Thinking of going to a free clinic. Need some advice. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

CityOfAngels · 08-20-2004, 09:39 PM

OK here's the problem:
I'm broke, but I have a job. There is a possibility that I might have cancer, but there's no way for me to tell before I get a doctor to look at it and diagnose me. I live in California, and need to know what types of questions they ask if you go to a free clinic. Is there an income limit? In the end, do you need to compensate for the service? How is privacy affected? I just don't want to go in there and they say, "Sorry, you get paid too much." What information do I have to have prepared before I walk in there and request medical attention?

Any help/advice will be greatly appreciated.

CityOfAngels · 08-21-2004, 11:17 AM

Once again any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

maleficent · 08-21-2004, 11:38 AM

you have no medical insurance thru your employer? Can you get it?

I'm assuming you live in Los Angeles... Googling found this place:
http://losangelesmission.org/about/lamcc.html

It doesn't say anything about income requirements, however, if you are getting a service from them, and you are employed (and you are concerned about making too much money to be treated), if they do treat you, a donation would be in order. but not mandatory.

Confidentiality in clinics, I know refers to AIDS and HIV screenings and treatment, I'd imagine it would apply to all medical care as well.

The only time I have been to a clinic, was in NYC when I had to go for a TB screening before volunteering, and for an AIDS test before volunteering with babies. The AIDS test I as never asked my name, I was given a number. The TB test, I was asked to fill out a form, but never asked for identification so they dont know if the info was accurate

CityOfAngels · 08-21-2004, 01:42 PM

Thing is I'm a private contractor and the person who is supposed to sign my check has been on jury duty for quite some time. Thanks for the advice!

matteo101 · 08-21-2004, 02:05 PM

Why do you think that you have cancer?

combatmedicjen · 08-21-2004, 07:01 PM

Yes, what has led you to believe that you might have cancer? What are your symptoms? Have you had any tests done?

CityOfAngels · 08-21-2004, 10:03 PM

Once again I said "might." It's a bit personal, but in the past month, a lump has shown up, and after a few days, it got smaller, so I thought it was just a clogged gland or something that would go away. But it started to get big again, and now it's at a slow but steady growing pace, and is painful when irritated. There's no head to it so it's not a blackhead or a pimple.

I'll add that it's in an area where lumps are a scary sight to see. Let me just say that I've avoided women because of this occurrence.

VitaminH · 08-22-2004, 07:00 PM

Lumps can come from any number of causes, but it's a good idea to get it checked out.

No matter where you go, confidentiality is a federally mandated thing. There's a disgusting amount of laws about protecting health information and the like and it won't be compromised by going to a free clinic.

CityOfAngels · 08-22-2004, 09:47 PM

Thanks! I guess I'll just have to go on a day that I have time then. I've gone w/ my ex before when she got her first UTI, and it was a six-hour process. I wasn't in the room w/ her and her doctor so I didn't know what questions they asked.

08-20-2004, 09:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
CityOfAngels Oh shit it's Wayne Brady! Location: Passenger seat of Wayne Brady's car.	Thinking of going to a free clinic. Need some advice. OK here's the problem: I'm broke, but I have a job. There is a possibility that I might have cancer, but there's no way for me to tell before I get a doctor to look at it and diagnose me. I live in California, and need to know what types of questions they ask if you go to a free clinic. Is there an income limit? In the end, do you need to compensate for the service? How is privacy affected? I just don't want to go in there and they say, "Sorry, you get paid too much." What information do I have to have prepared before I walk in there and request medical attention? Any help/advice will be greatly appreciated.

08-21-2004, 11:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	you have no medical insurance thru your employer? Can you get it? I'm assuming you live in Los Angeles... Googling found this place: http://losangelesmission.org/about/lamcc.html It doesn't say anything about income requirements, however, if you are getting a service from them, and you are employed (and you are concerned about making too much money to be treated), if they do treat you, a donation would be in order. but not mandatory. Confidentiality in clinics, I know refers to AIDS and HIV screenings and treatment, I'd imagine it would apply to all medical care as well. The only time I have been to a clinic, was in NYC when I had to go for a TB screening before volunteering, and for an AIDS test before volunteering with babies. The AIDS test I as never asked my name, I was given a number. The TB test, I was asked to fill out a form, but never asked for identification so they dont know if the info was accurate __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

08-21-2004, 10:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
CityOfAngels Oh shit it's Wayne Brady! Location: Passenger seat of Wayne Brady's car.	Once again I said "might." It's a bit personal, but in the past month, a lump has shown up, and after a few days, it got smaller, so I thought it was just a clogged gland or something that would go away. But it started to get big again, and now it's at a slow but steady growing pace, and is painful when irritated. There's no head to it so it's not a blackhead or a pimple. I'll add that it's in an area where lumps are a scary sight to see. Let me just say that I've avoided women because of this occurrence. Last edited by CityOfAngels; 08-21-2004 at 10:05 PM..

08-22-2004, 07:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
VitaminH An embarrassment to myself and those around me... Location: Pants	Lumps can come from any number of causes, but it's a good idea to get it checked out. No matter where you go, confidentiality is a federally mandated thing. There's a disgusting amount of laws about protecting health information and the like and it won't be compromised by going to a free clinic. __________________ "Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever." - Napoleon Bonaparte

08-21-2004, 11:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
CityOfAngels Oh shit it's Wayne Brady! Location: Passenger seat of Wayne Brady's car.	Once again any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

08-21-2004, 01:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
CityOfAngels Oh shit it's Wayne Brady! Location: Passenger seat of Wayne Brady's car.	Thing is I'm a private contractor and the person who is supposed to sign my check has been on jury duty for quite some time. Thanks for the advice!

08-21-2004, 02:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
matteo101 In transition Location: north, no south abit, over to the right, getting warmer...there!	Why do you think that you have cancer?

08-21-2004, 07:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
combatmedicjen Banned	Yes, what has led you to believe that you might have cancer? What are your symptoms? Have you had any tests done?

08-22-2004, 09:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
CityOfAngels Oh shit it's Wayne Brady! Location: Passenger seat of Wayne Brady's car.	Thanks! I guess I'll just have to go on a day that I have time then. I've gone w/ my ex before when she got her first UTI, and it was a six-hour process. I wasn't in the room w/ her and her doctor so I didn't know what questions they asked.