Do I have a substantial rights violation?

Question

My wife is bipolar and unfortunately due to some bad times with us we had been receiving state assistance for her mental health.  Don't think of us for some leaches, we weren't receiving food stamps, medicaid, or cash assistance (welfare in my state), just help with 3 medications and my wife seeing a psychiatrist. This is actually state law that certain people get free mental health help so they don't kill themselves.   We are actually getting out of the program because of last week I got health insurance because I finally got a good job that gave us insurance (read good job, above minimum wage, and full time with decent insurance).  

The issue is that my wife had not been getting the services granted to her because the office was continuously cancelling her appointments.  They only had two doctors and due to this there was the issue of the appointments were always canceled and they would not be able to rebook them for some 3-4 months.  My wife hasn't seen her doctor since about September or October.  Tonight she had to be hospitalized for a few days and most likely getting us a massive bill, because she hasn't seen her doctor for what should be a monthly appointment in almost five or six.  She tried to get an emergency appointment earlier this week (the original appointment was last Thursday which got canceled), and they said they didn't have anything until June.  Do we have a violation of her rights?

Anonymous User · Answer

I would say no, and this is why: I am assuming while you are receiving assistance, you are required to see approved doctors correct? So, in reality, there are only X number of doctors who can see people receiving the assistance. If this is the case, these physicians are already strapped to the gills and burdened with too many patients that they cannot possibly see everyone. This is not the doctors fault, it is the systems fault for not being able to provide. But, then again it is not their fault because they will say "at least you got SOME assistance" bla bla bla. I know something about this because I know how the public defender system works for criminals who cannot afford counsel. There are only 2-3 to cover 75 people a day in some cases and that is not a joke or exaggeration. In all likely hood, there is absolutely nothing you can do. The money you would spend on a lawyer to try and get someone to hear the case would cost WAY more than her doctor bill at the hospital. At least now she can get help with your new insurance.

? · Answer

No. No where does it say that she has the RIGHT to see a free doctor once a month. Beggars can't be choosers.... and free help is not going to be quality help..... that's just how it works in this lovely country of ours. Nice isn't it. We aren't like other countries where healthcare IS a right..... here health care is a for profit game and if you can't pay then you can't play......  no one gives a crap. 

After you get the hospital bill call the billing department at the hospital and tell them that you are low income and can't afford the bill. There will likely be some paperwork and all but they wilol likely waive the bill. They did for my daughter who had to stay and have a skin graft for a brown recluse bite when she didn't have insurance. 

At least with health care reform there will be some sort of healht coverage available to everyone.

MeAgain · Answer

This is the phone number  for   NAMI   1 (800) 950-NAMI (6264),   The National Alliance on Mental Illness.     You can call Monday- Friday.

This is their website   www.nami.org

I'm sure they would know if  your  wife's rights were violated and what, if any  help is available to both of you.

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Do I have a substantial rights violation?

3 Answers