While on vacation in a private villa in the Carabian, I fell down several stairs (Thurs evening). We now know I crushed my healbone, broke my tailbone, fractured my L5 and broke my L1.
We had travel insurance.
To get to the island hospital, I had to be transported in the back of a pickup truck (no ambulance service)
The hospital on the island we stayed at could only stitch up the heal, there was no xray facility. I was given enough pain killers and antibiotics to last 2 days. I was then transported back to the villa, in a borrowed wheelchair in the back of a pickup truck. My wife phoned the ins company for help. They would not do anything until they received faxed medical evidence of the injuries. They did say they would pay for the cab when we arrived at the next island to get to the xray clinic and doctor. My wife then had to transport me in the wheelchair in the back of a pickup truck once again, to the ferry terminal for a Friday 6:30am departure. I was allowed to stay in the wheelchair in the hull of the ferry for the duration of the ride. Once we arrived at 7:30am at the other island, a cab was there to meet us. We were to go to the xray clinic first and then the doctor. We waited in the cab from 7:30am to 8:30am for the clinic to open (I had a bag and towel under my foot as it was still bleeding even after the stiches) The xrays took till 11:30am to complete and we went to the doctors office immediatly only to find he was not in till after 1pm. My wife then rented a hotel room on the ground floor. The cab driver and my wife helped me in so I could lay horizontal while we waited for the doctor.
1pm came and the cab driver returned, and once again with the help of the driver and my wife helped me into the cab and then the doctors office.
The above injuries were confirmed at the doctors office and all medical information was faxed to the ins. company (this was now 3pm). The doctor then casted the foot to help contain the bleeding for the trip home.
The doctor requested crutches so that I would be more mobile, as my wife could not help much.
We were out of cash.
Medical supplies and prescriptions could not be bought with credit cards.
After another lengthly journey in town trying to get cash and prescriptions etc, my wife finally said that was enough and had me returned to the hotel so that she could once again phone the ins. company and I could lay horizontal as I was in extreme pain.
(Thank god the hotel had a resturant, so that we could have room service)
The ins. company said someone would be there Sat mid morning to air lift us back home. My wife checked us out.
Sat mid morning came and went. My wife called the ins.company again. They said they were having difficulties getting a bed for me in my home town hospital. Then said someone would be there for 6pm.
At 5:30pm my wife paid the bill again, and had me ready for transport.
At 5:40 the ins. company called and said someone would be there at about 11:00pm and we would be transported by air ambulance Sunday morning at 6am.
The peramidic and nurse arrived at 10:30pm and checked me over. They said they would not put me in a neckbrace or backbrace until the morning.
In the morning I was braced up, and transported home.
When we finally arrived at our local hospital, no record was found of anyone trying to secure a bed for me at all. I was admitted into the emergency at 3pm Sunday.
I had another set of xrays done, as no one even looked at the first set that I had with me. They redressed my heal and re casted it. At around 10:30pm I was finally admitted. Monday morning I went in for surgery to clean and restitch the wound as best they could for I was told my foot was first and foremost in concerns, and my back would be dealt with after.
My delema,
What actions should I take? Can I take?
Need Advise For Injuries Incurred.?
Oct - 28 | By: AHT | one comment.
Filed under : Health Insurance
One Response to “Need Advise For Injuries Incurred.?”
Leave a reply
Travel Talk
Travel Views
Backpack
Traveler is powered by Gorilla Themes and WordPress
I read your story a day or two ago….and I am happy I was finally able to find it again. While I was doing some research of my own for work, I found this link on dealing with health insurance disputes. I hope it helps you…http://www.kff.org/consumerguide/7350.cf…