gooddecisions
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Post by gooddecisions on Mar 2, 2016 7:09:07 GMT -5
I have been holding off on calling the hospital to register to deliver my baby. They will ask for my $2250 deductible up front. I want to see a bill before I pay it, not to mention, last time I barely made it to the hospital in time, did not stay both nights, did not use any meds and only ate one meal. I know this is just how it is now, but I don't like pay before I even know what services I'm paying for. Understand wanting to see a bill before you pay it, especially since if you end up not delivering the baby there you wouldn't owe anything at all and it would probably be a major PITA to get your $$$ back from the hospital.
On the other hand, if you cross the threshold of that hospital's door when you're in labor, you can comfort yourself with the idea that your total bill will be well over $2250 so it's not like there's a chance that you'd ever owe less than that. Heck, even when I had my kids an uncomplicated delivery and brief stay was almost triple that amount. For both my boys, I went into the hospital by checking directly into the maternity ward, had the baby less than 3 hours later and had no medication, epidural or even an IV. Other than the doc giving me some stiches right after delivery, there was no medical intervention required at all. Neither of the boys had any medical intervention either nor were they circumcised in the hospital. I slept overnight, ate breakfast the next day and went home. Heck, other than the couple of diapers, "ice pack" (glove filled with ice) and total of 4 Tylenol I took, I didn't even use any interesting supplies. Even 11 and 15 years ago, the amount of hospital charges for those brief, uncomplicated deliveries was $6k - $7k.
That was me as well as well but 2 years ago my deductible was $500 and my OOP bill ended up being around $1500 for the one night for me and baby (also no meds, no interventions, 1 meal). The pediatrician and OBGYN bills were separate and not part of the hospital bill. I will never understand why anyone wants to prolong their hospital stay. Regardless, I have the money and would like to see the bill first so i can dispute every charge, if necessary. I've heard if you ask, the billing department will give a 20-30% discount if you pay the whole bill when you get it. I don't know how that works if you already paid it.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Mar 2, 2016 7:31:25 GMT -5
Amen to wanting to go home. When the surgeon came in and asked me that I was like yes of course I want to go home!!! 3.5 days in the stupid hospital was enough for a lifetime. I drove myself to the ER, my brother had to get a ride to the hospital so he could drive my car home.
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Mar 2, 2016 7:39:02 GMT -5
Works4me, in the 3 cases cited income & age don't have anything to do with premium bc we aren't on covered California. It's through public & private sector employers If OldCoyote was trying to say "awful that he is expected to come up with 6k, what if we weren't here" I totally agree
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Mar 2, 2016 11:27:34 GMT -5
If OldCoyote was trying to say "awful that he is expected to come up with 6k, what if we weren't here" I totally agree It sounds like oldcoyote's grandson has not considered any other alternatives other than what he has learned at his parent's hands. Going to a relative for money should NOT be the first solution, but the last.....and only if absolutely necessary. JMHO
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Mar 2, 2016 15:10:27 GMT -5
OMG how far apart we are!! I completely expect to have GKS come to family first!
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CCL
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Post by CCL on Mar 2, 2016 15:18:56 GMT -5
OMG how far apart we are!! I completely expect to have GKS come to family first! You don't think they should even see what terms/discounts the hospital/doctor might offer first?
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Mar 2, 2016 15:19:30 GMT -5
OMG how far apart we are!! I completely expect to have GKS come to family first! Why? For me, it is a matter of pride that me, as an adult, can figure out a solution to MY problem without running home to mommy or daddy. This is not an emergency, or an insurmountable problem....which makes it a perfect learning opportunity to figuring out how to get what he needs. When I got hit with my medical hell, it was a source of pride when my dad asked me if I needed help that I was able to tell him that I had it covered. I knew that the help was there if I asked, but it was of last resort.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2016 17:06:52 GMT -5
For me, it is a matter of pride that me, as an adult, can figure out a solution to MY problem without running home to mommy or daddy. Totally agreed. When I got my first job out of college I needed a car and a car loan. I had a few hundred $$ in savings and zero credit history. The local bank said my parents might have to cosign. I was furious even though parents were willing. For some reason the bank changed their mind and gave me the loan on just my signature. That was really important to me.
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Artemis Windsong
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Post by Artemis Windsong on Mar 2, 2016 17:16:08 GMT -5
I haven't read every page of posts.
Some hospital websites give a cost for a certain procedure on their webpage. I think Mayo Clinic is one. A starting point for cost.
He can get a GoFundMe account, too.
Ask what kind of payment plan that could be set up for him at the hospital/clinic.
The family can have a benefit for him. Either just the family or invite the community for a large fund raiser with silent auction and food/bake sales.
Before affordable care, one poster here had to have surgery. He went to the hospital and said he couldn't pay. He had to have the surgery. They wrote it off (onto other payers with higher costs).
I would tell GrS4 that you would pay the hospital/doctor directly.
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Mar 2, 2016 21:03:15 GMT -5
Like I said, I believe in family helping family. I was helped by sis when son died and gladly help my kids. As my dad always said:
"when that dollar bill kisses you back, then you're a richer man than me"
And fortunately I've passed that lesson onto my kids instead of what I'm reading here. This isn't a 40 year old wanting a Coach bag, this is a 22 year old with a large medical deductible that needs to be met prior to surgery and grandparents who could write a check without feeling any repercussions
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Mar 2, 2016 21:25:57 GMT -5
No repercussions ? Dang, 6 k is a lot of money. I can't imagine anyone unless they were in the Trump category not having serious thought about hanging over 6k. Plus? It'll be more than that. Co-pays and all.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Mar 2, 2016 21:26:14 GMT -5
Handing
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Mar 2, 2016 21:30:40 GMT -5
I'm not in Trumps financial situation but it wouldn't deter me from doing anything I really wanted to do & I bet you've got way more than me. Compounding replaces it ASAP. Priorities
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Mar 2, 2016 21:33:14 GMT -5
How is someone else's elective surgery a priority for old coyote?
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Mar 2, 2016 21:33:59 GMT -5
If he wanted to do it, he'd have done it without bothering to come here and talk about it.
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Mar 2, 2016 21:38:39 GMT -5
How is someone else's elective surgery a priority for old coyote? its not any 'someone else,' it's his grandson.
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Mar 2, 2016 21:47:42 GMT -5
I'm not in Trumps financial situation but it wouldn't deter me from doing anything I really wanted to do & I bet you've got way more than me. Compounding replaces it ASAP. Priorities I am not even in the same galaxy from a financial POV as Trump, but I would be incredibly hurt if my GS would not come to me if he needed help to pay for a medical procedure and his parents (for whatever reason couldn't help). This is not a facelift or tummy tuck we are talking about here. Maybe the biggest difference we are showing with our YM answers though , is in the family dynamics we are all exposed to. Spend thrift/ always looking for a handout versus financial prudent people that do not try to take advantage of others. Our outlook on life is colored by our personal experiences after all.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Mar 2, 2016 21:54:13 GMT -5
It's one thing to offer. It's another to be asked. There's arrangements the grandson could make . Has he done so or even tried? Or is it easier to simply ask the bank of coyote because that's what he's seen his whole life? It isn't going to stop at 6k which is a lot of money. That's just the deductible. There's going to be a lot more. Who is going to pay for that? His wife doesn't have a job? There's a lot left out. This is the most responsible member of coyotes family? 6k is a lot of money for a 22 year old. I get that. But that doesn't mean old coyote should pony up. The dinner thing was sneaky imho. That in itself would have me wondering.
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Mar 2, 2016 22:00:19 GMT -5
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Mar 2, 2016 22:01:16 GMT -5
Very true. I'll be interested in knowing what the OP decides to do.
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wmpeon
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Post by wmpeon on Mar 2, 2016 22:14:21 GMT -5
Yep, exposure to family dynamics certainly colors my opinion. It's not that I don't want to help family, it's that I don't trust a certain member when it comes to money, and I resent feeling guilty because I don't want to hand over money I worked hard save. I no longer consider sudden car repairs, or late house payments "emergencies". Not when bills are floated every month, and "emergencies" occur throughout the year. I saw my parents borrow from relatives and never pay them back. I also saw my parents suffer from the horrid weight of living paycheck to paycheck and drowning in debt. I am fortunate to be able to live comfortably and because of my childhood, I loathe being indebted to others and resent when others borrow from me and don't pay me back. I'm sad that I can't celebrate promotions at work, or when I meet retirement goals, because I'll be asked for a loan right after (it's happened). My family member is a good person who works very hard to make ends-meat, yet she is perpetually in crisis and borrows from family often.
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CCL
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Post by CCL on Mar 2, 2016 22:57:33 GMT -5
There's not been much mention of the physicians fees. In my experience, they are usually about equal to the hospital fees. I know the deductible may be met through hospital costs, but there are likely to be co-pays and non-covered expenses. The kid may not even be aware of all of it yet. I'd spend some time educating him and encouraging him to do some research, as well.
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973beachbum
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Post by 973beachbum on Mar 3, 2016 8:39:15 GMT -5
I have known some people who had deviated septums who had major problems breathing. One person could only sleep sitting up IICR. She said she got maybe 4 hours of sleep a night. I know someone here will say they had a kid and didn't sleep that much for the next 14 years. But that isn't the norm. People have small pockets in time where they don't sleep but normally kids grow up and their parents get to go back to sleeping like they used to. There is a reason new parents are so cranky and it isn't always hormones. But that said almost unless the person has to go to the emergency room to treat it this isn't considered an emergency so is considered elective. As a result no the hospital isn't going to "work something out with you". They all want the ded at the least paid before hand. Any balance due has to be paid in the next few months not a year or two of payments. This policy is what I call a catastrophic policy. If someone gets hit by a bus they are covered and can't end up with hundreds of thousands in bills. But without the ded in the bank they also can't get basic care either.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Mar 3, 2016 9:51:18 GMT -5
There's not been much mention of the physicians fees. In my experience, they are usually about equal to the hospital fees. I know the deductible may be met through hospital costs, but there are likely to be co-pays and non-covered expenses. The kid may not even be aware of all of it yet. I'd spend some time educating him and encouraging him to do some research, as well. That's true. He'll have a bill for every single person involved AND the hospital. While the hospital may be willing to work out a payment plan the other entities involved may not be so willing. You also have to make sure every single person and facility involved is covered under your insurance. My parents had to fight with their insurance when at the last minute the anthesiologist was changed for my dad's hernia surgery. The insurance company refused to cover the out of network guy at first leaving them with thousands in extra expenses. They appealed and won on the grounds that the hospital did not inform them prior to the surgery they had switched people. You can't stop a surgery midway thru. Hospital billing is such a mess/headache. I had so many bills coming in from various people after the kids were born it was insane. I am pretty sure I saw a bill for the janitor in there somewhere. Unlike the rest of YM I am not going to fault the kid for not exploring all his options. I'm 32 years old had outpatient surgery, two kids and have family members who work in insurance and I STILL get tripped up by medical billing. If this is the kid's first time with anything other than a routine physical I can see how he wouldn't think to talk to the hospital financial department.
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Ombud
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Post by Ombud on Mar 3, 2016 10:35:17 GMT -5
Hospital billing is such a mess/headache. .... If this is the kid's first time with anything other than a routine physical I can see how he wouldn't think to talk to the hospital financial department. So this!
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Mar 11, 2016 7:16:11 GMT -5
So, did you give him the money?
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