Financial Assistance and the illogic of it.

[blume357]

I really have not even started this with my recent life changing experience.... but wife, who is the financial genius keeps bringing these things up.

As most of you know I had the big one last week and spent 5 days the hospital., it will be interesting to see just what those first two days cost.... I'm betting over or at least close to a hundred grand... but what she is wanting to figure out is how to pay for my rehab for the next 3-4 months.... we are discovering that my insurance may be a tad lacking....

but here is the point... the hospital as well as some others have all said there is a way to get financial assistance for some of these things... cost of hospital stay, Life Vest I'm wearing (4K a month), rehab... RX's.... of course when you look at these forms they all want to know what you made 'last year' or such.... what I realized one night while still in the hospital after thinking about the doctor telling me I would probably not be able to work again.... what does what I used to make have anything to do with how much I can now pay them?

After 35 years of being a chimney sweep and working for myself I was actually starting to do pretty good income wise... now my income is: ZERO and that looks to be the way it will be for a while.

 

[JFB]

Blume . . . let me just share this and take what you will.

after my "big one" I was border line heart failure disabled.
over a year or two, I tried to go back to work but never was truly able to.
waited another couple years in hopes to get better.
then finally TRIED for SS disability and have been denied with comments I was able to "flip bugers"
thus took SS retirement at 62 at reduced monthly

So if SS disability is desired, go for it while you have the Dr able to report to SS

 

[Cholo]

I know you're facing the reality regarding the bills and it's daunting, scary in fact. You've already talked to the hospital. Let them give you options. Your wife can ask her OBGYN and he/she might know of other options because women have babies, some of them with special needs, and everyone wants to get paid. I think you could get some good info there.

If it all gets completely out of control, there's always bankruptcy protection. Disability?

Good luck and better yet, good health!

I sure hope nobody comes on here and says that you should have had better health insurance.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I was going to say to look for a patient advocate that might be able to help you in your area. I then found this foundation online. https://www.patientadvocate.org/ Might be worth looking at. Find the people that know 'how' to help. Let some experienced people tell you what works in your area. Good luck with all of it. ...oh and relax, you are in good hands, you're still here, right? :D

 

[nekvermont]

Just tell everyone your name is Poncho Moocho and that your an undocumented trespasser, you may get out of this without spending a cent. Sorry Blume, I couldn't resist.

 

[Kevin]

what does what I used to make have anything to do with how much I can now pay them?

I sort of understand how you feel. It seems like people with more money pay more for the same service in a hospital as someone without as much money. Last December, my wife had a small, minor operation, it was something like $35,000 for just a couple hours. Outpatient surgery. Our insurance is average at best, and it's been a hassle to pay the bills. They wanted her to pay some bills twice. So my free advice is to keep a close eye on your bills so you don't pay them twice.

Good luck.

 

[hittman]

First, sorry for your recent health problems. I wish you nothing but the best for the future.

What you made last year may just give them a baseline of where to start. Many healthcare providers offer financial assistance programs. Some are mandated by federal or state laws, some if the entity is not-for-profit. In my area financial assistance can be available to all people regardless of income. A multi-millionaire with a $10,000,000 cancer treatment bill can be just as "poor" as the guy getting by on $20,000 a year.

One vital key is YOUR constant communication with your creditors. I'd make them sick and tired of hearing from me. They love, love, love it when people seem genuinely anxious to get the money part put behind them. It's not a comfortable topic for you or the folks who work in the business office at the hospital.

Hospitals here even allow you to apply for financial assistance on their web site. Of course, I would always follow that up with a phone call and establish a relationship with a real living breathing human being inside the building. See if anything is offered by your county health department, ask your alderman or state representative for a list of programs that may assist people with huge medical debts. Make sure you know about and take advantage of every program available.

Best of luck to you. Don't hesitate to shoot me a PM if you have any questions.

p.s. ~ if you're not eligible for financial assistance or it's not enough help, we'll cross that bridge then ....

 

[bogus bill]

All we can do here is talk in generality's until you are through getting blind sided. What applied to me wont you because I already was on medicare when I got hit a couple times. I got hurt at work about 25 years ago. I was deemed by some disability board to be X percent permanently disabled. I hadnt filed anything with anybody or organization. The woman reading me the determination was granting me some amount of money, caught herself and said, "oh I see they mistakenly put you down as a cop but your just a guard!" There went 80 % or so of what I was deemed in 30 seconds!
That said I have found all billing on everything to do medically speaking seems to be pulled out of their azz and I believe two people with identical conditions will be billed vastly different. Welcome to this world. Now you will NEVER know where you stand on your financial bills, expect to get blind sided every once in awhile. I was prescribed Xeralto and the pharmacy was going to charge me almost $500 a month for that alone! Then A, my doctor had salesman sample pills he gave me for a couple months for free, B, the pharmacy had some sort of "coupons" they gave me that brought the price vastly down, C, I just switched insurances two months ago. For the last months every time I get those pills the price has varied $10, $40, $90, back to $40 or whatever! It get`s to the point I hold my breath every time I drive up to the window! Good luck!!
I recall a cartoon I seen a lifetime ago. Showed a doctor looking through a X-ray machine on a guy and he seen what money he had in his wallet and charged him that amount.

 

[Dave P.]

First question would be if you've been buying yourself health insurance?
If so your max " out of pocket" should be limited to $6600 per year.
Usually cardio physical therapy is done in a hospital gym where they
can jump on things quickly if you have an issue. These places won't
typically accept patient pay at reduced rates. I think most insurance
plans will pick up about 28 to 36 visits.
Depending on damage and on-going issues, you may be able to do the extended
rehab on your own, but you need to commit to being healthy and a lot
of people are too damn lazy ( harsh but true ) to do it.
Pretty much everything is negotiable to a point as long as you're making
an effort to pay. Asking nice can really go a long ways.
I had a unsuccessful cath/stent attempt done at a hospital, few weeks later
got a bill for around $4000 that was my portion after insurance. Took a few
phone calls but the hospital waived it all.
I've always had too much income to qualify for any help, and honestly managed to
pay everybody without it. I will admit to negotiating the costs.
As far as working in the future....might need to give it a few months to see
how the recovery goes. Everybody is different but Docs have told me they
oftentimes can't tell much for 4 to 6 weeks. Even then second opinions may be worthwhile.
My first cardiologist was very experienced and I really liked him, but he was pretty old
school on treating and what he wanted me to do.....I'd get used to my new life...give it
time, that sort of thing. Did that for a while then got a few more opinions.
I'll keep it short....I ran my 6th. full Marathon last fall and finished about 120th out
of 500 in my age group men 60-64 years old.
It's called practicing medicine for a reason and you NEED to take charge of your own
health!
Dave

 

[Mega Twin]

Most hospitals have a social worker who can guide you through the obstacle course.
When my wife had cancer,they deemed that we were $2000 above poverty level,and the hospital assistance would not help with any of the bills for the surgeries,but the social worker found plans to help with travel expenses and such,that may sound minor,but was really a big help as we were going to treatment 3 times a week for a year at 150 mile round trip each time.

 

[powder smoke]

Hope your doing well! Hospitals the whole system is broken. Too many do not have ins.
and can not pay! IMO i believe that is why the cost is so high! If everybody paid be a lot less of a burden.ps