Looks like rebroken thumb, can't afford hospital. Help?

Gonna keep this as short as I can cos its a pain to type with one hand. Looks like I may have broken my thumb earlier- again. Broke it a couple months ago (for sure) loading lumber with my friend Robert. Didn't go to hospital because I can't afford it. Looks like I broke it again today at Robert's house- we were play-fighting while working, and he grabbed my thumb to bend it in on itself (that old submission trick) and all we heard was a bunch of popping and grating. Hurt like hell, and I'm no stranger to pain.
It's swollen and purplish red, can't move it, and that great lump is there again on the back of the lower thumb digit- definitely broken, same spot.
But thing is, I still can't afford to go anywhere for treatment- I don't have a dollar to my name right now. Last time, I was able to get a sort of thumb splint from my dad, but he no longer has it. What should I do- any recommendations?

 

Hospital emergency rooms usually offer financial assistance, meaning they pay for everything.

 

But I get billed later right?

 

If you go in and apply for charity care you should be good. Its designed for people not working or making under a certain amount per year.

 

Obamacare

 

They are correct, get your ass to an E.R. and fixed up.

 

Local hospital here does that. While throwing millions into renovations and new construction. I should work in health care...

 

Sounds like the hospital I work at haha.

 

They sale thumb stents at the pharmacy. But ya gotta align the bone for it to heal right.

 

Men have been typing one handed since the advent of the internet!


However there are 1000's of free medical clinics all over the U.S. that will treat you if you can not afford it. You simply need to fill out some paperwork and will typically be seen right after. Google is your friend, not Tacomaworld.

This took me 10 seconds to type, now go get your thumb fixed and good luck.

http://www.chesapeakecare.org/index/

 

Popsicle sticks and tape make great splints but if you've maybe busted it twice you need to get it looked at by a professional or you could end up with range of motion isues and lose full use of your finger.

 

go to the county hospital. your thumb is important to have.

 

go to e.r.

wait for $2000+ bill in the mail

 

I called my boss and told him. We are leaving for the ER now, he is paying. I told him to take it out of my pay but he says no, don't worry about it.

Good thing I'm ambidextrous.

 

Fixed that for you. If you have an acute health pathology, the emergency room HAS to treat you and stabilize you. They can't turn you away by federal law.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMTALA

However: You will be billed for services. The best thing to do about this is be proactive. Financial assistance applications are a good start. Get contact info for the hospital's financial assistance/billing dept. and start working on a payment agreement from day one. If you're in regular contact with them/working with them, they're more likely to give you slack here and there rather than sending you to collections as soon as you miss one payment.

One more thing: Stop playfighting with your fucking friend until your thumb has actually healed. Fractures take weeks to months to heal. Don't test your luck until 2013. You probably re-fractured and worsened your previous healing injury.

 

That looks painful.

 

Last break was 6 months ago, guess it didn't heal right.
Heading out now to ER, boss just got here.

 

Quite possibly. Involving professionals would be a good idea at this point. I say that with bias: I am one.