LOOK at it now. (

That is quite a pile of assumptions and generalization all ending with the oversimplified political statement.  And the way you used/exploited her situation to make that statement is rather unseemly.  Everybody probably feels for the OP, but you can't pretend like anyone is trying any harder than anyone else to "look out for her."  

Besides, she said she isn't covered by ORSA coverage because she "report[s] [her] income honestly."  That program covers 100% of expenses for people making less than about $15000/yr, and progressively less for higher incomes.  So if she wasn't covered *at all*, she had a plenty high enough income for independent insurance.  She's the kind of person who those very people who are "trying to look out for the uninsured" want fined for failing to purchase insurance.

As another comment stated, amputation is in the realm of acceptable treatment. No one's going to find that doctor liable for malpractice.

The problem is we all watch too many medical dramas on TV, and think that everyone gets "heroic measures" when they go to a hospital. Please...

The quality of treatment you receive depends on the hospital (the sleepy community hospital will not have the same care as the large university hospital), it depends on the specific doctor that sees you (you might be seen by a 3rd year resident, or an experienced ER doctor - luck of the draw), it depends on which specialist is on-call when you happen to come in (if the best specialist happens to be skiing in Aspen when you come in, YOU LOSE), it depends on what (if any) insurance you carry (no insurance? no heroic measures AT ALL), it depends on what the doctor thinks and knows about you (if I tell him I am a concert pianist, he will try harder to save my finger than if I say I am a garbageman).

its best to go during the daytime because they get packed at night when all the regular doctors offices are closed.  no insurance, no appointment necessary, and they will not treat you like slime scum.

you will not wait 5 hours.
even at their most packed, wait time has never been more than 2 hours.
they have handled both me and my son for the past 15 years, insured and uninsured.

i've not had to consciously take myself or my son to the hospital because urgentcare has handled eeverything we brought to them.

they will discuss with you all the costs involved, which costs are necessary and which costs are merely options that you should consider.

the office visit is around 100-150 with no insurance and they will confirm you can pay that before seeing you. ...

It happens to be among the most powerful broad spectrum antibiotics in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia. Specifically used for M.R.S.A. (flesh eating bacteria) and other very nasty infections. Very expensive, can only be given via IV at this time. Pay attention before shooting off your dim witted comments!

modified to eliminate rudeness, please do not post in this manner in the future LB

-- Modified on 11/16/2010 3:26:22 PM

Why would you assume she is doing any of these things??  Do you really think she likes looking at her finger the way that it is??  I highly doubt it.

"stop partying, stop working, get the finger healed. or lose it, it's your choice."  

You sound like a pompous judgmental ass who likes to assume he knows how people live instead of actually asking.  

ORAL- If an ER doc hasn't written you an RX for an antibiotic I would without a doubt look into a lawsuit.  They don't have to do much but writing an RX cost them nothing and is part of being an ER doctor.  

I also agree with the lady who spoke about Urgent care.  They usually are better than the local ER's since they are generally geared for the less fortunate without insurance.  Might be something to consider.  

In the mean time, I would be soaking my hand in bottles of peroxide which you can get at the dollar store in bulk for cheap.  I know your cash is limited because you said you haven't been working, but maybe asking a friend to loan you a couple hundred isn't a bad idea and get yourself into an Urgent Care immediately before it turns into a full body infection.  

1. About 15 years ago I went to urgent care regarding a foot problem. The doctor asked me if I had insurance before he sent me for x-rays. I can only guess that if I did not have insurance, he would have declined on the x-rays. I did have insurance but I was upset regardless.

This is a clinic affiliated with the renowned Mayo Health System. To counter your point, doctors do treat patients based on their health insurance status.

2. We have two major hospitals in town. The doctors are employees of the hospital at the one affiliated with the Mayo Health System. I wanted an expensive procedure done that was not covered by my insurance and wanted to know the cost.

He gave me his best guess and told me he had no bone in the procedure because he got paid the same every month by the hospital regardless if he performed one on thirty surgeries a month.

This hospital is still my favorite because their service is still lights out.

2. The second hospital, the doctors are considered private contractors and bill separately for their service. The hospital bills separately for their service as well. Not unusual to read about this hospital in the paper about their service including ER service. They actually were stripped of their Medicare and Medicaid compensation once.

The service of this hospital leaves plenty to be desired I tell you. You can see how a patients insurance status can effect how a doctor treats a patient at this hospital. If he thinks he will get paid, he might do all he can otherwise maybe not.

Given the under staffing in emergency rooms and high uninsured rates these days, many emergency rooms are taking a tougher stand on what actually constitutes an emergency. If you are insured you will get treated, if not and it seems like you are not going to die in all likely hood you might get referred to another clinic.

I am not blaming doctors for such decisions, many times it is the hospital boards that set such policies to maintain profitability.

I agree with you that many times doctors give their all and sacrifice plenty to help their patients in return for no thanks at all but it is not a perfect world like you seem to indicate.

BTW - It is a provider who started this thread, not a dude.