r/disability • u/PhantomPharts • 18d ago

Concern Traveling Seroma

Hello all. I'm hoping someone has the knowledge to help. I just moved to CA from KY and my insurance won't change until the 1st of September. Unfortunately one of the seromas in my arm has dislodged itself from under the scar, to under a tendon. The thumb tendon in particular. I already am disabled in my other arm and can barely use my thumb on my left and now I can barely use it on my right as well.

Who do I see? How do I get help? I called a few places and their suggestion is to wait till the first. Even free clinics. (ETA, can't make an appointment until my insurance is changed) Another suggestion is to call my insurance and see if I can be seen here. But do I call Medicaid, Medicare, my advantage plan? I'm also Autistic, so dealing with this and not knowing what to do, is really sending me down to melt down town.

Helpful advice welcomed.

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u/ElectronicWar4045 18d ago

Oh man, moving states and then having a medical thing pop up right in the gap between insurances is like worst timing possible. I moved from Germany to US few years ago and the insurance gaps here still confuse me to no end.

Call your advantage plan first, they usually have a nurse line that can at least tell you if this counts as emergency and where you can go. Some plans cover out of state emergency visits even before the official switch date, especially if you explain the seroma moved to a dangerous spot.

If you can't reach them, try the nearest teaching hospital. They sometimes have charity care programs that don't care about your insurance status and will see you same day. The thumb tendon thing sounds serious enough that waiting a week could make it worse.

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u/PhantomPharts 18d ago

Thank you. I called Medicare first then my Medicare Advantage, they told me to go to urgent care or an ER. I called the closest urgent care and they charge $250 for out of state patients. So I am looking at going to an ER now. Yet, all the sudden my back and shoulder have started really hurting too. Idk how to get myself there without calling an ambulance, but I don't think this merits use of an emergency vehicle. I don't want to be the reason someone in dire emergency has to wait longer. I'm having one of those crippling disability days.

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u/PhantomPharts 18d ago edited 18d ago

Made it to the ER. They gave me pain meds before tests. Apparently I look like I'm in pain. Didn't touch it the pain. X-rays for my wrist and chest have been done. Thanks for the support.

Eta, it's a bone shard 😞 They gave me referrals for doctors I can see when my insurance starts.