Reply #19: This is EXACTLY why I refused medical "care"... [View All]

[StraightDope]

A few months back after an auto accident. Goddamn paramedics were CONVINCED that I just HAD to have a sever concussion, after all, what person who is bleeding from superficial facial cuts and has a broken nose would refuse treatment? I'll tell you what kind, "A person without health insurance!"

I tried to explain this to those assholes, and all I got, repeatedly, by way of reply was, "Sir, the driver's insurance will pay for it!"

"Yeah, and if they don't, I'm stuck with a bill of several thousand dollars that I can't pay!"

"That won't happen, and if it does, the hospital will let you pay in installments."

"Listen, pal, I'm BARELY making enough money to survive on right now as it is. I can't AFFORD any other bills, not even $10 / month!"

"Sir, are we going to have to get a police officer over here to talk to you?"

At the top, and I mean TOP of my lungs, "I DO NOT WISH TO RECIEVE ANY MEDICAL TREATMENT AT THIS TIME. I AM OF SOUND MIND, AND I AM REFUSING TO BE COERCED INTO COOPERATING!!!!!"

That finally shut them up, it was embarrassing as hell, everyone on the scene was staring at me, I was covered in blood, and unbeknownst to me at the time, had developed two of the most horrifically ugly black eyes that you've ever seen.

It was worth it. I went home, cleaned myself up, butterflyed the wounds, got drunk and went to sleep. Money saved, God only knows, but it was likely a few grand.