The week before this one was “let’s have someone over every night for dinner” week. We immediately followed that up by enjoying having Craig’s parents and one of his sisters and her family here for a few days, even staying with us for part of that time. We went to the Magic House on Sunday, the zoo on Monday morning and a Cardinal’s game that night. The next day we said good-bye, did a quick turn-around on the house, and then left for Oklahoma for a few days with my parents, which I already detailed below.
We’re back now and have one night before having some friends (Craig’s college roommate and co-author plus wife and four kids) stay with us for two nights. After they leave, my sister will arrive with her three youngest and be here for a few days. And we’re looking forward to each visit very much.
But we’re also enjoying this one night in-between. It’s a chance to try to get the girls back on a regular bedtime routine and also to catch up on some things we’ve been neglecting.
In the midst of the catching up, I discovered some things I didn’t know, some good, some not so. Among the good, the school year for recording units ended on June 30. Both girls exceeded their required units by at least 50. Among the bad, Missouri Medicaid denied coverage for Millie’s hospitalization last November when she had pneumonia over Thanksgiving and we took her to the Illinois hospital. You can imagine what a week’s worth of uncovered hospital bill means.
I began our time at home pretty discouraged and became very short with everyone unjustifiably. When asked by Craig what I needed to happen, I heard myself reply, “I need to stop taking out the hospital bill on the rest of you.” Saying it out loud made me realize I was doing it. And believe it or not, I stopped.
I get tired of large bill after large bill after amazingly large bill arriving and mocking us on a weekly basis. But, as Craig reminded me, it will resolve. It may be an easy resolve, or it may take years and headaches, but eventually it will resolve. And the God who provides plastic plates for my kids knows what else we need and will continue to provide for us.
So… I will stop worrying about it and move on to the other things that need my attention much more than that stupid bill. But rest assured, if my kids ever get sick in Illinois again, we’ll be driving home for medical attention. Pronto.
Half-Pint House 
So sorry about the bill. Praying for you.
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Is there any appeal process, Megan. I’d be happy to help.
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Ummmmm. . . I think we’ve had someone over for dinner ONE TIME since we returned from Ukraine. That after several years of at-least-once-a-week-usually-more in Ukraine. I really love having people over for dinner. But just haven’t been up for it. Yes, I’m a recluse. *L*
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Ummmmm. . . I think we’ve had someone over for dinner ONE TIME since we returned from Ukraine. That after several years of at-least-once-a-week-usually-more in Ukraine. I really love having people over for dinner. But just haven’t been up for it. Yes, I’m a recluse. *L*
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Megan, thinking of you. (((((Hugs.)))))
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Megan, thinking of you. (((((Hugs.)))))
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if you went to a teaching hospital, they will most likely write your bill off if you contact them, fill out all of the necessary info (same stuff you probably had to fill out for MO medicaid: income, bills, what’s in your savings, etc). this has happened for us twice & for my sister/her family as well. and even if you did not go to a teaching hospital, they will do something to adjust your expenses. trust me.
we’re dealing with the same thing…when we visited omaha violet had to go to the ER. ugh. i’m wondering what IL kids insurance will do….
also: i was kind of looking for you guys at the arch on saturday night–emmylou harris played a free concert & annabelle and i drove down for it. were you there? it was amazing!
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if you went to a teaching hospital, they will most likely write your bill off if you contact them, fill out all of the necessary info (same stuff you probably had to fill out for MO medicaid: income, bills, what’s in your savings, etc). this has happened for us twice & for my sister/her family as well. and even if you did not go to a teaching hospital, they will do something to adjust your expenses. trust me.
we’re dealing with the same thing…when we visited omaha violet had to go to the ER. ugh. i’m wondering what IL kids insurance will do….
also: i was kind of looking for you guys at the arch on saturday night–emmylou harris played a free concert & annabelle and i drove down for it. were you there? it was amazing!
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How about more lemonade stands? Or better yet, where’s that $50 they earned?
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How about more lemonade stands? Or better yet, where’s that $50 they earned?
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Yes – if we have 156 more lemonade stands which pull in $50 each, we’ll have it covered. Maybe we need to make posters saying, “Donations will go to pay for our 3-year-old’s hospital bill from November 2006! Help us keep our sister!”
Think that would work?
🙂
PS – Most of that $50 is still intact, stuffed into their piggy banks. They spent about $5 of it I think. Hmmm…
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Yes – if we have 156 more lemonade stands which pull in $50 each, we’ll have it covered. Maybe we need to make posters saying, “Donations will go to pay for our 3-year-old’s hospital bill from November 2006! Help us keep our sister!”
Think that would work?
🙂
PS – Most of that $50 is still intact, stuffed into their piggy banks. They spent about $5 of it I think. Hmmm…
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if you need to rough somebody up i can help with that
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if you need to rough somebody up i can help with that
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I’m echoing the “appeal and negotiate” sentiments here. I’ll save my U.S. health care rant for another time, but I would definitely get on the horn and call Medicaid AND the hospital a few more times. Persistence can pay off at times.
That said, a sob story sign on the lemonade stand is a pretty good idea!
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I’m echoing the “appeal and negotiate” sentiments here. I’ll save my U.S. health care rant for another time, but I would definitely get on the horn and call Medicaid AND the hospital a few more times. Persistence can pay off at times.
That said, a sob story sign on the lemonade stand is a pretty good idea!
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If you call and talk to the hospital business office, you can negotiate a lower price – it’s kind of like settling in a lawsuit. You do need to know that insurance companies don’t even pay the full amount that hospitals bill them – if your insurance company HAD paid, the would have paid a much lower price than the final bill you receive.
But debt – I understand that stress – I am so sorry. You are correct, God will provide!
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If you call and talk to the hospital business office, you can negotiate a lower price – it’s kind of like settling in a lawsuit. You do need to know that insurance companies don’t even pay the full amount that hospitals bill them – if your insurance company HAD paid, the would have paid a much lower price than the final bill you receive.
But debt – I understand that stress – I am so sorry. You are correct, God will provide!
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