Idoodlecatz
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Please help I can't lose my dad
I've seen how amazing Imgur is to help people in need. I have been a lurker on here for about a year and some change now and didn't really think I would post anything but I really need help your guys I didn't know what else to do.... This is my Dad his name is William Isham he's 59 has four kids me, two older sister's and a younger brother. He's suffering from major heart problems that he needs a triple bypass surgery. He was scheduled that surgery this Wednesday but last night I came home from work and got the worst call in my entire life... The hospital won't accept is insurance, his surgeon does but not the hospital. His co-pay is 12.5k imgur my dad isn't rich nor are his kids. I'm not asking for a hand out, I'm asking you guys to save my dad's life... Here's his story https://www.gofundme.com/2jnmwhng
Meet my dad
This William Isham, he's a pretty cool loves to make the cornest dad jokes ever. Raised four kids, if we needed help he was there. If we needed advice on basically anything he was there. This guy taught me how to paint and freely express myself. I honestly don't know what I would've done with this amazing person in my life
This is his favorite Dad joke
He puts these pop eyes on his face, sit in a rolly chair and turns around whenever someone's around
Really loves that joke
I have WAY more pictures of his eye gag
I can't lose him imgur
I have so much more to say about him but words aren't enough.. Updates will be posted. *FRONT PAGE EDIT* oh my god guys I'm literally in tears right thank you so much for everyone's wishes comments, concerns, just everything guys this is why I came here. thank you and the big man himself says God Bless. UPDATE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!! click here for my most recent post it explains mostly all the questions and ALL the context I can offer http://imgur.com/gallery/QHBWk CAT TAX INCLUDED
PatchKed
You should put on an event to raise money, maybe try jumping like 12 buses or something, that's good for raising money, I've seen it work :)
ByrneForTheWin
I hope you will find money
roflsnake
12.5k$ for surgery? That's just pure cruelty.
EdwardPenisFingerzz
I'm sorry for the situation you're in, I really am, but something just seems off about this whole thing. I wish you the best of luck.
rasclartrambo
If only you guys had the NHS
SignificantDeficiency
Donated 20 bucks. I lost my dad a while ago. I hope you don't lose yours @idoodlecatz
JeaPi
Come to Canada for a weekend.
heylookoverthere
If TV has taught me anything, you need to start cooking Meth.
jackhaughey
Fucks sake...not another Gofundme page.
Frontinac
I know I am going to get hit hard for this, but based on ALL of the information the others have stated, I feel there are other options. 1/2
Frontinac
and that another doctor at another hospital could help. Imgur is QUICKLY becoming the place to try and gain funds for other projects. 2/2
RalphysMom
I live with in a pretty small city and we have two hospitals. Is there not another near by? Your doc could refer. They know other good docs.
donorkort
This is definitely a scam. You would think that a woman who creates a gofundme would also at least share it on Facebook, but no, she hasn't.
weneedmorequestions
As a german, i do not understand the american way of your health service. I will keep my fingers cross for your dad, op!
Greymalum
I am not certain all your options are exhausted for your dad. Have you spoken to a insurance professional or sought law advice?
pelusita35
Sometimes in grave situations getting a local news crew involved helps the insurance co reconsider their decisions
Greymalum
true, but we have no idea who is really getting this money, it could be fraudulent.
pelusita35
Truly. If it's not fraudulent the news can help
Greymalum
I don't feel comfortable giving my cash to a kid, that sounds amiss.
codeorange
Ask the surgeon to apply for privileges at a hospital that accepts his insurance, or just go to a hospital that accepts his insurance?
pelusita35
Some hospitals have really poor survival ratings (post op/mrsa/ etc) so sometimes it's worth going elsewhere
Idoodlecatz
I will try to answer as many questions as I can guts I'm sorry I posted this at work and still working. I can only briefly view imgur.
NCGibbon
Have surgery and fill bankruptcy after if needed. You won't lose your dad.
justahumanbeing
They wont do surgury alot of times till atleast half the money is already paid
dangerkitty
Bankruptsy requires you to sell what you can to make payment. It's not a magical debt eraser where you keep all your stuff.
bohjeenie
Well if your dad was on the line, maybe the Xbox can go on craigslist...
MyDogJake
That is messed up. -the rest of the world
GrizzlyWicks
hope all goes well OP but if this is another front for a meth business im ginna be so pissed
HereToSatisfyMyBoredom
I wish you and your dad the best of luck.
AlbertContreras87
Hope everything works out
lukas9356
Id reccomend starting to get a loan or setting up for it. Just in case the funding wont work out.
saintjocks
I hope it works but damn is america stupid, you need to do these kind of things to actually stay alive.
APrettyFdupOhLaLa
I will never understand the American health care system. All the best for you and your family!
Jutana
Bullshit. If he's dying. They'll do the surgery. What sort of copay is 12.5k?
whatexactlyisthefunctionofarubberduck
1/2 'unless I come up with $6,500 on the day of surgery, they cannot admit me!' Can you perhaps get a loan out? Pay it back bit by
whatexactlyisthefunctionofarubberduck
2/2 bit but have the money for the operation day?
jenmovies
I'm so sorry you need money for life saving surgery. :(
AlwaysAGent
Not to be a dick, but can you and your siblings co-sign a 3-5 year bank loan for the short term to meet immediate cash needs?
AlwaysAGent
PM if you would like coaching on how to do this. If your credit scores are low there are steps to increase them.
MyDogJake
I could use some tricks to improve my credit score...
AlwaysAGent
Hope the gofundme does the trick, just pointing out one alternative if it falls short.
Idoodlecatz
Thanks for the advise! I'll see what I can do with my bank my brother is a minor so he won't be able to sign for a loan but I'll check it!!
pelusita35
What a great idea! And you are kind to advise!!!
whatexactlyisthefunctionofarubberduck
When do you need the money by? Wednesday? How can we know this is legit?
ffswtfomg
.
freakinuniform
I've been burned donating before, so I am also wary...
JuliaY
This. He said that it's the only surgeon who will do it at his age, but I've seen people much older getting open heart surgery.
LadyLamington
Wanna offer funds, not sure if legit, awaiting further info
Loadingggg
Wow @OP I honestly couldn't live without my dad. He is my best friend.I can't even begin to imagine what you must be going through.Good luck
ThePresidentOfStrayaOFFICIAL
I'm so sorry about your Dad. What the fuck is wrong with your country that you need to raise funds for a pretty basic surgery on gofundme?
nix711
The price of freedom
MadMupp
There is that... Although you know America is just 1 in a long list of countries that enjoy freedom?
nix711
I was being sarcastic, the US is joke buddy
GoBlue
It's because the hospital is out of network. If he goes to an in-network hospital, it would cost him a couple grand max.
robdavy
In the rest of the developed world, this isn't a thing. You go to a hospital
GoBlue
Certain hospitals only accept certain insurance companies for reasons that I can't explain in 140 characters.
OscarTopping
Such a shame to think that if I wasn't in the UK I wouldn't have been able to enjoy the last few years of my grandmother's company
[deleted]
[deleted]
Mikefreakinhart
Thanks Obama
Muchbeefsodinner
What's wrong with him. Obamacare should cover heart surgery
ThePresidentOfStrayaOFFICIAL
What you need is more Obamacare. Not less. But your elected Congress? "Nah, fuck that."
radicalTedposting
Well we need a better version of Obamacare. And less right wingers. And less two party system/.
skipweasel
And importantly, does everyone who has this happen vote in a way to stop it happening again?
skoomaddict
Its pretty fucked up but not as fucked up as keeping the youth stuck here with no options of leaving becouse were so far in debt cuz of SL's
skoomaddict
Dont have the option. Health system is privately owned meaning they can do literally whatever they want
skipweasel
So vote for political parties with the will to do something about it.
Tequilaislife
Oh shit @skipweasel just figured it out! Hey everyone, just vote for the guys who will give free health care! So simple! Guys!??!
xrufus7x
We tried. It got stripped by the opposition party and special interest groups.
LeftCollectionBlueBird
Yeah. My moms house is foreclosing tomorrow even though her disability exempt her from taxes. She got a 3 day warning, on a weekend. 1/
LeftCollectionBlueBird
There's nothing we can do. :L 2/2
cptcr
exempt from taxes is not the same as exempt from a mortgage
cptcr
and you probably should have squatters rights... just don't leave the house. They can't force you out, just don't open the door
cptcr
have you seen who's running to be our president and how much they have to raise to run? We're corrupt and fucked.
pelusita35
And the veterans hosp spent $20 million for art over a decade. Meanwhile turning away veterans.
cptcr
probably art drawn by a politicians spouse
pelusita35
One piece was a sculpture for a clinic for the blind. The art purchased in San Fran was the cheapest and classiest. Pics of the local area
laststand34
Great isn't it, I can't even afford basic care, I have a knee on its way out and can't go see a doc to find out what's medically wrong
NewtGinGrinch
My herniated disk is pinching my sciatic nerve. Been in pain for two months no. No one will do anything but prescribe pain pills.
LabyrinthCharm
Of course because they want you to become addicted so that they can look down on you too while not helping anything.
weezinator
How about having the surgery done at an in network hospital? Seems like a pretty easy way to save $12.5k
glassweaver
If hiis doc takes his ins but hospital doesn't...does his ins not cover the operation at any of the hospitals this doc contracts through?
chickenfajita
Correct, and most hospitals will only not take certain HMO's vs. Government insurance...
Greymalum
I am interested why there is no reply. Maybe I am impatient for @OP
seentoomuchdeath
Maybe he's at the hospital being with dad instead of us? Traitor.
pelusita35
Truly messed up priorities on his part.
MancrushonThor
Yeah you're always free to find a new heart surgeon at a hospital that is in network. I bet the current doc even knows a guy
weezinator
Also, if he's going to die without this surgery, that's considered emergent thus they can't ask for money before performing the surgery
Greymalum
Another great question.
paddleup
Correct, but then he would still get the bill for services provided.
therecanbeonlyone2
. Cause I was thinking the same thing.
CloudCider
Hmmmmmm
natistar
That is true. The hospital would call the doctor and speak with them and they literally declare it a "medically urgent case" so at the point
natistar
It needs to get done with a bill mailed. Now they will still try and collect as much so just say what you feel comfortable paying.
Idoodlecatz
He's finally found a surgeon his age and willingness to work on him and with him during the aftercare. Setting him on a strict diet.And such
Danielleosaur
Why does the surgeon have to be his age? Or is that a typo?
Bobwithglasses
I'm pretty sure it is. He means a surgeon willing to take the risks with the surgery I believe
natistar
There's a loophole that he can possibly go through the ER. Since it's through ER he does not need to pay upfront. (I work at a hospital )
natistar
Also does he have a Medicare PPO plan?
MancrushonThor
They'll transfer you to a hospital that takes your insurance or send you home and tell you to follow up if it's not life threatening
natistar
Not necessarily. It happens all the time where I work
ChaoticJen
Ask if the Doc can work at an in-network hospital. Sometimes they have agreements for others in the area, or maybe he can get one. 1/?
ChaoticJen
Honestly at 59 your dad should be able to easily find another doc to help unless there are other issues you're not sharing. Also, why is 2/?
ChaoticJen
the doc working at a place that doesn't take the insurance of his patients? Another last option is approach the hospital and negotiate. 3/4
ChaoticJen
Sometimes they will take a less lump sum up front rather than hoping to get more over time. /end
Idoodlecatz
The hospital is Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater and it is out of network. His doctor works only at Morton Plant. MP accepts most But 1/
ShuffleBoars
My Mother is a patient financing specialist. I.E. Finds money for people who need it for procedures. PM me, I might be able to help!
Idoodlecatz
accepts most insurances BUT Florida Blue Select, which is my dad's insurance. All hospitals in Pinellas county are run through Morton P 2/
ChaoticJen
Holy shit, Pinellas? PM me, my mom works in Pasco county as a RN and might know someone.
Idoodlecatz
My dad could go to all the hospitals that the doctor is referred to but still have the same problem. The doctor only works in Pinellas couty