Speaking of medical bills

**littlemotherhaywood** · 03-07-2006, 10:05 AM

When we signed up for our insurance plan we were told we each had a $500 deductible and that was it. Turns out that the HR lady explained the plan wrong and now we owe $3500 for my surgery in January. I don't know what we're going to do. We barely have the money to pay the bills we have and started cutting back over a year ago so we're down to pretty much the nitty gritty for us. My dh already had to call and defer his student loan again because the payment is over $300 a month and we just don't have it. In fact, we often barely have money to put gas in the car. We've stopped every frivolous purchase we can think of and we're keeping track of every penny we spend. So far, all we've gotten small bills, but we should be getting one from the hospital for about $2000 next week. I don't suppose it's likely they'd take small payments because I don't have anything big to offer at this point. Sorry, I just need to rant a little I guess. The insurance lady was so nice. She's like, well at least you're only a couple hundred away from your max out of pocket. Well, gee, that's great!!! Thanks for cheering me up

I know she meant well, I just wonder if she knows what it's like to face an amount of debt so daunting that you just want to bury yourself in a hole and never come out. I'm just going to keep trudging forward though. What can I do? At this point, what's another $3500?

**frugalfarmwife** · 03-07-2006, 10:14 AM

Oh that would be aweful news to get, I had similiar last year and was suddenly hit with a 2,500 dental bill that had to be paid in full, I was NOT a happy camper. What I did though (don't advise this unless you can really keep on top of it) was charge it to a CC and then open another CC with a 0% balance and switch it to that, but I'll be able to get it paid off before interest comes due.

I DO know that hospitals will work with you, they have to if they want paid, right?

My best friend had a surgery that she just paid the out of pocket as she could, 20-30 a month. When they called to bug her she just told them she was doing what she could, it never effected her credit.

Hugs to you, and go enjoy the sunshine today!

kj

**Emerald_Mommy** · 03-07-2006, 10:33 AM

Sorry about this!

I know it's rough. Our deductible is $5,000 so I know about paying large amounts of money! (we are self insured). In most cases doctors, hospitals, and clinics have been more than willing to work with us but sometimes you have to keep asking for someone else to talk to until you get to someone who has the authority to charge you less.

I'm sorry I don't have better advice. Hang in there!

**dndylfe** · 03-07-2006, 11:27 AM

You can call the hospital personally and ask if you can do a payment plan---explain the situation and then tell them how much you can pay every month. They should make a notation on your account about it, and you should record who you talk to and when. Be firm, but nice. If you can't pay very much now, say so, but explain that you will pay more when you can.

We do this ALL the time as my husband has both juvenile diabetes and a large deductible so I'm always on the phone with medical supply places and insurances. They're always really nice because, really, they just want their money and would rather get $60/mo for 5 years than nothing.

It'll work out.

We're rooting for you!

**pecunierrant** · 03-07-2006, 01:02 PM

I can sure understand how youre feeling, Id be stunned too.

Years ago DH & I received a high hospital bill for my eldest's sons birth, he had to stay in the hospital for several days after I was discharged. The bill had me in tears (son was/is fine).

Anyway, what I did was call and request a detailed audit of the products & services (not just a generic billing) for the time we spent in the hospital.

We went over the bill with a fine tooth comb.
I spoke to both insurance co & hospital numerous times to double check the charges, some were too high for our plan, etc.

What the hospital did was give us a discount as a courtesy. The lady at the insurance company actually suggested I ask about a discount beyond the one they have in their agreement.

It was around $400 off and they accepted monthly payments.

It cant hurt to try, I hope they'll work with you.

~Audrey

**halloweenfreak** · 03-07-2006, 02:39 PM

i was told (i dont know if it applies to every state or not) that as long as you make monthly payments (and dont skip any payments) they really cant do anything about it. they may not like being paid a few dollars every month, but they couldn't do anything to you to make you pay more. i've done this with every medical bill we've ever had and have had no problems. ( i was in icu for a week after the birth of my son so we had some pretty hefty bills for awhile) but they couldn't do anything about it since i did pay them something every month.

**littlemotherhaywood** · 03-07-2006, 05:15 PM

Thanks everyone. I'm definitely going to order a complete statement showing everything. When I had my dd we were billed for medicine received in the labor room (rh medicine we didn't need anyway) that we never received and it was like fifteen dollars for the box of tissues in our room. I'm sorry, but that's just crazy. I'm not going to pay a cent more than necessary.