From what I understand, that US healthcare system you’re talking about is actually undergoing a major overhaul right now. Even that little old lady you mentioned—she’ll eventually be entitled to medical services. It sounds almost unbelievable, even here in the States. I guess this whole process is going to take a few years and will be rolled out gradually, but the end goal is to provide coverage to most Americans who haven't had access until now.
Even before this, though, if that woman showed up, Americans would likely perform all the necessary exams for her; they wouldn't just turn her away without help, even if she didn't have insurance. In the end, she’d just be handed this massive bill that she’d somehow have to find a way to settle. But with Barack Obama's reform, that dynamic is supposed to change, allowing most Americans to finally get insured if they haven't been able to before.
Besides, why not bring up Canada? Most people there have been covered for ages regardless of their employment status, and they have top-tier care too. Then there's Cuba, where healthcare is free, though they are quite poor. And honestly, most European countries ensure their citizens get decent, high-quality care whether they're working or struggling to find a job.
I honestly feel it’s completely wrong to scrap free supplemental insurance for people who are unemployed. My unemployment benefits, which I was entitled to for six months, have already run out. So, why should I be expected to pay for supplemental coverage out of my own pocket when I have zero income? I live with my parents, and since they’re retired, they’re already struggling with massive utility bills. They don't cover my medical costs, either. I had to pay for my own dental crowns—something neither standard social security nor supplemental insurance even touches. I’ve been paying for private checkups myself, both last year and this year. Even when I was referred to the hospital, I used my official referrals, but it’s pretty obvious you can't get everything done through the standard system. I even dealt with my primary care doctor constantly messing up the codes on my referrals; it happened more than once, so I had to keep going back just to get them fixed.
I just don't understand how they can't see that most of us aren't unemployed because of our own fault. If someone isn't even bothering to look for work, then sure, let them pay for their own supplemental insurance. It's like what Milinovic said—if a woman has a wealthy husband, he should just cover it. But should those of us who have been searching for jobs for months be penalized by having our supplemental coverage cut? When I actually had a job, I paid for my own supplemental coverage, and I think that’s perfectly fair. But for the unemployed, the supplemental insurance really should stay free. Not all of us have wealthy husbands, despite what Milinovic suggests. Besides, my parents aren't legally required to support me since I'm an adult.
I really hope things start looking up soon. At the very least, I just hope they can save the rest of his leg. How old is he now? And which hospital is he at—is it somewhere over in Washington, D.C.? How did that vascular procedure turn out? Is he feeling any better?
I haven't actually heard of people calling it "vessel blowing," if that makes sense... I think it's called an arterial bypass in the leg? They actually mentioned that as a possibility for my mom once, though luckily she hasn't needed a bypass surgery yet. I guess there’s always that risk of complications, like a blood clot forming right where the bypass meets the artery. I remember reading about that on some American medical sites a few years back. I don't know anyone here in the States who has actually had to go through that kind of surgery.
They actually asked me for my old contract too, back when I was trying to sign a new fixed-rate savings agreement in early November 2009. My very first one had been signed in early November 2008 for a one-year term. I honestly don't get why there was even a dispute about them needing to review that old rent-style savings contract... they just gave it right back to me anyway.
Is it possible for me to request a formal statement at the end of the year that lists every single deposit made to my checking account regarding this year's interest? I guess I’m just never quite sure if they’ve credited the exact amount of interest they're supposed to. Right now, the only way I can track it is by heading down to JPMorgan Chase every three months to pick up some tiny slip of paper showing the quarterly interest payments. It’s incredibly inconvenient, really, and the little thing is such a mess to read—it isn't even signed or anything.
In my experience, banks generally seem pretty reluctant to hand over official paperwork documenting interest earned on savings. I mean, why do they act like that? And I don't just mean with JPM. Surely I should have the right to see a clear, dated breakdown of exactly when those funds were paid out and what the precise interest rate was on my USD savings.
About three years ago, my mom dealt with some serious issues involving her pinky toe. It turned completely blue, and she ended up developing arterial thrombosis in that leg. She doesn't even have high blood sugar, which was a relief. I remember being absolutely terrified when the doctors suggested she might actually need an amputation... honestly, it was just devastating to hear. Luckily, everything worked out. The toe healed, and while she did have early-stage gangrene, thankfully it wasn't the wet kind. To manage it, she kept the toe wrapped in gauze, used Octenisept spray regularly, and was incredibly strict about keeping everything sterile. Her doctors also advised her to walk as much as possible, but they were very clear: if she felt any claudication—you know, those sharp pains—she had to stop immediately, sit on a bench outside, and rest until the pain subsided. It was pretty tough at first; I’d go outside with her, and we’d spend more time sitting than actually walking. But bit by bit, she improved. She still can't walk super fast, but after three years, her leg is doing so much better, and she can walk almost normally now. One thing that's really vital is wearing comfortable shoes—they have to be wide enough so they don't squeeze the foot at all.
I can send you a private message with the name of the doctor who specializes in arterial circulation issues. He performs surgeries at a major hospital in Washington, D.C. He was such a huge help to my mom three years ago, and he was really the only one who gave us clear instructions on how to handle the walking and calmed our fears about losing the toe.
I’m not sure if your comment was directed at me too, since I'm 32. People who have steady jobs usually have the chance to go in for routine physicals, and they actually do it even when they aren't feeling sick—including getting blood work done. Would you call them hypochondriacs? I don't think so, honestly. Since I've mostly been working contract gigs or temporary roles, I haven't had the chance to get a full checkup as an adult until now. This time, I just went to a private lab, paid for it myself $63, and had some specific blood tests done. Is there really anything wrong with that? I checked my blood sugar because my grandfather struggled with it. According to a medical journal I picked up at the pharmacy, you should be checking your glucose levels annually after age 25, and the last time I checked mine was over five years ago.
Everyone has their own reasons for needing blood work; that’s why it’s such a standard part of adult physicals. To me, the real issue is people demanding things like an MRI when there isn't even a medical reason for it. Plus, those scans are incredibly expensive.
Regarding doctor referrals, I was actually scheduled for a follow-up appointment at the hospital. My medical report listed the exact date for my checkup, so I went specifically to get that referral. So, it wasn't like I was just going for no reason.
I feel like you might be being a bit too general here. These days, people don't always get clear explanations from their doctors. Sometimes the clinic is slammed, or maybe they just don't have a great relationship with their primary care physician. So, they come to a forum like this to ask questions. Of course, it's tough for an expert to interpret blood results without knowing the patient personally. But, I guess... speaking out against everyone who posts on this forum just doesn't seem right to me.
I honestly don't think your weight is critically low considering how tall you are. I suspect the real issue might be that you lost weight too quickly. Please, please don't go back on any diets—you really don't want to risk heading toward anorexia. You probably should try to gain a few pounds; that would definitely help. When I was 16, I weighed about 125 lbs at 5'8", and nobody ever told me I looked anorexic because, well, I wasn't. Back when I was 16, I actually had to take some medication to deal with amenorrhea. I only took one course, maybe for 14 days, and then my period finally came. I hadn't had one for about three or four months before that, and my doctor warned me it could get pretty dangerous. Apparently, if you go too long without a cycle, the next one can be incredibly heavy, and you could end up in the hospital. After that, I never had to take those types of medications again. I think Duphaston is similar, though I never personally used it. Once I finished high school, I gained a bit of weight and haven't had any issues since.
I really feel like this girl needs to talk to her gynecologist about getting medication, especially since she hasn't had a period in six months. That’s just way too long. She should definitely ask a doctor for advice. Maybe things will just level out naturally as she grows, just like they did for me. And, of course, gaining about 10 pounds would probably be good for her. I don't think she's anorexic, but I do worry she could hit a critical point where her weight leads to a hospital visit.
There's really no need to be afraid of medications like those or Dabras. They aren't dangerous drugs; you typically only take them for about two weeks to trigger a period. After a few months, you might have to do another round if your cycle still hasn't returned, but most likely, it'll come back on its own eventually. These aren't meant for continuous use, unlike birth control pills, which can carry risks like thrombosis or an embolism in certain cases.
I’ve never really struggled with sinus issues, so I don't think that's what's causing this. Honestly, I suspect it might just be exhaustion and burnout. When I'm actually well-rested, I never deal with headaches or that pressure above my eyes. Thanks to everyone for the input. I do plan on seeing a doctor, it's just that my schedule is so hectic right now. I have a week off coming up soon, so hopefully, I'll finally have some breathing room.
Oh yeah, that’s actually solid advice. But honestly, I wasn't even at my computer much yesterday—maybe an hour tops? I think I feel way more comfortable wearing my contacts rather than glasses. So, I’ll probably just stick to wearing them most of the time now, except maybe for a day or two over the weekend to give them a break.
I get those headaches too, especially lately—it seems to hit harder when I'm exhausted or haven't caught enough sleep. Yesterday, I had this really intense pain right above my eye. I actually went to see my doctor about a month ago, but they can't even fit me in until next year. I don't think it has anything to do with my soft contacts, though. Yesterday, I mostly just rested and wore my glasses because the headache made wearing lenses feel impossible. But today? I wore my contacts and didn't have a headache at all. I've actually just started an IT course, and starting tomorrow, we'll be stuck in front of a computer for three full hours at a time. I’m going to try to squeeze in a quick walk outside during the break. I just hope the screen time doesn't trigger another headache.
Maybe you should consider getting a second opinion from a different hospital. For instance, try The Rib. I actually went there for outpatient laser treatment last summer, and they were incredibly helpful—the doctors there are truly excellent. To be fair, my issue wasn't glaucoma. Personally, I wouldn't really recommend going to Beverly Hills; I'm just so relieved I ended up at The Rib last summer instead. Before that, I had a private consultation on Fifth Avenue with a specialist who used to work at Beverly Hills for ten years, and he completely missed a retinal tear on my periphery. Honestly, I don't think he even looked for it. He obviously didn't think it was a big deal, even though it was actually quite serious. It’s such a good thing I sought out a second opinion from a doctor at The Rib. You might want to try scheduling an appointment there—you can even call them—but just a heads-up, the wait times can be pretty long, sometimes up to three months if it isn't an emergency. You'll need a referral.
What is your husband's eye pressure reading? Hasn't he been able to get it under control with the eye drops? And how many years has it been since his glaucoma was first diagnosed?
So, I stopped by the Breyers lab today, and they’ve already emailed my results over. They were actually really quick and super polite about everything. In total, I paid $63 for a full blood panel—including my CBC, liver enzymes, glucose, ESR, urea, and creatinine.
It’s been quite a while since I last had my blood drawn, so I don't really have anything to compare these numbers to, I guess. My white blood cell count is right at the top end of the range at 9.5, though the limit is 9.7. Erythrocytes are at 5.17, hemoglobin is 157, and glucose is 5.25. However, my alkaline phosphatase came back low at 46, when the normal range is supposed to be between 54 and 119. What does it mean if my alkaline phosphatase is this low? Is that... I don't know, something I should be worried about? My bilirubin is 20, which is right on the upper limit. Is that okay? Or maybe I should look into getting something else checked out? All my other liver markers seem perfectly fine—AST is 13, ALT is 10, and GGT is 12. I didn't get my CRP tested, though.
You really just have to keep an eye on those deadlines. For instance, if she’s just finished her schooling, she needs to reach out within 60 days to get her health coverage through Medicare as an unemployed person. But, if she was actually working and then lost her job, that window to register with Medicare shrinks down to 30 days. Once those deadlines pass, things get complicated—I guess there might be issues getting covered even if she's still technically unemployed. At that point, I suppose the only real options are paying for the insurance herself or just waiting until she lands a new job and her employer handles the enrollment.
I honestly have no idea what the total cost would even look like. I've just never found myself in a situation quite like this before. Maybe try to figure out a way to get your Medicare coverage sorted first? You could head over to the local Social Security office or check with a nearby government services center—it really just depends on which district you're registered in. They should be able to walk you through the process and explain exactly what you need to do to qualify for coverage. It might also be worth stopping by your primary care doctor's office to explain the whole thing. If you have a good relationship with them, I imagine they'll try to help you out. You'll probably have to pay something upfront, but I don't think it'll be a massive amount... maybe around $33, though I can't say for sure.
They’ll have to cover those costs out of pocket if they don't have supplemental insurance. But, I guess if they aren't even covered by basic health insurance, then they're definitely going to be looking at a much higher bill. Honestly, everyone really ought to have basic coverage—that's why it's called mandatory in the first place.
I really hope your results come back okay. Fingers crossed!
I’d probably just go to a private lab to get my bloodwork done, honestly. It saves me the hassle of hunting down a referral. I actually had to ask my doctor for one recently because I had a follow-up appointment scheduled, and she gave me the referral then, but I really don't feel like going back there right now. I guess... I just felt kind of awkward talking to her. Maybe the best move is just to switch doctors entirely. I think I might actually do that.
That said, using a referral usually makes more sense since it's covered, and I do have supplemental insurance. I’ve actually had a pretty good experience at one local community health center, so the only issue is getting that paperwork sorted out. My last blood sugar check was five years ago, and I haven't had a full blood panel since my surgery nearly nine years ago... so, yeah, I suppose it's definitely time to get those checked.
Has anyone here dealt with Breyer labs before? I was browsing their website, but they don't list any prices, and I’m really curious about what they charge. Are they pretty pricey?
I'm planning to get my blood sugar, a CBC, creatinine, sedimentation rate, and liver enzymes checked—just the standard stuff. About four years ago, my blood sugar was fine, though it was hovering right near the upper limit. I guess... how many days should I avoid sweets before getting my blood drawn?
If I decide to switch my primary care physician, am I expected to go pick up my physical medical records from my old doctor and hand-deliver them to the new one?
Last year, back in September, when I switched dentists, I didn't have to deal with getting my files from the previous office at all. I guess I'm just wondering if the process works the same way when you're changing general practitioners.
Let me try to answer that for you. When you go down to Social Security, they’ll give you three copies of the verification—you keep one, and they hand back two. You're supposed to hold onto one of those, and then you have to take the other one over to your new doctor to prove you've officially switched over to their care. Though, I guess it might be that once you're at the Social Security office, they just update your info in their system with your new provider's details, and they hand you all three copies right then and there. Still, it seems like you really should bring one of those papers to your new doctor. I'd suggest doing it as soon as possible, though I don't think you can actually miss the deadline.
A friend of mine is looking for a plastic surgeon to fix her earlobe, and I was wondering if anyone knows a good specialist at a hospital in Chicago who takes Medicare referrals? She’s got supplemental insurance, so she wants to go that route. Basically, her earlobe split slightly in one spot because she wears these heavy, oversized earrings all the time. It’s been over two months now and it hasn't healed on its own, so it really needs to be stitched up. She asked me for my take on it... My first thought was definitely a plastic surgeon, but now I'm thinking maybe an ENT might actually be the better call since, well, it involves the ear and the lobe area.
If anyone has a specific doctor they could recommend for this kind of thing, I would be so incredibly grateful.