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09-15-2011, 08:49 AM #1Registered User
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Just Need Help Keeping My Head on Straight :/
So our baby that was born August 1st needed surgery after he was born so he stayed in NICU for 26 days. We knew that he would be in NICU, but given all of our other medical and debt obligations we weren't able to sock money away to pay for any of this.
DS and I have each met our $3000 out of pocket max and we have roughly another $1400 before me meet our family out of pocket. This will be met shortly as the actual hospital stay is still processing...it was billed out to our insurance company at $123,000!!
He will probably need physical therapy soon to strengthen his abdominal muscles (he had an abdominal wall defect known as an omphalocele) so that will likely be a copay of $30 per visit also. Plus we have to weight checks with his pediatrician which is not considered a "well-baby" check so that will require a copay also.
So far, we have only received a couple bills for small amounts. I have started keeping a binder with a tabbed divider for each provider. I know this is going to get crazy really fast. I'm sure I will have to go up against insurance on some of the charges that they will be wanting to deny also and that will be tough.
I'm just looking for a little support from you guys since y'all have always been so great when in comes to financial hardship before. I have a feeling that our previous hardships will be nothing compare to this.
Here's a pic of our little man, Cooper:
Working on Our Debt a Day at a Time:
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Chase #2: Paid $4489.75 of $4489.75 Paid in Full 12/09
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MRI Paid $1080 of $1080 Paid in Full 2/11
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Foot Surgery: Paid $1759 of $1759 Paid in Full 8/11
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2012 Fling 319/2012
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09-15-2011, 10:42 AM #2Registered User
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Congratulations on your beautiful baby. He is adorable, thanks for sharing his precious picture. I am so sorry for what you are going through with the bills. Keep your chin up. Continue to keep all your records like you are doing, in case you need to fight any of it.
Can you ask the hospital to write some of it off based on hardship circumstances?
Good luck to you on the bills.*Angel*
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09-15-2011, 11:09 AM #3Registered User
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Absolutely precious picture!!! So worth it. Always so worth it.
Good idea with the binder. How about a calendar as well so hopefully you can start seeing a pattern of when the different billers are coming in? Can just put the initials of the company on the day it arrived, day it is due.LDR
, 2 DD (one left the nest, one rarely home) More pets than money. More love than sense.
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09-15-2011, 11:18 AM #4Registered User
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Lots of good advice already.
I just want to say that you have an absolutely adorable son.
He is GORGEOUS!!!!*Avril*
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09-15-2011, 12:41 PM #5Registered User
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He is adorable!
I did a spreadsheet tab for my little trip to Hell (2 weeks in the hospital) a few years ago.
Here is a list of columns that I had:
doc
amount owed for that doc (actual)
copay for that appt
insurance adjusted amount
to be paid
paid
The rows were the doc appts/procedures. I would list them as "doc's last name 9/15" or "ultrasound 9/15".
I also had another column a few over from the section above for keeping track of how much we had left of the deductibles.Beak-1996, Toad-1998, and Q-1998
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09-15-2011, 01:31 PM #6Registered User
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Cooper is a darling and blessings on him and your family ♥
See if there's anything in this article that can help:
How to Negotiate Medical BillsNo spend days 2012 92/365
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09-15-2011, 01:44 PM #7Registered User
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Cooper is a handsome little guy! I'm sorry about all those medical issues/insurance you'll be up against. Looks like you are doing the right things- keeping records and keeping things organized. Just wanted to send some hugs your way
Wife to Air Force DH for 7 years.
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09-15-2011, 05:14 PM #8Registered User
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Oh what a cute little guy!!
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09-15-2011, 06:05 PM #9Registered User
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Cooper is a beautiful baby, congratulations! I'm sorry that you are having to deal with all of this.
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09-15-2011, 07:30 PM #10Registered User
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I also suggst keep a detailed recorded of everything, your son Cooper is a VERY HANDSOME LITTLE GUY. Keep detailed records of everything the doctor tells you, it might come in handy down the road, you will never know when. I did this and it helped down the road with my son nicholas.
You can also ask if they can write off the amount owed (especially if a catholic hospital) or make arrangements to make payments.
My husband owes hospital bills we are fighting to pay.
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09-15-2011, 07:32 PM #11Registered User
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Beautiful baby boy!!
You sound very organized. Don't forget that you or your husbands benefits person may also be able to help you navigate the bills.
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09-15-2011, 09:29 PM #12Registered User
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Definately talk with the social worker and financial people at the hospital to see if you can work out a reduction. Since they will receive (hopefully) a substantial amount from insurance it might work. Of course, if your income is in upper range they will want paid in full.
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09-15-2011, 09:39 PM #13Registered User
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you have a beautiful baby boy. I am so sorry for your hardships that you are faceing. Prayers for you and your family
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09-15-2011, 10:04 PM #14Registered User
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What a gorgeous baby. I also think you should contact the hospital about having some of your bill reduced. You will have to fill out financial papers.
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09-15-2011, 10:29 PM #15Registered User
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He is adorable!!
Sorry about the medical bills. Lots of good advice. A friend of mine has a grandson with the same condition. He is a thriving, healthy boy of 6 years now. Hugs to you and enjoy being his Momma.
Dh Bob
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