I hate insurance companies!!!!!

[Casnos Minis]

I just got a bill for the consultation with the orthopedic surgeon. I had paid my $25 specialist co-pay, and I get a bill for another $515. It doesn't look like the insurance is going to cover Cassidy's new doctor's. I have to call the insurance company on MOnday to see what is going on. If they don't cover it I'm hoping they have a payment plan or free care plan for low income families. I can't even afford a house or apartment right now, how do I come up with this kind of money. I can't wait to get the bill for the Intervention Radiology Biopsy they did.

I hate my husband's insurance and I always have. the company he works for only 2 members have the family plan us and one of the boss's, then 4 other guys have single plans. The rest of the guys are on their wifes insurances as they are better. The co pays suck and so does the co pays for our perscriptions. I spend at least $150 a monthe on perscriptions for Tracy, Noah, and Cassidy alone, never mind if they need another perscription for something. My husband won't speak up about it either as they pay for all the insurance in the winter when he gets laid off. I think he gets $ 200 a month taken out for the coverage. I can't get supplemental insurance like MASSHEALTH becasue we make too much, we have no dental, no glasses coverage and there are 3 of us that need glasses. I go without mine because they are just for reading. Cassidy's glasses cost $400 and Tracy's cost $300. Cassidy had inserts to straighten her feet and those cost $500 not covered!

Sorry for the vent, I needed to get it off my chest.

Christy

 

[lilhorseladie]

I hear you! I have double insurance here, I have family and so does hubby and still we pay! IT is crazy. I hope this can be resolved with only a phone call.

 

[CrescentMinis]

I hear you!!!! We are self employed and my family of 4's insurance is 1100.00 a month! OUCH! We don't use it a lot but DH is a cancer survivor so it is a "necessary evil" we can't be without.

During the first cancer episode here, the insurance company tried to dodge paying because we had not gotten proper authorization for the doctors we chose, etc.... however, they ended up coming through and we were covered for the majority. Otherwise we would have been in very very bad shape, ruined financially.

I hope it will be a simple solution for Cassidy's case to be handled smoothly without additional stress for you.

 

[Alice]

If you have a Lions Club in your town give them a call they will pay for glasses for you.

My husband is a member of the Lions Club here and they buy glasses for people all the time

if they can't afford to buy there own. It sure will not hurt to ask. Some times are school here will call if they know some child needs glasses. Good luck. Alice

 

[Gini]

Christy Please hang in there. Alana my GGranddaughter is in Ohio at Childrens Hospital having tests. All the children living in Alaska I believe are on a state insurance. Jece has been fighting them for 3 months to get Alana to a specialist that deals in CHilds.

Keep working up the chain of people. When you run out of people start again one of them is bound to listen to you and try to help. Keeping Cassidy in my prayers.

 

[Ashley]

All I have to say is be lucky you have some kind of insurance.

And just because it hasnt gone through insurance yet doesnt me they wont pay for it. Sometimes it takes a bit to process it.

I dont have insurance. I get daily calls for the clinic looking for money. They get paid every month. But I cant afford to pay it all off at once. Normally its not in issue. BUt there was a point I was there 3 times in one week for different stuff. Gets expensive. I would give anything to find affordable insurance that would cover anything more then major stuff.

 

[Jill]

If your plan is like a lot including my own, you will have a maximum annual out of pocket that will probably kick in soon and then the insurance will cover it all. My annual out of pocket is pretty "high" (I set it) to keep the premiums down but still, because of the annual out of pocket limit, I know that no medical issue will be that bad on us financially. Does your policy have this? If you don't know, call the personel person at the job. He or she will know and be able to explain.

 

[coopermini]

Christy, I think most every one here agrees with your frustration dealing with insurance that doesn't pay for what we think they should. The coverage your husbands company has may be all they can afford and if they keep the coverage while employees are laid off that is very rare! We do not offer health insurance for our empolyees as we can not afford it and we have lost some because of it. Our medical ins with a $5000 deductable is $10,000 per year for the 3 of us. They are not any more willing to cover anything than yours sounds. Most of the items they do cover need to be sent in a couple times to get them to pay.

 

[carlenehorse]

Christy

I have been a medical insurance clerk for 24 years. I have a few quesitons for you.

Was this visit for a second opinion?

If so most insurances pay second opinions at 100%

Did you receive your Explanation of Benefits from the insurance company?

What was the denial on the visit?

If you are to pay just a copay that is the only payment you are responsible for.

Do you know if this doctor was in your insurance network?

You can e-mail me if you want to at:

[email protected]

I will be glad to help you and see if I can do anything I just need to know what the EOB says.

Carlene

 

[MeadowRidge Farm]

Christy, I hear you as well. My brother just passed away 1 month ago, he lived with us. He couldnt afford to go to the doctor, and had no insurance, and now we know he was having heart problems, that in itself is HORRIBLE and beyond belief that in this so called great country of ours people die because they cant afford hospitals or doctors. We have NO free clinics up or around us. My hubby has insurance on the two of us. He pays a very high monthly...they take out $70.00 a week from his check, we have a very high deductible ($4,000.00/ 2,000 on each of us) plus our 20%. On top of that being that we live in a remote area..very few doctors are covered with this, so if we go to the bigger city..we are left with the complete bill. I am still paying off a huge ...and I do mean HUGE bill, from 5 years ago, when my hubby almost died. They flew doctors in from 2 out of network hospitals ...which our insurance covered nothing of. They get paid monthly, (I am paying $250.00 a month to them) and yet, they are calling me at least once a month wanting more...which I told them already I cant and will not do. Our payment plan was set up to be $150.00 so I already am paying a extra $100.00 to them..they should be happy we are paying!!! We dont have eye insurance either..and I need to get new glasses as well. Its been 5-6 years since I have. I wish we had the Canadian Health care system..I know I have heard good and bad about it, but at least it seems to be fair to everyone. Here in Wi. if you have kids you can get BadgerCare..if you dont have kids under 18 yrs old..your out of luck! Insurance is very unfair.

 

[Casnos Minis]

Carlene - you have an email.

Thanks everyone. I haven't contacted the lions club yet, as right now my priority is Cassidy and when this is done, I'll call them.

Christy