Well my post for today was very different until I found out some upsetting information.
I got my approval letter in the mail for financial assistance through the hospital. I didn’t really understand everything it was saying, so I called today to have it explained to me. My friend I work with, Meaghan, was able to get assistance with the cost of the surgery and only had to pay about $225 for it. Since our insurance states that we must pay 20% (up to $3000) of the surgery cost, I was very excited about this and it was basically why I decided to have the surgery, otherwise couldn’t afford it.
So today I called to find out more about it, and what I would be covered for. I found out that 1. The coverage changed from last year, and it isn’t as good. 2. Everything is based on your income and family size 3. This is basically like applying for additional insurance.
The letter I got had a breakdown of what my deductible or % would be through that specific hospital based on what I made. Because I make less than Meaghan, we thought the covered would be better. What we didn’t think of is that she has a child, thus making her family size 2, not 1 like me.
This is a photo of that breakdown-
If you look down by the bottom, it says “Inpatient Admission” and next to it, it says $8800. That’s MY portion of my surgery. So if my insurance was worse than that, I’d only have to pay $8800. It isn’t, so basically this is NO help to me what-so-ever.
The woman I spoke with told me that last year, they only had 3 tiers, and even if I qualified for tier 3, I’d only have to pay $450, but because of all the changes, this probably wouldn’t help me very much if I have my own insurance. Now they have 6 tiers, 6 being the worst coverage, and 1 being the best. I’m tier 5. I don’t even want to know what tier 6 is.
So I called my insurance company and found out what I have to pay. My insurance has a $500 deductible, and then I have to pay 20%, up to an aggregate total of $3000. So all of my oop expenses that I have will add up throughout the year (co-pays, and such) and once I hit 3000, I don’t have to pay anymore. I have already paid $660.00, so I’ll probably owe the hospital another $2800.
Basically the entire reason why I thought I could do this surgery and why I started is because I thought I would have help. I honestly and truly cannot afford to have ANOTHER debt hanging over my head. I am so frustrated. Nate and I were finally getting on track with all of our finances, things were really looking up. We consolidated our debt and were working to pay it off so we can buy some land next year and start building our house. Our rent has increased and everything is becoming too expensive, and that is why we wanted to start building our house so we had less money going out. But in order to build our house, we have to pay down our debt and save some money for a down payment. It’s like a vicious cycle.
I feel so defeated. We have this huge debt to pay and it’s too late for me to back out. The only thing that made me feel better is when I talked to Nate. He told me we have come too far, and have gone though 8 months of frustration and agony to back out now. Plus, there is a reason I am doing it and money shouldn’t hinder that. I really do love him a lot, without him I think I would have had a major break down. He is so supportive and I am so thankful for him.
I just need to continue to be positive and remember why I am doing this.
No comments:
Post a Comment