Comments on: What a 9-day hospital stay taught me about health insurance

By: Kellie

Kellie — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:44:12 +0000

This is so close to what happend to me. The thing that is really kills me is that I asked over and over to be released and go home. They didn’t know what was wrong with me but all vitals were fine. They did test after test (Cat scans, Hida scans, xrays, ultrasound) then wanted to do a test that had to be scheduled for two days later. They would not let me go home and come back for the test. Is this america or what? I feel like even if I died they should have let me go home if that is what I wanted. Now I have a $4000.00 bill for much of a hospital stay that I did not want or ask for. Is there any way to fight this?

By: Dave Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps | beingfrugal.net

Dave Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps | beingfrugal.net — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:01:48 +0000

[...] because you know you can survive until you find a new one. You have the security of knowing you can pay high deductibles for medical issues if the need [...]

By: Gail

Gail — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:52:57 +0000

I pray everyone is ok now. I too know how confusing EOBs are; May 06 I was diagnosed leukemia and lymphoma cancer; am 52 yo female; had no insurance at first until 3 months later. I was in hospital for 65 days in one visits of many. I made sure I received itemized bills, checked with EOBs and even today am still paying bills on my budget. ALSO DOUBLE CHECK YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS. Found out that they had incorrect medical records on me that had my ID but were actually other patients. I now put money aside for medical bills; was unprepared. I’ve been in remission now. Emergencies can happen. Be prepared.

By: kentuckyliz

kentuckyliz — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:54:35 +0000

Another lesson: know your certificate of coverage.

Because the insurance company isn’t always right. Don’t just trust your EOB’s.

My insurance switched carriers this year, and at the exact same time, I got dx’d with breast cancer. I was fighting over bills with the insurance company for MONTHS! They were denying things left and right for the most amazing stupid reasons and a different one every time I called.

Turns out they had the contract loaded wrong, the provider directory wasn’t loaded yet (so it kicked out everything as “out of network”), and our certificate of coverage is very different than most. (Much more patient friendly.)

But I was all over Humana like a dog with a bone and they finally realized they were the problem, loaded the contracts right, and got the provider directory loaded…and everything has been processed just fine.

Yes, you need health insurance. My retail bills are close to $400k so far; even an 80/20 plan would devastate me. I’ve just paid a handful of $10 specialist visit co-pays.

I’m a healthy athlete and this diagnosis came out of nowhere!!!

Regarding all those “extra” bills–if your health insurance company denies a radiologist, anesthesiologist, or pathologist bill, make sure the hospital’s charges are submitted and paid first, then contact the insurance company and ask them to resubmit the denied claim under paralogic. Because the patient cannot control what radiologist, anesthesiologist, or pathologist does the work.

Never give up, take notes, call and harass on a regular basis, beat them into submission. That’s what I’ve learned.

By: Step 3: Fully Funded Emergency Fund | beingfrugal.net

Step 3: Fully Funded Emergency Fund | beingfrugal.net — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:37:36 +0000

[...] because you know you can survive until you find a new one. You have the security of knowing you can pay high deductibles for medical issues if the need [...]

By: Sunday Money Roundup - Record Breaking Edition. | My Two Dollars

Sunday Money Roundup - Record Breaking Edition. | My Two Dollars — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 15:03:23 +0000

[...] Dough Roller talks about “What a 9-day hospital stay taught me about health insurance“. I feel the pain, I am still digging out from my medical bills. I hope your wife is OK [...]

By: Weekly Round Up - Thanks For Visiting!

Weekly Round Up - Thanks For Visiting! — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 14:48:19 +0000

[...] Dough Roller – What a 9-day hospital stay taught me about health insurance. Thankfully, his wife is fine.. but this is a scary situation for anyone to deal [...]

By: Money Crashing Articles of The Week by Money Crashers

Money Crashing Articles of The Week by Money Crashers — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 01:03:12 +0000

[...] The Dough Roller’s personal account about his experience with a 9 day stay at a hospital and what he learned about health insurance. [...]

By: FFB

FFB — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:53:04 +0000

I truly wish you and your wife well and hope she is doing better!

It’s unfortunate that it takes an experience like this to find out how your insurance will cover a need! It’s a shame it has to be so complex. Who knows what is really getting charged on these bills. Remember the days when the gov’t would spend something like $30k on a screwdriver? I bet that happens all the time on hospital bills.

Seeing Sicko by Michael Moore was shocking. It really makes you think of moving to another country!

Again, I hope your wife feels better!

By: fathersez

fathersez — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:05:19 +0000

All the best for your wife’s continued recovery.

You make a very good point that at times like this money may not be the most important things on our mind.

Still to be informed and prepared for the intricacies of health insurance should be useful.