Widows & Widowers Support Group
This community is dedicated to those who have lost a husband, wife, or partner. Anything is open for discussion here, with the hope that we can focus on grief, bereavement, life after loss, and continuing on after a great loss.
I can't believe this. I ended up in the hospital a few months, one night, but it cost me over 6000 dollars. So I called the billing department to make payment arrangements, and was told that I must pay 376 dollars a month and that's it.
I remember back in the day when you could basically pay what you wanted to hospitals. I hate this recession. Such greedy people in our world today. So, basically, I'm not paying them anything. I'm in my house now, and can afford to have bad credit. Bad attitude, but I haven't had money like that since my husband was alive. I'm still thinking he's in a better place and I'm in hell.
I remember back in the day when you could basically pay what you wanted to hospitals. I hate this recession. Such greedy people in our world today. So, basically, I'm not paying them anything. I'm in my house now, and can afford to have bad credit. Bad attitude, but I haven't had money like that since my husband was alive. I'm still thinking he's in a better place and I'm in hell.
My husband was a comp and benefits specialist,, and I took care of my mother, father, and Greg, who all needed the healthcare industry. I do not think anyone is really making them the villian here. I have great respect for the care given in the hospital to many many people I really do.
That said though, Over the years of caring for my loved ones, and dealing with billing depts. etc., there have been MANY an error in billing. My mom and dad were both medicare, and each and every time they were inh the hospital (both had supplemental insurance BTW so no one was looking to "cheat anyone), when the bills came there were MANY a 'mystery physician" charge from someone on staff, who had never even seen them. One in particular, was a colonoscopy charge for 5000.00 that was NEVER PREFORMED. Each and every time, had to follow up, alert the insurance and take care of the situation. MANY MANY "mystery docs" who had never TREATED either of my parents, meds never given, services that wer not provided etc. There ARE mistakes, and insurance or not, we have to be vigilant, so we are NOT paying for things we did NOT receive as well.
My husband and I checked our bills thourougly, and found MANY an error. There is something called "reasonable and customary' charges and when these go over that, if insurance is alerted, they will act as an advocate for US in that area. THIS HAPPENED FREQUENTLY!
When my husband was taken to emergency that Sunday morning, of his heart attack, had his stent, and was taken to ICU, there were MANY mistakes made. He had a FIFTEEN percent chance of survival at that point, but I was NEVER told of this. Neither was he. when they wanted to intubate, I KNEW that would be the end just from what I knew, but they convinced my husband that this would save his life, as apposed to a trach tube which is what I had wanted so desapately for him. the intubation they gave him is what ultimately shut the rest of his organs down. The ICU nurse that I thank my lucky stars for, had admitted that she KNEW and had asked them NOT to do this KNOWING that if they did, my husband would surely die.!!!!! after the intubation were many invasive procedures telling me they would "prolong his life". All these procedures did in fact was prolong his AGONY, and at a cost of over 400,000.00 for four days. 250,000.00 was AFTER intubation from problems araising FROM the intubation. We have insurance. I pay every bill I ever have gotten. My credit score is in the 800s. I was raised to pay for what I owe. You can best believe though that in this case, with the mistakes made, I will have that same insurance company go over every line, and make sure that I in FACT OWE this, and then will work out what needs to be.ALONG with the procedures that were NOT WARRANTED for my husband, and did nothing but give more pain to have more CHARGES to the insruance company.
I do not think that the hospital is an enemy, but I DO think it is a business. Businesses make MISTAKES. and it is our POWER to question them. I have the utmost respect for the ICU personnel, who day after day have to deal with these life and eath situations. My heart goes out to them. I have no problem with paying for a service which was preformed to save a life. I DO HAVE A PROBLEM when there are fraudulant charges, mishandling, and business attitdes as to a LIFE in their hands. As is the case too many times. I understand that there are people who indeed try to froud the medical system. I dont think anyone of us here on this board EVER did anything remotely like that, or ever would.
No, I don't think the medical community or insurance are the enemy, nor do I think they are infallable, and know it from experience, and studying those bills and being diligent.
And yes, we DO HAVE THE POWER to question what we think si wrong.
I'm sorry for going on too long, and sorry about everyone's troubles and dealing with all that we have to on top of grieving such a great loss.
this just really hit me, and last night was suffereing from widow brain, and not thinking of giving good information that can be used. I HOPE the BEST dfor all of us here, and hope that it gets easier and not harder.
HUGS to all
Diane
My comments were on simply refusing to pay a bil even when you know you were treated, etc. l. I do not believe that is ever a good idea.
Make arrangements.
I meant no disrespect whatsoever, and was only hoping to help anyone who might need help in their hospital bills, and giving idea on what to do, and what could help.
My husbands life's work was thei area, and why I do know a thing or two about it, including pathology readings radiologists, and other parts of this very confusing, trying to udnerstand the many different billings we receive. I feel it's honoring my sweet husband to pass along this infor to anyone who may find it helpful.
Missing Frank I also meant no disrespect to your opinions. as you have every right to them. As far as "mystery docs' I hope that I know how to read my bills and know whan a visit did not happen as apposed to different bills from radiologists/pathologists who have read results.
I apologize if I offended anyone at all, as that was never my intentions, and was only coming from a very loving place.
I wish all peace , and anything that can be helpful to everyone of us.
HUGS Diane
I did have a nightmare about another bill however, but I managed to solve that problem with an attorney from Graylaw. The bill had been submitted to a collection agency and they were trying to collect an amount above and beyond what Medicare allows. I paid what I owed according to Medicare and never heard from them again either.
Don't pay a bill that you are not sure that you owe until you check it out. It is hard enough to deal with losing our spouses than to be billed for something that you don't even owe. Nerfmom
I made the statement about "mystery docs' possibly being other docs who do not visit a room becasue you did not say that these were not the ones you aler listed in your folowup. Goind by what was posted. Sorry. Not a mind reader. FOrgive me.
I am only saying htat choosing to NOT pay a bill for yourself while living and making that choice is not a good one.
Sorry if that offends anyone. But, I believe in payingwhat you owe (after checking a bill and after insurance) . If you are unable to you should make arrangements or apply for funds to help pay. Any payment at all is better than none.