paperwork.

My best to you and your son -

Diane....thank you soooo much for the info! :throb

Just to make sure I put all the info her about his situation, I am going to post full visit info. Please feel free to include him in your thoughts and prayers. :love

Went to ped on Wed due to infected boil on back of right leg. That is fine but left hip has something wrong with it :crying

He has had his hips checked at birth, about 3 days old, in March 2006, weekly since Aug by chiropractor, and now on Wed Jan 31

The chiro checked with cloth diaper on and I think that offered just enough support to not crackle. He has been in dance lessons since he was 16 months and is extremely flexible. He walks and run fine. No signs........except now the crackle when his left knee in a froggie position is almost touching the ground and an asymetrical fold on the left side.

His xray from Children's hospital was his Shenton's line was disrupted more on left hip then right. But the xray did not find a dysplastic hip or fracture. They said may be a neuromuscular disorder. :(

The ped contacted a specialist who said it was indeed a dysplastic hip in his opinion. :dizzy: (After I was bawling for hours :crying )

So now we are to go to Gillette Hospital and meet with an orthoped who specializes in children with dysplastic hips next week.

AngelBee, I'm so sorry for all you're going though right now.

I just wanted to add another voice to those who have worked out very fair payment plans with medical centers. Even with insurance, it's so terribly expensive to get care sometimes. Best of luck.

I'm sorry you're going through all of this. Worries about our children's health are bad enough without the financial stuff on top of it.

I wanted to suggest you contact the Shriner's Hospital in MN: http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Twin_Cities/

Any care there should be free and if it is a long distance for you, you still might be able to get some appointments taken care of there. If it is long distance too you should be able to contact the local shrine organization and find someone who would drive you to the hospital. My dad has driven some families before I know to the one in St. Louis.

There is a mom on MDC here who I has used that hospital I think. I'll try to direct here over here.

I think UCare MN covers kids too. Children's Hospital in St Paul does a lot of sliding scale fees for uninsured kids too.

Also, MN is a no fault state for car accidents. your car insurance should cover up to $20K in medical for each accident. You should call you car insurance carrier to confirm. Auto insurance covers chiro, massage and PT - in fact the places will bill the company direct.

The accident did not cause any injuries. Thank God :love

We are in the Twin Cities. I will have to check about the Shriner's.

I will call the state Mon morning and see what options I have for insurance.

Thank you for all of the support :happyt:

I'm sorry you're going through all of this. Worries about our children's health are bad enough without the financial stuff on top of it.

I wanted to suggest you contact the Shriner's Hospital in MN: http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Twin_Cities/

Any care there should be free and if it is a long distance for you, you still might be able to get some appointments taken care of there. If it is long distance too you should be able to contact the local shrine organization and find someone who would drive you to the hospital. My dad has driven some families before I know to the one in St. Louis.

There is a mom on MDC here who I has used that hospital I think. I'll try to direct here over here.


That would be me :D

Angelbee, can you call me? I will PM you my number. We have been at Shriners for over 10 years and I know everyone there by name. I was the chair of the parent advisory comittee for a year or so. They are not a low cost clinic and hopsital like you think of one. They are spectacular and they have all the bext ortho's int he cities there - the same ones you would see at Gillette but for free. You don't have to qualify by income - only have to have an ortho. issue. They are also less invasive and less agressive than a lot of ortho's we have seen around the cities(especailly U of M).
I can call Shriners for you if you want and get you hooked up.

Also, concerning this prescription issue - DH and I have been without Ins. many times (even though dd is covered through the state). Yes, every pharmacy charges different prices but there is a place in Mpls that has a low cost program for people without Ins. It is less than half of the usual price, in my experience.

I'll PM you - hang in there.

Angelbee, your PM box is full so I can't PM you. I tried to e-mail you instead - hope it worked, otherwise PM me.

-- Judy

Goodness! I am in MN. If there is anything I can do let me know! Seriously!

Your pm box is full but pm me and I can send you my number etc.

We have worked out some great payment plans with hospitals in the past. It sounds like you have some great leads on how to get help. Keep us updated! (and ask for help if you need it!) :hug

I'm so sorry to hear this. I can't imagine not knowing when, how or even *if* my child would be taken care of medically. I'm so grateful for the national health service here in the UK.

I hope everything works out and that his condition isn't as bad as you think.

Angelbee, your PM box is full so I can't PM you. I tried to e-mail you instead - hope it worked, otherwise PM me.

-- Judy

Thank you :hug I will check email :Kiss

Goodness! I am in MN. If there is anything I can do let me know! Seriously!

Your pm box is full but pm me and I can send you my number etc.

We have worked out some great payment plans with hospitals in the past. It sounds like you have some great leads on how to get help. Keep us updated! (and ask for help if you need it!) :hug

Thank you :hug My email is thenextstepdanceacad@msn.com

Angelo has been throwing up since yesterday around 4pm. I hope it is not a reaction to the antibiotic. He has NEVER had any prescription meds before :crying

Angelo has been throwing up since yesterday around 4pm. I hope it is not a reaction to the antibiotic. He has NEVER had any prescription meds before :crying

Well, not to be flipent, but you can easily find out if it's the antibiotic by calling the Dr on call and asking them to call in a new antibiotic that would work just as well. This has happened to us more than once, especially when dd was a baby.