Medical Bills and old emotions

Avatar for cl_beckty
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Medical Bills and old emotions
10
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 2:29pm

Sigh...


Can I vent here for just a moment?


I don't know how many of you have lived in terror of the mail and/or collections calls. But I lived there for many years when I was single and Ty was constantly sick and in the ER or doc's office. And I had no insurance for part of that time, and inadequate (shocker) the rest of the time.


Last night I got the mail and in it was a letter from my family doctor's office stating "as you know, we've had multiple unsuccessful attempts to collect on Tyler's account. Now, your account is in collections and you have 30 days to get a new family physician for Tyler. During that 30 days I will see him in emergency situations only"


I was SO PO'ed!!!!


I have an account there. J has an account there. And Ty has one. I spent YEARS trying to find a good doctor, who would really listen and give good referrals and pay attention to Ty's health concerns. This was the BEST ONE I'VE EVER HAD. And I finally felt somewhat successful at providing the health care my son constantly needs.


I have been paying on my account with them. I only have so much cash flow, and have quite a few bills. I PAY ON THEM! They see that I pay on MY account. I never ever got statements on Ty. They know where I live. Somehow something got screwed up. But, because I got mine, it never occured to me that Ty's wasn't paid in full by insurance.


I was so mad. I went into the bathroom and just burst into tears. Every old feeling of inadequacy came rushing back. The terror of having people want money I don't have. Having my name blackened by more collection accounts. Not being able to take care of Ty and provide a GOOD DOCTOR. I just felt horrible.


I was SO CLOSE to calling that doc's office and leaving a scathing message on their answering service. I mean, if I PAID ON MY account, why in GOD'S NAME do they think I'd just be letting this slide?


It's probably a measly 100 bucks that they did this to me over.


They'll be getting 5 bucks a month on MY account from me till it's paid off, and that is it. (I owe about a hundred there too) and their name is mud. And J will no longer be going there.


And now I have to start my "good doctor" search all over again.


Sigh...Thanks for listening. I was just sick over this last night.

Becky

Becky

 

 

Avatar for cl_tcranky1
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 2:38pm

Aww Becky, that just plain stinks!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-06-2002
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 2:39pm

HUGS Becky --


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2004
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 2:41pm
Don't search for a new doctor yet. And don't take this personally.

Call the office and get it cleared up. With the advent of managed health care I am betting they turned over their billing to some agency or got the practice bought out and the computer sent a form letter.

You have to have thicker skin when it comes to docs and bills.

I always make payments on doctor's bills. I don't even ask for permission - I just do it. OR I negotiate a lower rate for the "written check right now" - if they give me a discount for paying now I do it otherwise they have to do it the hard way. We have a very high deductible and medical savings account but it all comes out of my pocket. I am a brutal negotiator!!!

You sound like you are having a bad day and this triggered pain and bad memories. Hugs to you and Ty. Hang in there.

Avatar for cl_beckty
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 2:44pm

That bit about healthcare being all about business and nothing about service anymore was exactly what J said last night. He piped right up that seemed to him there was a day when doctors made house calls. Not easy ones either. And they took whatever was offered in payment sometimes, because it was about serving people.


It's crap. I feel better today. But man, I was LOW last night. Thanks.

Becky

Becky

 

 

Avatar for cl_beckty
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 2:48pm

Thanks. I admit to NOT having very thick skin when it comes to stuff like this. I've been dumped on too many times by rude bad attitudes. And I am just sick of it.


Even if they do make it right (they aren't very nice there. Only the doc is) it would be hard for me to go back. They had the doctor himself sign it. I am sure so that I can't come back on the office people. They can just say "Well, the doctor signed it himself".


I always make payments too. Honestly, even if I can afford to pay the thing in full right then, I don't usually. It's a snowball thing. I only have so much to put to doc's bills evey month, and they all get their piece. That's it.


I'll think on this some more.


You are right. It was some very OLD pains that thing dredged up. It took me a while to realize why I was ranting and raving like that. When I finally slowed down, I realized I was on the verge of tears and when I gave it a second it became clear to me why.

Becky

Becky

 

 

Avatar for cl_beckty
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 2:50pm
Thank you Mary Beth. It sure ISN'T fair huh! I have a sweet DH who snuggled away the rest of the evening with me and helped make it better. I should be more trusting that that was my OLD life, and this new one isn't scary and broke with a sick child anymore. Hard to be rational right in the middle of your upset though, know what I mean?
Becky

Becky

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 2:51pm
Becky,

I am sooo sorry to hear this! I know it hurts you right now, but business is business and sometimes things do get mixed up. If it is a misunderstanding, it may be worth the trouble to talk it over with the clinic and keep your good doctor. Chances are the Doctor hasn't even got a clue about this and it's all being handled by their accounting department.

I had a similar situation happen with my dd after I left my ex-husband. They couldn't collect payment from his insurance on an $88 claim and he wouldn't pay for it (butthole that he was at the time!) This went on for almost a year. I never got the statements because I had moved. They had changed the address on my file, but not dd's. So even though I receiving care and paying my bills all along, dd's account went into default because it was never paid.

I found out about it when I called to make her an appointment and they told me they would not see her unless it was an emergency! You can imagine my surprise!

Once we all realized what a misunderstanding it was, the accounting rep was very helpful and even apologetic. My doctor never had a clue what had gone on. We made arrangements to pay the bill and everything was ok from that point on. I even got butthole to pay for half of it.

Basically all I am saying is don't take it so personally right now. It's most likely an automatic way of responding to patients because they have do deal with recovering fees all the time. If I were you, I'd call them up (calmly), state your case and see how they respond. If they are still unwilling to work with you, then that's the time to dump them.

(((hugs)))) sorry this happened to you too!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2004
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 2:52pm
If the doctor signed it that could be a bad sign.

At any rate, I would call to clarify.

And finally, this could be a blessing in disguise because maybe there is a BETTER doctor and doctor's office around the corner!!

Keep us posted!!

Avatar for cl_tcranky1
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 3:09pm

One thing I have to say is though I agree in some sense you were obviously feeling more upset because of past feelings than you would have been had it just been this one occurence, I would still seek a new doctor.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 07-27-2004 - 5:33pm
Hugs, Bec. I just now read this . . . didn't see it earlier.

I agree with Tara that I would write a letter. And while the doctor may have signed the letter, part of me wonders if he didn't sign a stack of 100 the same day and didn't really realize who some of them were going to. I've had that happen to me personally.

As to all of those old feelings coming up - sigh - how old will we be, how much time has to pass, before we quit doing that kind of stuff? I hope you are feeling better today.