12-22-2008, 04:40 PM
These "kid care" health insurance programs are not necessarily free. Most do have a premium payment and co-pays. Parents are finding out that if they opt out, they can still take their kids to the hospital for free medical care (sniffles, ear aches, sore throat and other minor stuff that should be handled in a doctors office or clinic.)
Just hope and pray you never need emergency hospital care. Chances are you'll sit in the hallway for hours while the doctors treat little Jacks and Jills running a fever. Last time I needed emergency care (broken shoulder) I waited 2 hours surrounded by crying babies and whining pre-teens. Three of the parents spoke no English and couldn't fill out the forms or communicate with the doctors ergo prolonging the wait and tying up staff.
Now here's the kicker. As we drove to the drug store to get a pain meds prescription filled we drove right by the County health clinic. Not a car in sight. My guess is because the County charges a flat $20 co-pay for a visit as opposed to "free" Medicaid at the hospital.
Just hope and pray you never need emergency hospital care. Chances are you'll sit in the hallway for hours while the doctors treat little Jacks and Jills running a fever. Last time I needed emergency care (broken shoulder) I waited 2 hours surrounded by crying babies and whining pre-teens. Three of the parents spoke no English and couldn't fill out the forms or communicate with the doctors ergo prolonging the wait and tying up staff.
Now here's the kicker. As we drove to the drug store to get a pain meds prescription filled we drove right by the County health clinic. Not a car in sight. My guess is because the County charges a flat $20 co-pay for a visit as opposed to "free" Medicaid at the hospital.