Overwhelming medical debt?

**danceswduckys** · 06-08-2007, 04:30 PM

Okay, so my youngest daughter is now 1 year old and you'd think that we'd be finished paying the hospital right? Wrong. Our insurance has a $4500 deductible with a maximum $9000 out-of-pocket for the year. She was admitted to the local children's hospital for an intestinal blockage and 3 months later had surgery. Then I needed a root canal (no dental insurance) and most recently I feel in the middle of the night and had to go to the ER for x-rays and a split. I stay at home with the girls and my husband has a good job. We don't qualify for any Medical programs. However, all wasn't lost because my daughter's intestinal birth defect qualified us for a program through California Children's Services where they helped pay Children's Hospital. They denied us based on our finances but after writing an appeal stating that we'd likely lose our house and couldn't afford to pay the bill, CCS paid $3500. Then there is the hospital where I gave birth. I still owed them $1720. I applied for financial assistance and was again turned down. I wrote another appeal listing all of our medical debt and offering $500 as payment-in-full. The hospital called the other day and they accepted my offer! I still owe the OB/GYN $600 and the dentist $600. I also received the bill for my trip to the ER. An amazing $1200! So what if I still owe $2400. I saved $4700 and am able to still keep the house and everyone fed.

MY Point: There are many in this situation that have little or no insurance that make too much money to get financial assistance. Our family is an example of what happens when things don't go as you'd planned. Don't give up because they say you make too much money! It probably took me a total of 3 hours to write the appeals and talk to people on the phone but in the end it saved us from financial ruin.

**FrugalMomof3** · 06-08-2007, 04:39 PM

I am glad you were able to get help and get some of so bills down, I personally dont have medical insurance, dental or vision anything so if I get sick I have to fight it out right here at home. The kids though are covered 100% and DH only has medical BUT your right, there are many places out there that can and will help you!

**McD** · 06-08-2007, 06:18 PM

I'm so glad that you have had luck getting assistance and people were willing to accept less!

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 06-08-2007, 06:21 PM

We have only have life insurance and nothing eles. Last September I had 2 heart attacks then gall bladder surgury. Luckly we had some savings which we used to buy the surgury. Because we paid cash it was cheaper. With the heart attack bills we have taken them alittle at a time. The bills were over $10,000.00 and we have paid between $100.00 and $10.00 per month since then. Our hospital is a county hospital and they have to treat you weather you can pay or not. Granted I didn't stay in one more day then nessary and I discussed every treatment before they did it. We opted for a heart scan vs and angeoplast. Glad we did the scan was $2,000.00 vs the ango which was $20,000. The scan showed no damage and no blocks. No need for the ango.
Had to agrue with the doctor who wanted to do the ango. He didn't like me being so involved and questioning. Oh, it was my money not his.
Our hospital has since called us and offered to settle our debt for 1/2 but we're not to that money ponit to afford it. We're working on rebuilding our savings and we'll see.

Laurie in Bradenton

**flowergirl** · 06-08-2007, 07:16 PM

I have no insurance this is the first time I ever went without but tryed to buy some was paying on it and when I needed it they paid nothing always one excuse or another it sucks but I am doing my best got discounts on what I can and will pay payments until they are paid my dh had a hip replacement and at the time we had insurance so now we cant get insurance for him I am trying to get some from the place I work working on going full time but I know it wont be great but I hope better then nothing he owns his own business but it is a small company we would need at least 10 full time employees maybe someday I never thought I would go without insurance but life happens I have tried to find a job with good insurance and I am still looking but with out collage education its not easy . I may go back someday .....

**Mom23boys** · 06-08-2007, 08:01 PM

dancewduckys, I am glad you shared your story on medical debt. I agree, if you call and explain what you can pay, most hospitals will work with you. I did the same thing last year with DH's medical bills. I was able to offer a settlement and they accepted.

Your story will help someone else in medical debt!