Had a beautiful baby girl a few months ago. Previous baby due to excellent insurance cost exactly $0. This baby, with crappy Aetna insurance close to $4k. This is after deductible, and using a doctor that was non-preferred (which we paid more for) I am still puzzled how I ended up getting charged this much. Anyway I got to thinking. Why is my out of pocket cost $4k for a birth with no complications? Why is the total cost for this birth $17 - $18k? [more inside]
posted by gnash on Sep 4, 2009 - 39 answers

Health Mystery Solved. I have been given a diagnosis of avascular necrosis. My general practitioner relayed these results to me after she saw my MRI results. On Friday I meet with an orthopedic surgeon. Please help me prepare. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 5, 2009 - 5 answers

I suspect I am suffering from Depression and I have no health insurance or current source of income - how do I get help? [more inside]
posted by jnnla on Mar 18, 2009 - 16 answers

How can a homeless person who has been injured (stabbed, for instance) expect to be treated at a U.S. city hospital with no money or health insurance? Surely they wouldn't let him bleed to death? And if they do turn him away, what are his options?
posted by Sully on Feb 1, 2009 - 21 answers

I am trying to resolve some angry and anxious feelings I’m having about emergency medical care my husband received this weekend. Very long story inside. [more inside]
posted by jay dee bee on Oct 26, 2008 - 28 answers

What are innovative ideas for healthcare to save money, increase efficiency and improve outcomes? [more inside]
posted by mintchip on Oct 18, 2008 - 14 answers

YANMD: Self-diagnosed high-groin sprain. Chronic for more than six weeks, further aggravated when I tripped in the airport today. It seems that the negative stress of catching myself completely tweaked it. 39yo Caucasian male [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 3, 2008 - 5 answers

I am working as a home health aide in a private home and need some information about maternity leave. Details inside. [more inside]
posted by Snoogylips on Jun 3, 2008 - 6 answers

How to advocate for and aid a desperately ill, uninsured man in California? [more inside]
posted by Scram on Jan 3, 2008 - 9 answers

How to treat possibly broken fingers and toes? [more inside]
posted by cashman on Jan 3, 2008 - 15 answers

What African language should I learn and how should I go about it? [more inside]
posted by skjønn on Nov 15, 2007 - 18 answers

My mom went to visit my 96 year old grandmother in the nursing home today and found her slumped over in the wheelchair, drooling, clammy and unresponsive. The nursing staff said this had happened before (we were not informed then). They didn't think she had stroke, only possibly that her blood pressure had dropped. However, it was within normal limits when they got her back into bed. She was able to say "no", when asked if she was in pain. The only medication she is on is aricept. Aside from her age, what would cause her to lose conciousness like this?
posted by socrateaser on Feb 19, 2007 - 14 answers

Have any tips for living (in the US) without health insurance? [more inside]
posted by YoungAmerican on Jan 7, 2007 - 25 answers

I'm trying to help out a friend /wout health insurance who needs some psych counceling in NYC. I remember hearing about something attached to a college, where it was $25 or $50 an hour. Any info?
posted by andrewyakovlev on Dec 6, 2006 - 8 answers

GPC (Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis) - have it? Know much about it? Tell me. [more inside]
posted by AthenaPolias on Oct 28, 2006 - 7 answers

Please help a small business owner find an insurance plan that covers maternity and isn't 700 a month. What have you used? [more inside]
posted by BrodieShadeTree on Aug 15, 2006 - 9 answers

Where do you go for medical care when you have no health insurance? [more inside]
posted by Space Kitty on Jun 18, 2006 - 5 answers

In a small company's health care plan (HMO), if a person has a lot of expensive claims, does it push up the cost of the plan? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 2, 2005 - 6 answers

Medical Professionals and Savvy Patients: what advice can you give for working with Doctors most effectively? If I'm not satisfied, should I look for new doctors, or revise my approach, or both? [more inside]
posted by weston on Aug 17, 2005 - 10 answers

I've had this argument with a friend of mine today on the United states public health services, we both disagree and i turn toward metafiler for an answer. my conception of the way it works it that if you don't have any coverage or work insurance or any way to cover for the bill you don't get treated...final ! his point was that people can allway acces "public" hospital and get treated for free, the truth must be in between our two vision, would anyone care to comment the way it works to our free health cared canadian ass ? regards, selfsck
posted by selfsck on Apr 5, 2005 - 57 answers

I'm in a profession where I am often speaking loudly *all* day, are there any good remedies for taking care of my throat/voice? I've found lots of tips on the web but am having a hard time distinguishing the worthwhile from the useless.
posted by jeremias on Feb 10, 2005 - 24 answers