One in seven residents are uninsured, and the number keeps growing, the state Dept. of Health says.

By Michelle Dynes
mdynes@wyomingnews.com

CHEYENNE -- One of Sue Schraffenberger's health-care bills topped $14,000.

She must pay for her mammograms, medications and laboratory tests. And she has insurance.

"(My coverage) would basically pay my rent to stay in the hospital," Schraffenberger said.

When a physician told her she needed a biopsy, she asked how much it would cost.

The price tag was $5,000 to $6,000 -- another item that her insurance plan doesn't include.

"It still costs me over $2,000 a year for coverage that doesn't cover anything," she added.

About one in seven Wyoming residents is uninsured, according to the state Department of Health.

But the number of underinsured individuals is growing and facing the same problems as those without any coverage.

Schraffenberger said since she has diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, it's impossible to find reasonably-priced insurance.

The 55-year-old also is a patient who falls into a gray area: too young for Medicaid, too old for other assistance programs.

Marcy Hoover, 61, said insurance isn't affordable as a self-employed businesswoman. When she and her husband first opened their home-decorating business 30 years ago, they could offer employee benefits. Over time, coverage was dropped for everyone, including the Hoovers.

As a veteran, her husband, Clair, was able to get a triple-bypass surgery through the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. But Marcy must turn to the Cheyenne Health and Wellness Center for care. The clinic's sliding fee scale makes it affordable to find primary care.

But some health-care needs still go unmet.

A physician asked Marcy visit a dermatologist to remove two suspicious moles. Since it would cost $400 to $600, she hasn't followed the recommendation.

"The No. 1 killer for women is heart disease," she said. "What if I had a heart attack?"

Dana Beavers, 42, said earlier this year she experienced sharp pains in her side. She went to the emergency room and spent five days in the hospital with an enlarged spleen. The final bill was more than $27,000.

The waitress said her employer offers insurance, but accepting this coverage would take a large chunk out of her paycheck and leave her with limited assistance.

"I make $2.50 an hour and tips," Beavers said. "After you take 10 percent out for taxes and then add in insurance, I'd bring home maybe $20 or $30 a paycheck."

She added that she was able to work with the hospital to reduce her bill to a more affordable $1,580. She also doesn't qualify for any programs like Medicaid, since she no longer has any children under the age of 18 at home.

Schraffenberger said since she owns her home, car and a recreational vehicle, she has too many assets to qualify. But if she misses a single insurance payment, she will lose her limited coverage.

"The money I put into health care is all I've got," she added.

Since she doesn't have a great deal to spend, she buys a new pair of eyeglasses every three years no matter how badly she needs a new set. She only visits the dentist once a year for a cleaning, even though she needs additional dental work.

"My general health suffers," Schraffenberger said. "But I've actually paid off my home. Why should I suffer because of that?"

Beavers said she still needs to get her spleen removed. But the pain leaves her so pale and tired she was taken off the schedule at work. And even if she could afford surgery, she needs six to eight weeks to recuperate.

Schraffenberger said she may have to come out of retirement and flip burgers to make extra money.

Marcy said every time she feels unwell she has to make a decision.

"Is this something I can live with?" she said. "Is the pain so bad I can't work through it?"