I took an early distribution on my 401(k) when I quit my job early this year. After doing some reading on the subject, I found my medical for the year is above the 7.5% threshold. Does this mean my early withdrawal penalty doesn't apply? You are not my accountant inside!
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posted by Mister Fabulous
on Jan 24, 2011 -
6 answers
My gf has a swollen puffy lump about 2.5" wide on the base of her spine, no discoloration or pain, it just appeared at the same time she got a sudden sharp stabbing pain in her right lower back - are these 2 things related, if so, can anyone tell us what it means?
Obviously we need to talk to the doctors, but she's been working with them for years and no one can tell us anything yet - we thought someone else might have some ideas?
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posted by absolutshrk
on Jan 21, 2011 -
12 answers
My wife and I had injections for a TB test on Monday morning (we're adopting our second child and had to get the test). We had to come in Wednesday morning at 9:45 to see if the injection caused any problems. The NP told us everything was fine and we were TB negative.
It's several days later now - Thursday evening - and I'm fine, but my wife has enormous bumps/hives right at the injection site on her arm.
I'm assuming the TB test shot is some kind of totally inert drug so you can't actually get sick from it. Why would a disease that we were supposedly negative for cause hives? Is she allergic to something else? Help! Should we just go to the DR now? The hives are pretty weird.
Neither of us has any food allergies of any kinds.
posted by luriete
on Jan 20, 2011 -
22 answers
Medical Professionals: would answering "yes" to marijuana use on a medical questionnaire affect my friend's chances of being selected for DBS surgery?
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posted by spakto
on Jan 20, 2011 -
16 answers
Bicycle accident, sprained or otherwise damaged knee, no insurance - where to go in the East Bay for help?
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posted by anotherkate
on Jan 16, 2011 -
9 answers
What do I need to include in a medical alert bracelet/necklace/etc., and is there a best brand? I know there are some that have built-in communications systems and additional information available, but I am not clear what is a necessity for me. More info inside.
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 13, 2011 -
8 answers
Have changes been made in the last year or so that make getting health insurance any easier?
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posted by neilkod
on Jan 7, 2011 -
8 answers
A medical organization that serves 1) the elderly and 2) economically disadvantaged people in general would like me to justify, using demographics data, the cost of a new website.
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posted by circular
on Dec 1, 2010 -
6 answers
You have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia by a general practitioner, rheumatologist or equivalent. What do you wish that someone had told you soon after you were diagnosed?
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 21, 2010 -
10 answers
Medical Ethics question regarding physician at hospital referring patient to physician's own private practice.
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 15, 2010 -
9 answers
Have you ever worked as an interpreter, had experience working closely with interpreters, or used one yourself? I'm pondering quitting my boring, but unstressful part-time job to work as a Spanish medical interpreter, and am looking for inside stories of what the job may really be like.
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posted by wansac
on Nov 12, 2010 -
8 answers
Need some advanced advice on herbal supplements for both energy and rest for a semi-healthy person, but on prescription drugs too.
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posted by magnoliasouth
on Nov 7, 2010 -
19 answers
Is there some (legal?) reason why I can't seem to find individually-packaged OTC medications in Canada (eg. acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin...)? What are some alternative ways to package small amounts of meds for a backpacking first aid kit?
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posted by Diplodocus
on Nov 5, 2010 -
14 answers
What the hell is wrong with me? Nerve damage? Anxiety? [InsertVitamin] deficiency? Butterflies in my teeth?
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posted by doublehappy
on Oct 31, 2010 -
18 answers
I'm going to be unemployed soon, and have been looking for independent health insurance as an alternative to COBRA. I'm worried about denial of coverage due to pre-existing conditions, and had questions about how likely this could be.
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 29, 2010 -
14 answers
The left side of my head hurts. It feels like a headache when I nod my head or have jerky vertical movements. It's been feeling like this for a few months. I'm not sure what's going on. I'm a singer, so I sing with my whole body which includes my head. So, is there a doctor in the house?
posted by InterestedInKnowing
on Oct 27, 2010 -
11 answers
Mid-career job switcher. Unhappy with my current job and looking to make a switch into something more stable - probably in the medical field. Ideally, I'd like a job that requires an Associates Degree (two year program) rather than a Bachelor's Degree (four year program). A one-year certificate program is even better. What are my options?
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posted by Muffy
on Oct 27, 2010 -
12 answers
Are employers in California required to offer registered same-sex domestic partner health benefits if they offer benefits to married partners?
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posted by nohat
on Oct 19, 2010 -
8 answers
What is the meaning of the medical colloquialism "low blood"?
posted by feathermeat
on Oct 6, 2010 -
11 answers
Does there exist anywhere a database of medical procedure price lists to facilitate comparison shopping / competition? One of my local clinics offers a
price list on their website, albeit incomplete. I was wondering if anyone had taken the time to pull together a number of these. If not, someone should....perhaps a job for Google.
posted by grammalvsu
on Sep 15, 2010 -
7 answers
How do I effectively deal with medical charges due to emergency surgery having been done by an out-of-network surgeon?
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posted by leahwrenn
on Sep 15, 2010 -
16 answers
I have many of the symptoms of Lupus, and my mother has the genetic defects that cause a number of autoimmune diseases including Celiac and Lupus. How do I go to my doctor and insist I get tested without her laughing me out of the office or convincing me otherwise that I don't have lupus? Also, I might be crazy. Obviously, YANA/MD
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 14, 2010 -
21 answers
My dental insurer made a mistake and I am stuck with the $3,200 bill. How can I get out of it?
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posted by tmason
on Sep 13, 2010 -
30 answers
I need to go to the dentist. But, I have a phobia of injections. Not going isn't really an option, so what can I do?
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posted by mippy
on Sep 12, 2010 -
45 answers
My mother has had blood in her urine (without pain) for the past 5 days. She's doing all the right things (doctor, kidney function test, next doctor on Monday) but everyone seems to be minimizing the situation. Help me face whatever's coming.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 21, 2010 -
11 answers
My little brother is re-taking the internal medicine medical boards and I'm trying to get a better understanding of how much he needs to increase his score.
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posted by petestein1
on Aug 17, 2010 -
1 answer
Are the common side effects of general anesthetics REALLY that common? What if I eat toast beforehand?
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posted by foxy
on Aug 12, 2010 -
40 answers
I just received a statement from a medical facility stating I owe them a couple hundred bucks plus $100+ in interest. Date of service is supposedly 10/06. I am in California. This is the first bill I have received, and I have lived at this address for over 4 years.
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posted by 6:1
on Aug 8, 2010 -
5 answers
Aetna recently contacted my parents saying that because they provide less than 50% of my financial support, I am no longer eligible to be a dependent on the family health insurance plan. However, the new legislation passed by Congress seems to say that I can stay on the plan until I am 26. Can anyone clear up this confusion?
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posted by Aanidaani
on Aug 2, 2010 -
16 answers
Just received a $1400 hospital bill for a ER visit I made OVER 14 MONTHS AGO. How is this okay, and what do I say to plead with them?
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posted by ashtabula to opelika
on Jul 31, 2010 -
21 answers
How do I deal with the fear of a painful medical test that I'm having in two weeks? The pain will be intense but short in duration, under 5 minutes. It's a simple procedure, done in the doctor's office, and afterwards I'll be able to do my normal activities and probably won't have any lingering sensations or discomfort. And yet, I'm having trouble summoning up the courage to go through with this, to the point where I'm becoming paralyzed with the fear. I would appreciate suggestions or anecdotes about how you overcame medical fear to do something you knew you had to do.
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posted by daikon
on Jul 29, 2010 -
48 answers
My dog had a stroke. Her head is now tilted to one side and one of her eyes is sort of bulgy. I'm trying to understand what the world is like for her now. How does the world look after a stroke to the stroke victim?
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posted by vizsla
on Jul 21, 2010 -
10 answers
My brother has kidney failure and has been on dialysis for about a year. What are the probabilities on being able to live independently/normally, and how to go about it?
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posted by Fen
on Jul 19, 2010 -
11 answers
I need an MRI of both my lower back and my left knee. The lady in scheduling told me I will have to be in the MRI for 40 minutes for my back, and then I'll come out and then have to go right back in for another 40 minutes for my knee. This doesn't seem right. Why can't I stay in the MRI machine for 40 minutes and then have my back and knee imaged at the same time?
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posted by lynnie-the-pooh
on Jul 14, 2010 -
9 answers
If I've never tried hormonal birth control, is it illogical to have my first try be a Mirena IUD?
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posted by sparrows
on Jul 14, 2010 -
40 answers