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I have to admit that I am apprehensive about it. Just the thought of anyone going into my body via an artery and messing around with my heart gives me the heebie-jeebies.
Connie and I are still trying to avoid contact with people as much as possible because of COVID, especially now with Connie's greatly reduced immune system, and here I will be going into the hospital, right where people suffering from COVID would likely be going too. Connie wants to stay with me the entire time, but I really don't want her to be in that environment for any longer than absolutely necessary. Of course, there is always the possibility I could pick up that virus and bring it home. Which is a thought that scares the hell out of me. The surgeon seemed to feel I should get this done as soon as possible. I don't know, I am having second thoughts about doing it now with the increased cases of COVID in Florida. Or maybe I am just using this as an excuse to keep from getting someone poking around in my heart? :shrug01: I wish we had our old life back. :( |
I understand your feelings about wanting to be more careful now that it appears that once again the risk of Covid is heightened. What makes the whole thing even more frustrating is that there is no way to predict whether the Covid risk will decrease after a while, or whether some new version will show up.
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Got some insurance statements in the mail yesterday. So far the medical bills for Connie have totaled to just over $267,000 and mine $154,000. :ack2:
Not sure what our out of pocket expenses are going to wind up being when the dust settles, as there were a number of line items in each statement that the insurance had marked as being DECLINED. So I don't know if we will be getting direct bills for them from the respective services. And, of course, I have another operation next week to help bring up my total. But with Connie's situation, I imagine it will be difficult for me to catch up with her constantly increasing total. Lovely..... I guess when you are told to look forward to your "Golden Years" of retirement what they mean is for you to make sure that you have plenty of gold saved up to pay for likely medical expenses that might be waiting for you. So yeah, if you don't have health insurance, please stay healthy. You might not be able to afford to do otherwise. |
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I guess they could always come and repossess that stent that put in my heart. :shrug01:
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For instance, my insurance declined to pay for some of the tests done around the time I was diagnosed with diabetes. This meant that the lab was not paid. But due to the arrangements and contracts between the insurance company and the labs, doctors, etc. it was not my responsibility either, so I did not have to pay. Sometimes labs and doctors offices will send bills just to try to shake the tree and see if any money falls out. Read and understand your policy, and don't pay for anything the insurance declines until you are satisfied that it is valid (and why) according to your insurance policy. |
Not suggesting this right now, just posting for info:
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclope...ankruptcy.html |
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Read your EOBs (explanation of benefits) that are mailed to you from your insurance carrier. Normally, the providers will submit an amount that's ridiculously high. Then you'll see the amount that the insurance is willing to pay; usually a number that's pre-determined. Most providers will accept the insurance payment, and not bill you for the balance. Of course, you're still responsible for any co-pays and deductibles. You can ask for itemized bills from the hospital, which will show all charges broken down. It won't show individual items such as gauze pads, bandages, etc., but will list dispensed medications from the hospital pharmacy, anesthetics, surgical supplies, O.R. fees, etc. EVERYTHING is negotiable! Say you're left with a $10k bill, after insurance and Medicare pay their portion. You can call the hospital billing department and offer them $7k. They'll usually accept reasonable offers to settle. If they won't, tell them you'll pay $25 a month until it's paid off. They can't start collection procedures if you're making timely payments. |
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As far as I am concerned Connie and I have paid for health insurance all our lives. So they OWE us now when we actually need them. We are both now on Medicare with Capital Health Plan, which is supposed to be one of the most highly rated health insurance plans in the country. |
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