Hey Everyone.
I don't really post threads here. I've been far more of a reader, but I've just had one of the scariest moments of my life. About an hour ago, I woke up in my shower with my leg twisted behind me. The last thing I can remember is chest pain. Well I don't know that I'd say pain. More awareness. I felt my heart beating really hard, then I apparently blacked out. I've had mild panic attacks in the past, but nothing like this. One minute I feel fine (I think). The next I'm unconscious. I remember being stressed out about an appointment I have coming up and general anxieties with life. I just woke up in some of the worst pain I've felt in a very long time. And made even worse because your mind can't figure out what's going on when you wake up, so there's even more panic about how to get the pain to stop before you can realize what to do. So that's the background of what just happened. Now for the Health Services part.
I just moved to the area, so I don't know any doctors around here. I looked up the nearest on my phone and explained what just happened. Their first question is "What insurance do you have?" I respond, "I'm not sure at this moment. I think Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware. I don't know where my card is right now. Can I give you the information later?" She responds, "Well we need to know your insurance." I repsond "I think the card is in our bedroom, but I'm in the living room at the moment. I've hurt my leg rather badly. Is there any way I can give you the info later?" She says, No, before we can make an appointment, I'll need your insurance info." I ask if she can hold on as I don't know how easy it will be to make it to the bedroom. She waits several minutes as I make my way to the bed. I tell her that I can't find it at the moment, but I can call my wife to get it. I just need to be seen. She reponds, "Its ok as long as you can find it before you get here. The soonest we can see you is Wednesday morning."
Now I just spent 10 minutes on the phone with someone who heard what happened to me and made me drag myself to another room despite all the pain for an insurance card even though they don't plan on seeing me for 2 days. Now I'm laying down with my leg up just trying to relax until my wife gets home. For anyone who thinks the American Healthcare service is ok just the way it is, this is just my recent experience as someone who has insurance. I can't imagine how much harder it is for those who don't even have it now.