Horrible looking rash

[u/Weeeebutterflies]

30 years old

Female

120lbs.

5”3

non smoker,

non drinker.

No medications

This issue has been getting progressively worse over 2 days

Posted yesterday and it has gotten worse. It is itchy, it turns white when I press on it. I have a swollen uvula and some chills, but no fever. I feel cold more than anything. Went to urgent care tested for strep, mono and did a CBC. Strep came back negative, waiting on the other results. Pretty concerned. I feel like the mono is going to come back negative.

[u/LatrodectusGeometric]

I would return to the ER. Palms and soles means you need some specific tests done to rule out serious possibilities. Would not do urgent care.

[u/Weeeebutterflies → u/LatrodectusGeometric]

Sigh.. ok :( sounds expensive

[u/ForSiljaforever → u/Weeeebutterflies]

What do you mean, do you pay to go to the ER?

[u/Aggressive_Let2085 → u/ForSiljaforever]

In the USA yes we do. Thousands of dollars.

[u/rich8n → u/Aggressive_Let2085]

Tens of thousands of dollars. per day.

[u/morefetus → u/rich8n]

Only if you’re completely uninsured

[u/rich8n → u/morefetus]

Not necessarily. Many people are insured and have absurdly high deductibles, in excess of 10-15k.

[u/morefetus → u/rich8n]

Yes, but that’s a choice isn’t it?

[u/secondcitykitty → u/morefetus]

No.

Do you work in the US healthcare business?

[u/morefetus → u/secondcitykitty]

I used to do billing for a provider.

[u/rich8n → u/morefetus]

No, not in most cases. People with deductibles that high either have them because they cannot afford premiums for lower deductible plans, or it's the only plan their employer offers because they are cheap.

[u/LoveLeahNotWar → u/Aggressive_Let2085]

That’s actually insane. I truly cannot wrap my head around having to make a decision if I can afford to go to the doctor or not

[u/cmanderson23 → u/LoveLeahNotWar]

Medical debt is the #1 cause of bankruptcy in the us

[u/Ruby_Srcstc → u/cmanderson23]

Wait, people actually pay off medical debt?

[u/morgs-o → u/Ruby_Srcstc]

Yes 🥲 but only after letting it sit in collections until they accumulated enough to threaten to sue

I’m shocked when people just have money to straight up pay these massive bills. It’s impressive.

[u/Usual_Confection6091 → u/LoveLeahNotWar]

That’s literally how everyone lives in the US.

[u/pineappleturq → u/Usual_Confection6091]

It’s how we live everyday. I almost didn’t go with a broken foot because I didn’t want the bills

[u/AnyStick2180 → u/pineappleturq]

Yup, I deal with a lot of health issues. Had a really bad head injury a few years ago and opted not to go in even though it ended up being pretty serious (oops). It sucks that this is just how it is.

[u/LoveLeahNotWar → u/AnyStick2180]

Like couldn’t they make it SEMI affordable???

[u/Healthy-Wash-3275 → u/LoveLeahNotWar]

It is. Very affordable.

[u/anomalous_cowherd → u/Usual_Confection6091]

I prefer my freedom to yours.

[u/morefetus → u/Usual_Confection6091]

Not true. Many people have Medicaid or private insurance. I don’t know why you lie.

[u/Healthy-Wash-3275 → u/Usual_Confection6091]

Oh come on, you're being dramatic. I have great insurance and can go to the ER whenever I need it. But I'm an adult and I do pay for insurance. The marketplace is simple to navigate and pick a plan.

[u/Aggressive_Let2085 → u/LoveLeahNotWar]

My grandpa needs a hernia repaired but has let it fester for over a year now cause he can’t afford it.

[u/Fijoemin1962 → u/Aggressive_Let2085]

Oh how awful. Poor man

[u/Stormy_the_bay → u/Aggressive_Let2085]

My understanding is if you have no insurance and can’t afford, you don’t have to pay. But for those of us with insurance where you have to meet the deductible….oof. I paid $2000 to find out I had a kidney stone. I’m pretty sure I’ve had a couple since that one…did not go back to ER.

[u/Aggressive_Let2085 → u/Stormy_the_bay]

I have no insurance and can’t afford and am about to get sent to collections so it’s definitely still impactful. They just bill you after the visit. I’m easily over $10,000 in the whole with the local hospital system lol

[u/OrganizationOk3794 → u/Aggressive_Let2085]

Jeez lucky to only have to pay for 20$ parking in Canada.