How Can I Find a Doctor???

My husband has Crohn's disease and we are not able to afford health insurance. He desperately needs to see a specialist so he can begin medication. He is in extreme pain and is usually unable to walk. I feel so helpless watching him waste away. Do any specialists see patients pro bono? He is a veteran, if that makes any difference. The VA has not been helpful at all, FYI.

Hi, welcome to the forum. Are there any free clinics in your area? Can your husband get anything like disability, SSI, etc? (There's a disability/unemployment support group here that you might want to read through for more info.) You may try to get subsidized/low income type insurance through your state, as well. I know in Wisconsin the program for low-income families is called Badger Care, so see if there's something like that in your state. If you can find a doctor to see, they may be able to give you a bunch of free samples of medication to keep your husband going for at least a little while. I hope that helped a little bit. Good luck and hang in there!

Oh wow, if he is veteran the VA should be able to help him. Have you taken him to a VA hospital where you live? My dad is with the VA and they are suppose to help with covering medical costs and prescriptions. I know my dads friend is also in the VA and he gets his heart medications covered that way. I am so sorry your hubby is going through this. The VA should be able to get him to a specialist. I know my dads buddy who has the heart issue, well he had been seeing a heart specialist for years and the doctor was not a doctor for the VA, but they still cover the costs when he see's this heart doctor since he had been with him for years and did not want to switch doctors. Please look into this, the VA HAS to help your husband..

ashleyleann24 said:

My husband has Crohn's disease and we are not able to afford health insurance. He desperately needs to see a specialist so he can begin medication. He is in extreme pain and is usually unable to walk. I feel so helpless watching him waste away. Do any specialists see patients pro bono? He is a veteran, if that makes any difference. The VA has not been helpful at all, FYI.

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I'm not sure about what's involved with the VA but believe he should receive treatment from them. I'm not sure if your state will be involved with Obamacare but starting next month you can enroll in affordable healthcare plans and maybe one will suit you.

The only other thing I can think of besides what's mentioned above is going to the ER. They can't refuse you care but the only issue is that its a temporary fix and he needs long term management. It might be a bandaid fix though till you can figure something out. I'm so sorry you are stuck in this position.

You have a lot of clinics in your area that may be free or will do a sliding scale or generally help out low income patients: http://www.freemedicalsearch.org/cit/ks-overland_park

I agree with looking into getting him approved for SSI or SSDI. Being a veteran may help him qualify faster. http://www.ssa.gov/disability/