Medical Options without Insurance - Illinois

[FreshJR]

Hi guys,  I'm between a rock and a hard place right now.  Serious story, im NOT asking for money

My girlfriend of six years might have colon cancer.  Does anyone have any insight into her medical options without insurance?  Advice would really be appreciated.

Long Story:

She and I are both 21 years old and have been together for six years now.  A little history on her financial situation.  Her father left her before she was born. Her mom remained a single mother.  With these circumstances she didn't have money growing up, but at least she had state funded insurance, a house, food, a clothes.

Fast forwarding to 3 months ago, she developed a bump that comes and goes under her lower left rib that causes a lot of pain.  Initially she ignored it for a month, hoping it gets better on its own because she didn't have access to a doctor.

I was very worried, and with enough research we went to the county hospital, given partial insurance for that hospital to get her diagnosed as a low income patient.  Her blood work came back fine and she had to wait 3 more months to see an intestinal specialist. He checked her and opted for more bloodtests.  He mentioned it might be colon disease or a colon cancer  It will have to be another 3 months to see the colon doctor if the bloodwork shows up clean.   I believe they can't know whats going on without any medical imaging and only bloodtests.

I fear for the worst and don't think she is currently getting the proper medical attention.  I have enough cash on hand to cover the colonoscopy/diagnosis.

I am a student, right now I have $300 cash, $436 bitcoins waiting to clear, $4000 savings that I have to get my parents to withdraw, $3000 car (that I have to sell - illiquid), $400 pc, $200 cell phone.  That is all the money I can possibly come up with and I will part with everything in the blink of the eye no problem.  The problem is that its still not close to being enough.  I have no problems racking up a huge medical debt, and paying it off for a long time, even if the treatment is not successful, given that option.  Soon I will be searching for a full time job, and will have the means to pay off debt.

Currently I have enough for the diagnosis, but do I have any further options if something serious shows up?  

Here is everything I came up with, from most likely to least likely.

• Right now she is still "healthy" on her medical record.  She can apply for insurance, but I fear they will drop her as soon as she goes for treatment
• I will pay out of cash for the diagnosis, and she can apply for insurance for people with pre-existing conditions.
• I graduate college in May-June, if I find a job off the bat, we can get married and get insurance through my employer (rough job market)
• Wait 3 months for colon doctor
• Wait 13 months for Obama universal healthcare
• Ask to loan money from everyone in my family

[1715544963]

1715544963

[1715544963]

1715544963

[1715544963]

1715544963

[1715544963]

1715544963

[mufa23]

My girlfriend of six years might have colon cancer.  Does anyone have any insight into her medical options without insurance?  Advice would really be appreciated.

Pay for the colonoscopy and test, find out if she actually has cancer before freaking out. X-Rays aren't too costly. I think they are somewhere around $100 if you pay out of pocket. Colonoscopy shouldn't cost much either. Any U.S. hospital will not deny care even if you are flat broke and they know you won't pay up. And if it's cancer, and malignant, then the care can cost thousands. You usually don't have to pay it all at once. You can setup some sort of deal where you pay monthly, and overtime you'll pay off the treatment. Perhaps even after you get your degree, and are making good money. And yes, after it's been confirmed as cancer, try to get some financial help from family and close friends.

Don't bother trying to lie to the insurance companies. They are good at spotting this stuff, and they'll know that the cancer started before you bought the insurance. And there is the possibility that they won't even cover your particular care/operation.

[FreshJR]

My girlfriend of six years might have colon cancer.  Does anyone have any insight into her medical options without insurance?  Advice would really be appreciated.

Pay for the colonoscopy and test, find out if she actually has cancer before freaking out. X-Rays aren't too costly. I think they are somewhere around $100 if you pay out of pocket. Colonoscopy shouldn't cost much either. Any U.S. hospital will not deny care even if you are flat broke and they know you won't pay up. And if it's cancer, and malignant, then the care can cost thousands. You usually don't have to pay it all at once. You can setup some sort of deal where you pay monthly, and overtime you'll pay off the treatment. Perhaps even after you get your degree, and are making good money. And yes, after it's been confirmed as cancer, try to get some financial help from family and close friends.

Don't bother trying to lie to the insurance companies. They are good at spotting this stuff, and they'll know that the cancer started before you bought the insurance. And there is the possibility that they won't even cover your particular care/operation.

Thanks for the great advice.  This is way better then the crap I've been seeing a google.

If everything comes back clean, you can bet ill throw some bitcoin your way for your time

[goxed]

Take her to India or Poland. Round trip tickets to Poland would be $800 - $1K. I had my thyroid treated in Poland (Warsaw, Alkamed) for less than USD 200.
In India I got my so many blood tests, echocardiogram, ultrasounds, for less than $200 out of pocket. I was staying in a place called gurgaon, near delhi, and lots of young professional work there, and doctors were awesome (I went to Apollo clinic). US healthcare is shit!

[RodeoX]

Take her to India or Poland. Round trip tickets to Poland would be $800 - $1K. I had my thyroid treated in Poland (Warsaw, Alkamed) for less than USD 200.
In India I got my so many blood tests, echocardiogram, ultrasounds, for less than $200 out of pocket. I was staying in a place called gurgaon, near delhi, and lots of young professional work there, and doctors were awesome (I went to Apollo clinic). US healthcare is shit!

This is a good option. It is a myth that one receives better healthcare in the US. The doctor who performs your surgery in Lithuania will use the same tools and techniques as anywhere in the U.S. But you will pay a lot less, and you can even combine it with a vacation.