Some Good News

I just got a phone call from the Anesthesiologist's office. They reviewed my hardship letter and decided to give me a 50% discount on my balance. WooHoo! Wow, it does pay to "work the system." I've always been one of those that just pays without any question. Next, I am going to talk to my dentist when I go for my cleaning next week. I've never had dental insurance and have just always been too proud to ask for a discount. I mean, dang, I pay out of pocket right then and there, so they need to do something. Ok, bye for now.

"Hardship Letter"

As if I don't already feel like a bottom of the barrel, can't seem to get to the top ... um, whatever. I got another bill for my LAP from the anesthesiologist. I thought (or was hoping) that his fee may have been included in the hospital bill. Although I really didn't think so, but I had just not gotten a bill yet. So anyway, it wasn't too bad... $984.00. But I decided to suck it up and call to see if they would reduce it some if I paid right then and there over the phone. The lady was very nice on the phone. I gave a brief pitch of what I wanted, and she explained that if I would write a hardship letter to the doctor and explain my situation, i.e. unemployed, no insurance, etc., etc., and include other doctor bills showing where they had given discounts that the doctor(s) there would then meet and review my case and decide whether or not to allow a discount. She said (with confidence) that they usually do (if you ask). So what the hell... I'm off to write a hardship letter. Google, and google and yahoo... search, search, search for ideas and sample letters... with no good luck (at least not for medical hardship letters). Oh, I found plenty for if you couldn't pay your bills or your mortgage. So, I finally just start... and here it is (if anybody needs a sample - not that I'm a writer or anything)...

Dear Dr. B----,

The purpose of this letter is to explain my circumstance of financial hardship. I am currently self-employed and have an individual insurance policy with an “Infertility Rider” attached to it. It will not pay for any procedure of any kind connected to my condition. I have tubal factor infertility and had a laparoscopy to have my tubes removed. You administered anesthesia for my procedure. This is the beginning of my IVF journey, all of which will be out of pocket. I am lucky enough to have family members who are pitching in to help my husband and I attempt to make our dreams of having a family of our own come true. Therefore I am trying to save money where ever I can. I asked Dr. W---- and B---- Medical Center ahead of time for a discount. I did not know who the anesthesiologist would be in order to make arrangements up front. Dr. W----’s fee was $2,400, and he gave me a $400 discount for prompt payment. Also, BMC gave me a discount for paying approximately 15% upfront and then paying the balance within 120 days. I have enclosed receipts and documents to support all of this. While you review my account, please keep in mind the enormous expenses I am about to incur during my IVF endeavor.

Sincerely,


------------------------

So, there!... Simple, honest and straight to the point. Maybe it can be of some help for someone else.

Hospital Bill

So I got the bill from the hospital the other day. It has taken me a few days to believe it... it says... total charges $7811.89... total adjustments $7108.62... balance due $703.27... WOOHOOOO....OMG, i'm definitely NOT going to call and question this bill. I'm still waiting on the anesthesiologist's bill, but surely it would have come by now, right?... So, I'm thinking it may be included in this bill. I kinda would like an itemized bill (I'm just like that - I like to see details). Anyway, my SIL said, "pay that bill quick and don't ask any questions". So in total my surgery cost... 4035.81 + 703.27 = 4739.08 (hospital bill) + 2000.00 (dr. surgeon bill) + 135.00 (pathology reports - what is this??)... anyway, grand total of...... 6,874.08.... woohoo,, i'll take that any day over the original quote of $13 thousand.

So, we've decided that January sounds good for our IVF cycle. Actually, I guess this would start really in December w/ bcp's and then suppresion starting right before the new year (if AF stays on course). That way we can get through all the holidays and birthdays and hunting seasons, etc, etc, etc, but I may have a screwed up New Year's Eve if that's when I would start suppression. We'll just have to wait and see. Anyway, January, February and March are pretty slow so I won't have any other worries and can have full concentration on cycling and hopefully something sticking...