So, heres the deal. I recently lost my job and did not have health insurance in the first place. Therefore, I have no COBRA to fall back on, and no disposible income with which to pay for ANY unexpected expenditures. I do not qualify for MediCal or any other public assistance program, nor would I want to resort to such a program as I am very much a believer in paying my own way. However, I also recently became very ill and had to go to the ER, and was then referred to a physician for several follow-up appointments. I advised the hospital that I had no insurance and could not afford to pay, but they assured me that I would qualify for their financial assistance program and that my ER visit would be covered as well as follow-up visits for a full month.
My question is, are these doctors that are treating me getting paid for their troubles If so, how Am I considered a charity case, and as a result, a tax write-off Or are these doctors spending their time on me...for free I feel horrible each time I have to go in for a follow-up as I feel like Im wasting their time. But they keep telling me I have to come back (and frankly, my health is dictating that I comply). Now, I know our healthcare system is screwed, but is there so much excess or something else that my free healthcare is a drop in the bucket Or am I an actual leech on the system I havent tried to evade the charges, I give them all of my information and such, but they waive it off as if its no big deal to treat me for free. Obviously, if they bill me, they bill me...I wracked up those charges. But seeing as I cant afford them now, if I dont have to pay them...and currently cant, well I certainly will sign up for any assistance program available.
Can anyone explain how this works
Location: SD Coastal
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