Moving towards a Hip Replacement after no insurance for over 10 years

Joy, even if I missed two payments in a row they cannot drop me as a patient?  And by the way, there is help available to help pay the premiums for Medicare as well as a Medicare Complete plan which includes RX discounts in case you ever need it

My challenge is juggling my three granddaughters medical payment as well as my own, and sometimes I have to not pay on mine in order to pay on theirs, all on my limited SSDI income.

I began using Medicare at age 27 because of my lung disability.   I now also use United Health Care, AARP.  From Jan., this year to Oct. 31, I filed a total of $49,259.00 in processed claims for medications, but only paid $1,647.90 out of pocket.  In fact, United Health Care is so amazing, that last week when I was picking up a new Rd, I asked how much it cost and she said "80" and I freaked out and she then said "cents, 80 cents".  Then we both laughed hysterically.

I know that you maintain beautifully through alternative avenues and I admire you for it and wish to incorporate some of that into my life.  But it is my money shortage that limits me to crossing over.  I have controlled my sugar addiction with the help of 85% Cacao chocolate, just little pieces when craving.  I can feel a difference!

So happy that you share your holistic knowledge with us.  Sad thing is as long as my many lung medications cost only $2.55, I will not be able to spend $10.00 -$35.00 on their healthier choices.

One 93 yr old friend who I see for bridge on Thursday, always says, if  you send $1 they have to accept it.....My payments have been $20 month and on a couple docs I refused to pay copays as they did NOTHING for me, they finally went away and I'd never see them again anyway....

On a hospital copay for hip, finally after years of payments, they waived the final $500......so now my plan is to stay away from hospitals....

You have to care for others and that's got to make things a lot harder....I don't even have a cat or dog as I can't care for more than me and my plants...ha ha.   I've got some savings but I could live a LOT longer knowing my genes......Joy

Joy, you are such a dear person!  As I rescued my 3 granddaughters out of severe abuse and neglect 10 years ago, they are all special needs children.  They qualify for Tennessee's own TennCare insurance so a great deal of their care is free including Rx's.  However, one child requires five different specialists, another 2 and the other 1.  So far anyway, it seems that adolescence unhatches all kinds of genetic and environmental surprises.

The specialists are not free, but the co-pays range from $5-$15 dollars a visit.  That is wonderfully low, but there are times when I cannot find enough change laying about to muster up $5.00 to take my sick child to the PCP and they will not see my child unless I pay.  

Well, earlier this year two months in a row I could not take my sick girls to the doc because of no $$ so I skipped my surgeon's payments twice in a row so that I could pay on my children's accounts and get them in for their various needs.  That is when my surgeon's practice kicked me out, cancelled all future appointments and procedures until I pay the full amount of $800 and some dollars.  They will not accept anything less and have told me I have to pay it with a check!

Time for an attorney I guess.

I knew it would be rough raising my girls, but I did not expect my 7 surgeries, 5 major, 2 minor on top of my existing disability which has caused around 20 hospital admissions since I took them in.

I know we all suffer a great many different challenges.  Mine is no worse than someone else's, but it sure feels good to express it all once in a while!

You are a treasure!

Dawn

Hi Joy glad things are working for you even without the supplemental.  I chose a supplemental insurance that was more money as I knew all these procdures were ahead of me.  I have Medicare and Blue Sheild as my supplemental.  So far I have had to pay no copayments and were talking, blood work, 3 dr visits, 19 xrays, 2 MRI's and another visit with the Orthopetic Doctor.  so yes I am paying out of pocket with my supplemental but what I am getting at this point exceeds what my supplemental costs.  I hear what you say about not being able to afford the supplemental.  My husband has Kaiser Permante and pays $104 a month.  It really works well and good insurance but you stay with all the Kaiser doctors.  I chose Blue Shield as I can go to anyone I want and wanted to keep the doctor I had.  He is moving things for me fast.  So the cost is $104 plus $144 but no waiting and on co payments,  Because i have so much having to get done that is the route I took.  But thank God I was able to afford it and get things done.  The best to you.

 

So your supplemental is only $144, here in CA the supplementals go for about $300 a month....I cannot do that....

The $104 is Medicare per month, Right?  That must be nationwide.

As I said I made payments to all the docs and  hospital that assisted with my hip surgery.....    

My few meds are very inexpensive so I handle them fine, and I just don't take high cost meds.....my path is supplements which I spend $70/month average...  But it's OK.....    J

Good good wishes on your hip.   

So your supplemental is only $144, here in CA the supplementals go for about $300 a month....I cannot do that....

The $104 is Medicare per month, Right?  That must be nationwide.

As I said I made payments to all the docs and  hospital that assisted with my hip surgery.....    

My few meds are very inexpensive so I handle them fine, and I just don't take high cost meds.....my path is supplements which I spend $70/month average...  But it's OK.....    J

Good good wishes on your hip.   

Pain Free, how I wanted that...but I'm settling for less pain...no more groin pain but other pains since hip job....

I guess hip jobs can really do good IF other issues aren't invovled like OA in back etc.....it's all so connected.   

Hi Joy

I thought i was the only realistic/pessmistic one

Like you I settle for less pain.

Everything is so connected.....after my first THR was due the 2nd one about  months later then they thought it was my back {referred pain} back specialist said it was my hip {referred pain to my back.....it was another 3 years before i got the THR and I wish now I hadnt

Love

Eileen  UK

I'm back seeing a chiro I saw before hip job and she knows the surgeon who did my surgery and has heard only good results, so my results are foreign to her, but she believes it the back issues that haven't been in my favor for this replacement... so I take less pain....groin pain was horrible before.   Joy

Hi Joy, the problem here is prior to your hip replacement your back, the other hip and leg all compensated for your operated hip. All weight shifted and now everything hurts and since your long term recovery other joints are starting to degenerate and may need another operation I know you don't want to hear that I so much agree with you. But this is the honest truth. We all have to try to live and deal with pain but less pain. My father 82 he has a bad back the needs surgery since at his younger years he was afraid how it will c one because of many stories about others having a spinal surgery are on wheelchairs ever since he learned how to live with pain.

Gosh, you just hit the nail on the head!  Throughout my life, my quest  has been to do what it takes to reinstate a pain free existence without drug addiction.  Pain free!  You have caused me an epiphany- --I might have to live with constant pain after all.  Acceptance will be the key.  Learn to live with it.  How sad and refreshing at the same time...

Dawn

Hi,DawnDee,  Actually I don't think anyone should endure pain. Not into these days technology.

 I take tramadol just once or twice a day. Don't need more than that.

Also people with back pain w who don't want surgery, there is a pain pump that is inserted in the back and the pump part is placed in the abdomen.The doctor sets how much u get.Also there are Neuro stem inserted in the back where u feel the pain and then a light current is set at that spot in surgery.I have friends who have these and are quite pleased.

Hi I had a massive back surgery three yrs.ago.No more pain. However I went to a spinal hospital where doctors do them almost daily.

I had six fusions and six lammenectomys pls spinal stenosis in two places. Also two holes were in my spinal cord with the inside coming out.which the surgeon repaired also since I could only sit on one side of my bottom at a time for fifteen yrs.my spine shifted do I had that straightened.

Lots none removed b/c it clamped down on nerves causing pain.That'd a big surgery.Now I'm pain free

Thank you so much Sue.

 

thank you much Sue

 

Ginger, I have always thought along those same lines.  Perhaps it is my fatigue speaking after 13 months of excruciating pain with very short reprieves of less or no pain after this THP.  I am crippled.  Perhaps I just want to give into it and accept it, today.  

THEN, just NOW, I received my appointment for my second opinion!  It is next week so I will reschedule until after the holidays.  Also I asked to begin some physical therapy with someone who is curious and wants to help me.

Guess I will deal with the pain epiphany later.

Dawn

Did you see where I described two types of pain relief?

Yes, but tramadol does nothing for me and does not agree with me.  And I have no surgeon and even if I did, it is too far out post op and my primary doc can't help me either because the laws have tied their hands regarding any narcotic.  My state, Tennessee, has one of the worst problems with prescription narcotics.

I use Ibuprofin.  I am caught between a rock and a hard place. 

I would NEVER do a back surgery, Never....not even if a surgeon would want to....I've learned to live with this back at now 76....I stretch and do a lot of stuff to keep moving...

I would NEVER do a back surgery, Never....not even if a surgeon would want to....I've learned to live with this back at now 76....I stretch and do a lot of stuff to keep moving...

I have pain, never out of pain, but I use MSM to help reduce pain also....so some of my supps help with pain reduction.....Ibuprofen is my friend and my kidneys are fine and DGL protects my stomach..... 

That was some surgery you went thru Ginger!!!   No restrictions?   can you bend your back, as narley has mine is I touch my toes but don't force things.....lots of OA stiffness.   Joy 

When my spine was moved to center I have eight bars and screws holding it together.

My ham strings are short and tight.So I can't bend over and touch my toes.Nor can I sit and put the feet straight out in front of me then bend over and touch my toes.But now I'm out of back pain.

I'm so sad to hear of your suffering and being caught bwt rock and a hard place.

I wasn't advocating that tramadol is for everyone just stating that I can take it without being addicted to it.my belief is still no one should have to live in pain.

Those other options pain pump and the internal simulator are real good for people can't have surgery our too old for that kind of surgery.

I hope an pray you can get relief somehow.

Thank you Ginger.  I know what you meant about the tramadol.  Right now I do not even recognize who I am because of the excruciating pain.  I just had another 5 day on the couch 24/7 unable to even slightly move my leg without screaming.  There seems to be no predictable pattern in the rollercoaster waves of no pain, less pain and extreme pain.  I feel edgy and am coming across sharply.  This morn at 4:00 I was awakened by the pain.  I feel weary and down.

When I looked back at your post, it's been13 months since THR? There has to be something wrong with your surgery.You should not have that level of pain there several things like the head of the implant could be too big, which can cause dislocation.especially if you can't move the leg without severe pain.

Did you mention that your surgeon is far away.have you had an xray recently? 

As an RN honey you really really need to seeded for doctor an demand x rays.

You are suffering needlessly.Take action today.and don't accept no for an answer.

Yes the THR was 13 months ago and yes there has to be something wrong especially when the other THR was done 4 months ahead of this 2nd one and by 5 weeks I  needed no supports to walk and it was a breeze.

The surgeon who did the THR's is local, but the doc I am going to for the second opinion is 6 hours away.  Dec. 10th is when I go.  Yes I will be advocating on my behalf and if he does not meet my approval, then I will find someone else!

I cannot endure this pain much longer!