What happens if someone falls through the cracks?

[Bugsy]

I'm not concerned about myself, I just wonder what happens if someone on coumadin loses their health insurance and can't afford to test regularly? I know my cardiologist office will not renew the prescription if I don't test on schedule. It's interesting to me that they're so concerned about your INR they won't renew the prescription, so the alternative is not taking any. We all know what happens then!
P.S. I really don't want this to turn into a political discussion about healthcare.

 

[Nancy]

I think you would have to discuss that with your doctor when or if the problem occurred. They might know what would be available. Testing is extremely important.

 

[Bugsy]

Thanks Nancy, I realize it's importance. As I mentioned I'm not concerned about my own situation. I thinking in hypothetical terms.

 

[hensylee]

Maybe local health department. ours works on financial scale.

 

[catwoman]

I'm sure public/county hospital systems (or whatever the equivalent would be in other areas) would have something.


I just checked the list of clinics at www.acforum.org, and found:

JOHN PETER SMITH HOSPITAL ANTICOAGULATION CLINIC
Phone: (817)920-6875
1500 SOUTH MAIN STREET, FORT WORTH, TX 76104

JPS (John Peter Smith) is the publicly supported county hospital for Tarrant County.

 

[Ross]

I'm positive that there are places in which one could go. Health Department would be a real good place to start. Might check with the American Red Cross also. There is no way they are going to leave someone out there without testing.

 

[Ross]

http://www.uninsuredinamerica.org/labs/labs.htm

Any hospital ER will do it also.

 

[catwoman]

http://www.uninsuredinamerica.org/labs/labs.htm

Any hospital ER will do it also.

Ross:

That's a fabulous website!!!!! I'm going to bookmark it on my laptop......

Thanks!

 

[Herb M]

Doctors often say that a visit to their office is needed before a prescription is renewed if you are more than a year from your last visit. My doctor said they will fill it one more time unitl I visit.

I think you should be able to convince the doctor that you need the coumadin in order to keep you alive.

If you have no insurance or no funds, the doctor should see you without worrying about payment. If not go to an emergency room in a hospital and tell them your problem.