http://www.medminded.com/2009/06/hidden-cost-of-the-uninsured.html Musings on Health, Medicine, and the Art Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:35:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 http://www.medminded.com/2009/06/hidden-cost-of-the-uninsured.html/comment-page-1#comment-67 Scott Dessert Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:48:50 +0000 http://www.medminded.com/?p=99#comment-67 what frustrates me about this cycle is that I myself do not have insurance but my occupation accomidates those who ultimately drive up the prices. As BLS providers, under our protocols, we are FORCED to transport patients who need no immediate care, but rather a warm safe bed to "sleep it off." Because this is our only course of action in many cases, MY OWN ACTIONS make it even more difficult for me to acquire health insurance privately. what is even more ironic, that if I were to be injured on the job, there is no guarantee that I would be covered by my workplace insurance and would ultimately become one of the perpetuaters of this problem. a great example: while off duty I provided on scene care to a woman who was struck by a car. while working a piece of self provided PPE failed and I was exposed to the woman's blood. VFIS, nor my home department was willing to cover the cost of the tests I needed to take. I ended up covering the costs and found my results to be negative. BUT had the results come back positive I would have been UNINSURABLE. what frustrates me about this cycle is that I myself do not have insurance but my occupation accomidates those who ultimately drive up the prices. As BLS providers, under our protocols, we are FORCED to transport patients who need no immediate care, but rather a warm safe bed to “sleep it off.” Because this is our only course of action in many cases, MY OWN ACTIONS make it even more difficult for me to acquire health insurance privately. what is even more ironic, that if I were to be injured on the job, there is no guarantee that I would be covered by my workplace insurance and would ultimately become one of the perpetuaters of this problem. a great example: while off duty I provided on scene care to a woman who was struck by a car. while working a piece of self provided PPE failed and I was exposed to the woman’s blood. VFIS, nor my home department was willing to cover the cost of the tests I needed to take. I ended up covering the costs and found my results to be negative. BUT had the results come back positive I would have been UNINSURABLE.

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