To the Uninsured:

How the smurf do you guys survive without health insurance/medicaid? The other day, I was picking up my meds (30 day supply for anti-depressants) and out of pocket, it would have been $76, but thanks to insurance, the cost was $6.04. I've also had numerous hospitalizations that have costed upwards to 100k. Thank god I am on my mom's health insurance, or I would be smurfed.

So how do you guys do it? Do you just not see the doctor and pray you don't get sick? I swear....one hospital bill can screw someone up BIG time.

I just don't go to the doctor. I avoid the hospital unless I HAVE to. But I probably owe hospitals at least 100,000.

We have free hospitals in Australia through the public health system.

I have private health insurance though. Just a personal preference I like to choose my obstetrician

My SO is on a discount plan with a family practice. Otherwise we're limited to that and redi med centers (which are at least $200/visit) and pray he doesn't have to ever go to the ER.

That's how it was for me when I first moved out. It sucked. I, luckily, remained healthy while going without.

Luckily we've not had any major illnesses or regular medication that we take. If we get sick, we visit the clinic, not the hospital so its about 75 bucks and then we ask for a prescription that's on the "walmart 4 dollar list".

If we were to be hospitalized it would suck.

Just suffer.

If we didnt, my sons breathing meds would be $202.50

I'm SOL until I get on DH instance (in June)...until then I just won't get sick or hurt  

Living on hopes and prayers. Hopeing no one gets sick and praying there are no injuries.

Quoting Back to Noob Status:" How the smurf do you guys survive without health insurance/medicaid? The other day, I was picking up my ... [snip!] ... do it? Do you just not see the doctor and pray you don't get sick? I swear....one hospital bill can screw someone up BIG time."

Thankfully around here there is a clinic based on your income. Since this area is very poor most people doctor there. They also have a contract with a local pharmacy that offers discounts to the clients of that clinic. Plus the doctors will look up cost of a medicine before writing a prescription. Also they have lots of free samples which they give to their patients. There is a medical office and a dentist office. It would be nice if everywhere had a place like this.

I just hope I don't get sick. In the past few years I've had mono, bronchitis, and had to have surgery due to kidney stones.

When my DD was born, she has no insurance, I thought she would eb covere under mine but she wasn't...well I got a NICU bill for 52l and I think they cut it down to like 36k but yea I still owe them a smurf ton. I have insurance & my daughter has it now but I am screwed with that damn medical bill. I picked up some ear drops the other day & the co-pay was like 30 bucks..i was like WTF. I am never going back to CVS, the co-pays are rite aid are like 5 bucks which is awesome.

Quoting I'm His Amy He's My Rory:" Just suffer."

This! I suffered for 3 years! lol.

I pay out of pocket to go to a county ran clinic, $10 each visit. And thank all that is good, that my medicines are each only $4 for a month.