Near panic attack today
Hey all,
I just have to tell you what I almost freaked out about today…..I got a letter
from the hospital where I’ll be having surgery. They had verified my insurance
coverage and learned that I have a $250 deductible and an out-of-pocket max of
$1,500. My insurance covers 80%, so that means I will have to pay that total of
$1,750. The letter said the money was due at the time of registration. I don’t
have ANY money right now, let alone $1,700……. I read the letter further and
it said if payment arrangements were needed to call ASAP. So, I was afraid to
call, thinking they may say if I didn’t have at least some of the money, I’d not
be able to have surgery. YIKES!!! SO, when I finally got up the nerve to call(
since I didn’t want to worry about it all weekend) I got a VERY NICE woman named
Hope (how appropriate). I explained my current situation, being out of work and
not having any money right now. She was so sweet. She asked over what period of
time I wanted to make payments. Also said it was OK that I didn’t have any money
up front.OOOOOOOHHHHHH I was sooooo relieved. She arranged for the payments over
24 months, and not to start until January, when I hope to be back to work. I
couldn’t have asked for a kinder person to handle this.
Only 19 more days now.It’s getting more and more real. I went shopping and
bought a few things for post-op. Starting to prepare and freeze meals for my
family to eat while I’m out of commission. Bought SF stuff (jello, pudding,
crystal lite),chewable vitamins (which they now have for adults, Centrum
chewables). Can’t think of anything but this now. Every commercial for food I
think, I won’t be eating that ever again, or at least not for a long time. My
mother said she was scared for me to do it. She couldn’t go without eating like
that. I tried to tell her it’s not forever and I know it will be worth it. She’s
just worried b/c she loves me, I know that.She’ll be happy when it’s over and
I’ve lost alot of weight. When my health problems get better or eliminated all
together.
Sorry so long. Just had to share with those who know how I feel.
Love you guys,
Chris Strange, RN
pre-op / Dr Michael Sabback
surgery scheduled Nov 7, 2002
open RNY w/Fobi band
WARNING: Reduced exposure to the Son may cause excess burning!
December 28th, 2004 at 7:16 am
Chris,
<<I got a letter from the hospital where I’ll be having surgery. They had
verified my insurance coverage and learned that I have a $250 deductible and an
out-of-pocket max of $1,500.
Glad to hear things worked out. What a frightful shock it must have been to
receive that letter. I think my heart would have stopped! $1,750 would be lot
of money for me to have to come up with, how nice they have a realistic payment
plan.