If you are on medicaid, you can't be self pay patient?? (fit in, insurance)

[useruseruser]

So i am full time student with part time job. Last year, i applied for medicaid since i dont make lot of money.I am very thankful of having it since it has helped me when i got sick. Currently, i am having medical emergency which requires me to see specialist. I probably will have to go under many tests and procedure. Now most specialist under Medicaid have horrible reviews so i don't want to go to them if i have to get any procedure done. I want to go to good doctor even if they don't take medicaid. I am fine with being self pay patient. But after calling around valley what i learnt was that since i have medicaid, they wont take me as self pay patient. I told them i have emergency and need to be seen soon. But they said there is nothing much they could do. I am in deseperate need of seeing doctor and this people has left me hanging. This may sound bit crazy but i am on verge of going to my home state to get this done.

I just feel helpless, its depressing.

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by useruseruser

So i am full time student with part time job. Last year, i applied for medicaid since i dont make lot of money.I am very thankful of having it since it has helped me when i got sick. Currently, i am having medical emergency which requires me to see specialist. I probably will have to go under many tests and procedure. Now most specialist under Medicaid have horrible reviews so i don't want to go to them if i have to get any procedure done. I want to go to good doctor even if they don't take medicaid. I am fine with being self pay patient. But after calling around valley what i learnt was that since i have medicaid, they wont take me as self pay patient. I told them i have emergency and need to be seen soon. But they said there is nothing much they could do. I am in deseperate need of seeing doctor and this people has left me hanging. This may sound bit crazy but i am on verge of going to my home state to get this done.

I just feel helpless, its depressing.

This is what I have read over and over again from dozens of sources:

It is illegal for Medicaid patients to pay cash. The reason is because the Federal Government figures that if you can afford cash then you don't qualify for Medicaid, because it is supposed to be a program for people who do not have enough money to pay for medical care.

It makes sense. Anyone reading your post above is probably wondering why you're on Medicaid if you can afford to self-pay for specialists and, as you say, "many tests and procedures."

[useruseruser]

Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat

This is what I have read over and over again from dozens of sources:

It is illegal for Medicaid patients to pay cash. The reason is because the Federal Government figures that if you can afford cash then you don't qualify for Medicaid, because it is supposed to be a program for people who do not have enough money to pay for medical care.

It makes sense. Anyone reading your post above is probably wondering why you're on Medicaid if you can afford to self-pay for specialists and, as you say, "many tests and procedures."

Not literally cash but my credit card. And i live with roommates and live cheap.I have some that would cover test and my brother is helping out for procedure bill. But i do see your point. Actually, i have asked around and someone told me that docs dont make money off cash patient and with insurance, they can charge hefty. And medicaid is completly based of how much you make, since i am part time i don't make much to have my own private insurance.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by useruseruser

Not literally cash but my credit card. And i live with roommates and live cheap.I have some that would cover test and my brother is helping out for procedure bill. But i do see your point. Actually, i have asked around and someone told me that docs dont make money off cash patient and with insurance, they can charge hefty. And medicaid is completly based of how much you make, since i am part time i don't make much to have my own private insurance.

Most doctors have arrangements with insurance companies which discount their bills significantly, whereas with a cash patient they can charge whatever the market will bear. So it's actually the other way around, which is why doctors try to fit in as many patients as they can in a day, to make up for the discounted payments from insurance.