Hysterectomy Surgery

• By Jennali
• Posted June 25, 2009 at 9:43 pm
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Talk to the financial department at the hospital. She might qualify for aid directly from them, as a charity case. If not, they will probably discount the surgery and set up a payment plan. You may have to set things up individually with the specialists such as the anesthesiologist. They usually bill separately from the hospital.

If your mom has few enough assets ($2000 or less in liquid assets) she might qualify for Medicaid. House and car don't count.

Some drug companies will provide drugs free of charge.

Don't let lack of funds stop you. There are many creative ways to get through this financial nightmare.

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• By FavoriteAunt
• Posted June 26, 2009 at 8:17 am
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Definitely check out Medicaid. And talk to the financial office connected with the doctor and the hospital. They will usually try to work with you. Even the pharmaceutical companies offer meds for free - the doctor's office can help with that.

When my cousin (a young widow) was dx with stage 4 breast cancer she was in between jobs with no insurance. They tried everything and kept running into roadblocks, but eventually it worked out and she's been on Medicaid. One doctor refused to treat her (we know where he belongs), but the one she did wind up with was an angel from heaven. He said she could pay him whatever she could as they went along. He has taken wonderful care of her for 10 years and she's still hanging in there and still paying him.

Let's hope it's just a tumor and not cancer. Your Mom is lucky to have your there for her and help. I hope you get good news.

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• By zircons
• Posted June 26, 2009 at 10:52 am
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Try cancercare.org. They might be able to direct you to an agency that can help.

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• By Georgi
• Posted June 26, 2009 at 7:45 pm
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Dear Jennali,
I lived in San Jose for almost 15 years, altho am now in San Diego. Santa Clara County Medical Center (near Bascom) is an excellant Medical Center and would at least get your Mom started with initial surgery and they WILL provide care that your Mom can afford. If our Gov. ever signs a Budget she should also be eligible for Medi-care.

I'm an RN with Stage lll-c ovarian cancer (3 years) and am still off and on treatment. If you want to talk (e-mail and/or phone) just let me know.
Georgi

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• By just-tigg
• Posted June 29, 2009 at 3:47 pm
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Here in Canada we have Medicare, we pay nothing directly for health care and although we complain about high taxes on everything from clothes to cars to homes, we are indeed fortunate with our health care system. My 77year old Mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ov, spread to ommentum and small intestine in Nov 08. She had bypass surgery on the bowel, and 6 rounds of chemo. Now she is on a chemo that is every two weeks but is just being administered for pallative reasons. I think the worst is yet to come. She is barely holding her own. I am going for BRCA I and II next month, and have a hysterectomy scheduled for October. So the next time I pay sales or income tax I will do so with a sigh of relief. My heart goes out to those who do not have the resources to fight this horrible disease.

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