閩姑(xiaomin)
Knowledge is power. 傳播和學習正確的醫療/保健知識是重要的
問帖: 在美國如果沒有醫療保險, 得了大病 ( 如癌症 ) 怎麽辦?
答: 首先得問一下, 是你的雇主沒有提供醫保計劃給雇員還是你無法負擔?
如果以前你沒買醫療保險, 你現在可能還來得及. 問問雇主的人事部 ( HR ) 人員何時為公司的open enrollment period. 來得及的話, 抓緊時間參加一個計劃. 具體的指導參見:
Types of health plans
Other things to know about health insurance
How to manage your health insurance
如果你負擔不起醫療保險, 你可以做:
1. 查電話號碼 ( in the government pages of your phone book or on the Internet ) , 打電話到當地的社會服務部門 ( local Social Services Department ). 你可能有資格申請到 Medicaid 或其它的為低收入者提供的醫療計劃 ( other programs for low-income ).
2. 打電話到當地的公共衛生部門 ( local Public Health Department ) , 那裏的社工人員 ( social worker ) 會幫你找找當地的 health care programs --- ask what public health services are offered in your community. 他們會提供你居住區各醫院可能有的免費或低收費計劃, 如: " free clinics ", " charity care " or " indigent care " programs. 如果他們不是非常清楚各醫院的具體計劃, 請別放棄, 直接打電話到醫院問, ask to speak with a social worker. Hospital social workers are usually the most knowledgeable about sources of support in your community.
3. 如果你附近有醫學院的教學醫院 --- teaching hospital ( 相當於國內的醫學院附屬醫院 ) , 那裏有不少 free-treatment programs, 可以直接打電話到醫院詢問.
4. 某些醫院接收聯邦政府撥發的 Hill-Burton funds 的資助. 這些醫院必須給無法支付醫療費用的患者 ( 特別是癌症患者 ) 提供一些免費的服務. Approximately 300 hospitals take part in this program. Call (800) 638-0742 or visit their Web site,
5. 如果你得了乳癌或宮頸癌 ( breast or cervical cancer ) , 在 " the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act of 2000 " 法規下, 你可能享有更多的幫助. For more information, go to www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/index.htm or call (888) 842-6355 或者 contacting the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER ( 1-800-422-6237 ) . They have information about how to get free mammograms, Pap smears, and treatment.
以下兩個網頁也有很多詳細的信息:Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or the American Cancer Society.
從 American Cancer Society 我摘出一些有用的鏈接:
Options for the uninsured
Prescription Drug Assistance
6. 參加一個低收入的處方藥計劃 : 問問你的醫生, 他們知道一些便宜的處方藥計劃, some drugstores and discount stores now offer certain generic drugs at very low prices. Most of the time, these do not include cancer drugs -- although some offer tamoxifen in their programs. Even people with insurance may be able to lower their co-payments and save money by getting some of their medicines at very low cost ( often $4 to $10 for each refill ).
其它的幫助, See the section " Financial issues: Getting help with living expenses " for ideas on help with non-medical expenses.
注: 以上鏈接的信息來自: Health Insurance and Financial Assistance for the Cancer Patient
這幾天感冒, 第一天發現聲音莫名其妙地啞了, 就沒上班; 第二天無熱度, 隻幹咳; 今天繼續幹咳、鼻塞. 發現鼻子聞不出任何味了. 不敢上班去傳染人, 所以就喝水、睡覺、起床、吃喝、走動、繼續睡. 下樓吃老公煮好的熱餛飩湯時, 剛好讀到這個問貼, 就寫一些我知道的. 不足之處請其他人補充. 各位晚安!
閩姑好！這是怎麽回事？你這貼是2012-02-14的貼，怎麽現在才讀到？
好暈啊！