Im drowning in medical debt

Hi, I’m new to Pacemaker club. Thought I’d check it out. So my backround. I’m 23years old, I got my pacemaker 3 years ago. Basically I have some "issue" with my heart that it beats really slow, like 24 bpm when awake, or stops all together causing me to pass out, like while driving....oh ya it happened, I call it lazy heart...the doctor calls it something really long and annoying, so I got the pacemaker. I was realy young and didn’t have insurance and now am drowning in debt.

I want to get on top of this problem before I have to have it replaced in 3-4 years. Since you all have been in my situation, do you know of any grant programs or state or federal programs to help. I can’t imagine getting this all payed off on my own before the next round.

Please help...

7 Comments

expenses

by Susan - 2009-06-16 01:06:12

I would encourage you to apply for Medicaid. To be eligible you have to have low income, few assets in the bank, and medical bills. Mediciaid is a federal program administered by state agencies. Even if you aren't eligible, a letter of denial may be needed when you apply to other programs for assistance. For instance, if you apply for some patient assistance programs for meds, they sometimes ask for verification that you are not elibile for other programs and the letter of denial from Medicaid can be of help. Also, if you apply you will learn what the paramaters are for Medicaid and how close you are to meeting them. While one can apply for Mediaid via mail, see if you can talk to a real person to get some ideas of how close you are to being eligible. Most of the guidlines for eligibility would be on line if you know where to look.
Make sure your doctor's office knows you need financial help. In our community we have a program that helps the uninsured. While it won't pay for a pacemaker, it might help reduce doctor fees, lab tests, etc.
As previously mentioned, the hospital program for the uninsured should be checked out.
If you can afford insurance, I think there have been some good comments and resources already mentioned.
It wouldn't hurt to contact the manufacturer of your pacemaker and see if they have any assistance program
available.
You are doing good checking these things out now and planning for the future. Good luck.
SusanD

Hmmm...

by ela-girl - 2009-06-16 01:06:48

Welcome, Battery Operated!

I don't know of any programs, but I haven't had to do any researching to see if they exist. With that said, a few things that come to my mind are:

1. Contact the hospitals/medical offices where you have the debt and see if they can work out a plan with you or even forgive some of your debt.

2. Write your Congress people. It can be amazing how they can come through for you...

3. Check into bankruptcy. I know it's not an "A #1" option, but it would discharge any debts you have (a Chapter 7 or 13). Of course, you'd just accrue more debt in a few years when you have your device replaced, so you could be in the same boat again without being able to do anythng about your debt (bankruptcy stays on your record for 10 years).

Do you have insurance now? I wish I could offer you more substantial advice.

Sounds like we may have the same problem. My heart was beating at 4 BPM...I have severe bradycardia and neurocardiogenci syncope (the blacking out). How are you faring now with the pacer?

Keep us posted...
ela-girl

debt

by Tracey_E - 2009-06-16 07:06:23

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this at your age! I hope you're feeling better since you got the pm.

If you don't have any assets, you may qualify for Medicaid. Check with your state, they may have a plan also.

Bankruptcy is a one time shot- the debt will be forgiven but you can't do it again (i.e. after you get the next one), you lose everything and your credit is ruined (as in, you'll have trouble getting them to agree to give you your next one), so consider it only as a very last resort. Too many people took advantage of it and the laws were changed a few years ago, it's a lot harder to declare than it was.

The best thing to do is negotiate with the hospital and doctors for a reduced amount and a payment plan. You may be making payments for years, but they can't force you to make payments higher than you can afford.
If you show a willingness to work with them and try, most of them will work with you without much hassle.

Next thing to do is make sure you have insurance before your next one! If you work for a large company, you should be able to get on their group policy. It's hard for us to get insurance on our own because they always either decline us or write the policy but exclude cardiac. With a large company, they don't ask individuals questions and everyone who pays the premium is automatically covered. I've had to change jobs in the past to be sure I had good insurance, sucks but it's a fact of life when you have a condition. I'm self employed now (i.e. no benefits!) so my husband has made sure he has a job with good health insurance.

Private message did not work... so...

by harley63 - 2009-06-16 08:06:02

Private message did not work.. sorry for posting twice, ya'll... but wanted to get this response to Battery Operated...

http://www.daveramsey.com/sa/health/index.cfm?fuseaction=dspStep1

Here is the weblink for trusted health insurance agents. Fill in the blanks on potential agents and health plans. There are plans with 1-2 yr exclusion list, which PM probably are on. If you remain reasonably healthily from now until next replacement you could get coverage. I'm available for consultation via private message. Would be more than happy to walk you through all the fine print.

As far as the current debt.. I also recommend that you go meet with the business office at the hospital where the debt is. Alot of facilities are writing off bad debt or working with the patient's to accept lower payments or prices. MD's office can be flexible as well. Just because they have billed you $1000 for services does not mean that is their bottom line. Health care service cost are over inflated, just as most consumer items we purchase daily. They do that to 1) make money and 2) to off set cost for those people they serve who make no effort to repay. Another great point someone made, is to see if you qualify for Medicaid health care coverage. Please do not be too proud to inquire on this, you are entitled to it if you qualify and can get peace of mind with not having huge bills.

Thanks for being a responsible person and asking for guidance.

Cheering for you always,
Harley63

Thanks for the advice

by Battery operated - 2009-06-16 08:06:26

So I have a job now with great benefits, so I'm covered now. I have just accumalated so much debt from all the doc apptments before they found the issue and after. I feel like I'm drowning. When I first got the pm I didnt take the bills seriously and now my credit is ruined and I'm trying very hard to fix it and get back on track before the next pm is installed. Just had my pacer check doc said my battery is already half way gone from only 3 years down the road, I use it 96% of the time. Like I said, I have a lazy heart. I realy appritiate all the advice and support, none of my friends understand having a huge amount of debt that you didnt choose to have. I'm going to have to work hard to dig myself out of this hole. I'm also looking in to a second job at this time.
Medical wise I'm doing fairly well. I still feel light headed and dizzy sometimes, and get chest pain once in a while. My job is low strain so that helps.
Agasin thanks for the help, if anyone thinks of anything else I'd love to hear your ideas!!!!

Getting insurance

by harley63 - 2009-06-16 08:06:44

Actually, there are health plans that you could enroll in now which would cover the replacement of your device at the 3-4 yr mark and continue cover for services. Only IF you enroll now and allow the exclusion period to pass. You would need to work with the agent to determine which plan would be best for you. I've sent you the weblink via private message.

If you have further detailed questions regarding health insurance, please feel free to send private message. I'm not the expert on pacermakers details, but insurance.. well now, that is a different topic and I could talk all day on that.

Zoom on....
Harley63

American Heart Association

by jeanmarie - 2009-06-16 09:06:26

Hi, you may also want to contact your local American Heart Association to see if they could help you or point you in the right direction to get financial help

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Do feel free to contact the manufacturer of your device. I have found them to be quite helpful when I have had questions and concerns.