Planning for SURGERY!!!

Avatar for 2locachicas
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
Planning for SURGERY!!!
4
Wed, 03-15-2006 - 10:11am

I just found out yesterday I have to have surgery. It's not a huge deal, but it is surgery and it is near(but not in) my brain. In the past...how have you planned for upcoming medical bills? Our hospital charges parking & I will have copays & DH will have to eat while he is there. He has plenty of paid time off so we are covered there. But I am not sure what to do/what questions to ask of the financial office while I am there.

I am so nervous about all of it but I am so into my budget I am almost more worried about my budget than the surgery;-)

Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 03-15-2006 - 10:18am

I can't really help you on the budgeting side (I don't usually do well with that) - could DH bring food into the hospital to eat?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-17-2003
Wed, 03-15-2006 - 10:28am

My suggestion is to ensure the procedures and testing are run through your insurance for pre-approval. Last week I had an emergency ct scan for appendicitis and my physician told me we had to first call my insurance for pre-approval. She said effective January 1st many health insurance companies (including Blue Cross) have modified their coverage to require pre-approval or they can/will refuse to provide coverage.

Thank goodness my physician is up on these things. I can't imagine forking over the cost without insurance.

Best wishes for a smooth operation and speedy recovery.

Carolyn

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Wed, 03-15-2006 - 2:41pm

I have a monthly fund for hospital bills.

 

Image hosting by TinyPic

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 03-15-2006 - 2:52pm

I haven't had to deal with anyone having surgery here and I'm sitting you prayers and positive thoughts on that account. But, my DD did have an MRI last year and I was worried about the expenses so I called the business office ahead of time to figure out how much it would cost. They seemed greatly amused and did point out that a lot of variables exist (is additional anesthetic needed? what all did the dr. order? etc.) but were able to give me a ballpark figure and explain the hospitals billing system. Just knowing that helped me feel so much better. Then I followed their advice and each time we received a bill called and set up a payment schedule. This went much better than the costs associated with DS's birth which we're still paying off some CC costs for that today (I had GD so ultrasound every other week, specialist, insulin, DS had complications so we had the specialist for that, etc., etc.) but you know what? I love that scamp despite all the extra costs LOL.

Taleyna