Before moving to Delaware ..... (health insurance, credit card, bankruptcy)

[PJ1252]

I moved to the lower slower part of Delaware and love it here, however if you do not have some form of health insurance be it private Medicade or Medicare it may not be a good idea to relocate here.
In the process of getting a new set of doctors I found if you don't have some form of health insurance they don't want to treat you. I have told the doctors I would pay cash up front by check, credit card or even currency but the response was "we are not set up to take cash". It has been a fight to find the doctors I feel are good to treat me. Since I have 5 more years to be eligible for Medicare I'm thinking do I stay and continue the fight or move.
For those considering relocating this is the only drawback I have found. I have found the people of Delaware to be warm and friendly. I couldn't ask for better neighbors. I feel their taxation rates are reasonable and helpful to those retired.
If you have some form of health insurance I feel confident in saying you will love it here as I did until I came across this crazy little glich in the system.

[nuts2uiam]

Were you uninsured prior to your move? I am not trying to pry but rather wondering how you made it prior to your move. Did you allow your insurance to lapse due to circumstances, or have you been uninsured for a while? Only asking since that might play into your eligibility. Can you use a credit card? Are there pre existing conditions?

[jtcelts]

]I thought the people’s republic of Delaware - where democrats rule- were supposed to have compassion and look after the un-insured etc ...... I mean that’s what your Joe Biden says. What happened there

[PJ1252]

No, I didn't let my insurance lapse COBRA is not available when a company closes down for any reason including bankruptcy. So my last day there was my last day of health insurance. I did contact the insurance company that my employer used as well as 3 other insurance companies however for someone my age the price was astronomical.
I can use a credit card but the response is "we are not set up to handle cash" using a credit card is considered cash as it is not an insurance claim.

[nuts2uiam]

OK, I understand now. However, all may not be lost. Losing Cobra due to your situation is still a qualifying event and you may be able to pick up another policy. Here is a very helpful link. https://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ehi...sid=NATIONAL+2 Good luck.

[DelawareLiz]

PJ1252, I am sorry to hear this. Wow, they won't accept cash... that's crazy. However, people on welfare (Medicaid) can be treated without any problem, but not a paying person?? Uggg.

[PJ1252]

Believe me its the craziest thing I have every come across. What happened to that expression "in G-d we trust all others pay cash"
Thank for the link, I will take a look, thanks again everyone

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by PJ1252

Believe me its the craziest thing I have every come across. What happened to that expression "in G-d we trust all others pay cash"
Thank for the link, I will take a look, thanks again everyone

Have you actually talked to the DOCTOR as opposed to the office staff? Let me tell you that most doctors will fall out of their chair for patients who 1) pay cash and 2) for whom there is no insurance company involved..

Several years ago, when between jobs, I negotiated a cash rate with all my doctors (even though I was covered by my wife's insurance). They did NOT have to do any of the paper filing - for which they were grateful.

[DelawareLiz]

^^^^^good suggestion, jlawrence01. I sure do feel for this situation. I was without health insurance for over a year after my divorce many years ago, and it was awful. I'd get sick because of my allergies and couldn't afford to go to the doctor. I sure hope there is a doctor out there who can help you, PJ1252.

[SXMGirl]

Try one of the medical aid units that you will find throughout the state. I have seen people in them without insurance. Just make sure that you ask for a doctor and not a nurse practitioner if you are really sick. All medical aid units have doctors on staff and on duty, some for part of the day and some for 24 hours.

I also agree about talking directly with a doctor and not the office staff. Your local pharmacist might be able to help in finding a doctor who will accept cash.