Renee in NC Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 (edited) $2,198:001_huh: The estimate of $1,165 they gave me at the ER included only the ER visit (set fee based on severity, scale of 1-10, ds was a 5.) Of course, now I am doubting my decision to take him in. I did because of the following: fontanel sunk in "spider webs" on hands and feet (and they were ice cold) lack of ability to hold anything down (even an ounce of Pedialyte was vomited up) he was so lethargic we have no doctor here yet (so no one to call) No wet diaper for 7 hours (biggest reason) He was very dehydrated - the first 6 hours in the ER they didn't do much because they couldn't get any blood from him or get an IV in. I wish I had refused all the tests - I was pretty sure it was viral (no fever) and it had only been 3 days. Maybe he would have been okay or maybe he wouldn't have. How do you decide when it is the right thing to do? Then I think if I *hadn't* taken him in, he could have ended up much, much worse. With the fluid they gave him, he was able to go another couple of days throwing up without getting as severely dehydrated again. (He is 6 months old and not on solid food yet.) What would you have done? Edited August 17, 2009 by Renee in FL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5kidsforME Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 When did you go to the ER? ETA: What time during the day that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdogs29906 Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Medical bills stink! But, I'd have taken him in. I think you made the right choice. Medical bills are no fun, but usually hospitals are pretty agreeable to working out a payment plan. If money is tight, just keep saying "no" to the first couple of payment plans they offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4kiddies Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I absolutely think you made the right decision. While the money sucks it could have been much worse. Please don't second-guess yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I was a pediatric Advanced cardiac life support instructor and you definitely made the right decision to take your dc into the ER IMO. :grouphug:I hope all goes well and sorry for the bill. This is why I believe in healthcare reform since this should not be a worry for people:sad: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 When did you go to the ER? ETA: What time during the day that is. At 9pm that night. Basically, that was when we all (dh, my mother, and I) compared notes and realized he hadn't had a wet diaper in 7 hours. (I am editing the OP to include that.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Rat Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 You made the right decision. The money thing hurts (I know, I have insurance and it still cost my $443 for my youngest's broken hand last month-the total bill was $2,500) but you will never regret the money like you would serious injury. And I agree with bigdogs, the hospital will work with you. When I was in college a lady I worked with was still paying for the birth of her child. She paid $20 a month. He was 5 at the time and she wasn't anywhere near paying it off. But she sent her money every month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 $2,198:001_huh: The estimate of $1,165 they gave me at the ER included only the ER visit (set fee based on severity, scale of 1-10, ds was a 5.) Of course, now I am doubting my decision to take him in. I did because of the following: fontanel sunk in "spider webs" on hands and feet (and they were ice cold) lack of ability to hold anything down (even an ounce of Pedialyte was vomited up) he was so lethargic we have no doctor here yet (so no one to call) He was very dehydrated - the first 6 hours in the ER they didn't do much because they couldn't get any blood from him or get an IV in. I wish I had refused all the tests - I was pretty sure it was viral (no fever) and it had only been 3 days. Maybe he would have been okay or maybe he wouldn't have. How do you decide when it is the right thing to do? Then I think if I *hadn't* taken him in, he could have ended up much, much worse. With the fluid they gave him, he was able to go another couple of days throwing up without getting as severely dehydrated again. (He is 6 months old and not on solid food yet.) What would you have done? Lethargy? I would have taken him in. We took our two-year-old in last year, about 24 hours after he started throwing up, and he ended up being hospitalized for two days at a cost of $3675.30. Once they start going downhill, they can go down fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5kidsforME Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 At 9pm that night. Basically, that was when we all (dh, my mother, and I) compared notes and realized he hadn't had a wet diaper in 7 hours. (I am editing the OP to include that.) Then it wouldn't have mattered if you had a Dr. or not. They would have told you to go to the ER. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 You did the right thing. Talk to the hospital. I assume you're uninsured? They will work with you and often write off part of the bill, especially if you're uninsured. At the least they can set up a reasonable playment plan, insured or not. Get it in writing--I learned that the hard way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 You did the right thing. It probably would have ended up costing much more if you'd waited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranberry Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 yep, please do contact the hospital and let them know you if you can't pay it off all at once. My Mom once paid $5 a month for a broken bone bill. If you just put it in writing with the bill and are faithful about paying, they shouldn't have an issue. It sure sounds like you did the right thing...hope babe is ok by now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 You did the right thing. It probably would have ended up costing much more if you'd waited. That's what I keep telling myself. I have been researching insurance the past couple of days, but even the high deductible plan I had found wouldn't have covered this, BUT we might have gotten contracted rates instead of full price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I would have taken him in. I hate ER visits. The billing is crazy. The bill from the hospital frequently doesn't even cover the doctor's fee. I'm sorry you're having to deal with this, but I do think you did the right thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom0012 Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Is there any possibility you can negotiate with the hospital to get billed something closer to what a contracted rate with an insurance company would be? I thought I had heard in the past that hospitals would do this. It is ridiculous that you have to pay 3X as much just because you don't have insurance. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I can't imagine not taking your son in. No amount of money would be worth having something happen to your child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 Is there any possibility you can negotiate with the hospital to get billed something closer to what a contracted rate with an insurance company would be? I thought I had heard in the past that hospitals would do this. It is ridiculous that you have to pay 3X as much just because you don't have insurance. Lisa I plan to call and ask them this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OHGrandma Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 $2,198:001_huh: The estimate of $1,165 they gave me at the ER included only the ER visit (set fee based on severity, scale of 1-10, ds was a 5.) Of course, now I am doubting my decision to take him in. I did because of the following: fontanel sunk in "spider webs" on hands and feet (and they were ice cold) lack of ability to hold anything down (even an ounce of Pedialyte was vomited up) he was so lethargic we have no doctor here yet (so no one to call) No wet diaper for 7 hours (biggest reason) He was very dehydrated - the first 6 hours in the ER they didn't do much because they couldn't get any blood from him or get an IV in. I wish I had refused all the tests - I was pretty sure it was viral (no fever) and it had only been 3 days. Maybe he would have been okay or maybe he wouldn't have. How do you decide when it is the right thing to do? Then I think if I *hadn't* taken him in, he could have ended up much, much worse. With the fluid they gave him, he was able to go another couple of days throwing up without getting as severely dehydrated again. (He is 6 months old and not on solid food yet.) What would you have done? I think you were on the cusp of him getting much, much worse. Another hour or two and he might not have bounced back as quickly as he did. If I'm reading your post right, they would have charged less if he was in worse shape? So, if he was nearer death it would have been cheaper? That sure would have been false economy. In case it's not clear, I think you were 100% correct in getting that baby in to the ER with those symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 I think you were on the cusp of him getting much, much worse. Another hour or two and he might not have bounced back as quickly as he did. If I'm reading your post right, they would have charged less if he was in worse shape? So, if he was nearer death it would have been cheaper? That sure would have been false economy. In case it's not clear, I think you were 100% correct in getting that baby in to the ER with those symptoms. No, they would have charged more if he was sicker - sorry I wasn't clear. I was more thinking that maybe he would have gotten better even without the IV. That is all I was looking for - an IV of fluids!:tongue_smilie: Sorry, I am just irritated because I was trying to figure out how to NOT get Medicaid for the dc (and get some type of insurance instead), but now I have to figure out how to make payments AND pay for insurance :glare: if I want to avoid Medicaid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomLovesClassics Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I am not suprised. I am assuming that you do not have medical insurance? Ask for an itemized bill. Make sure that bill includes the codes and everything. Keep in mind, they charge everything seperate, the needle, inserting the needle, the tube, the thingy that connects the needle to the tube, the fluid, etc. If you have the willpower, time energy etc. find out the average cost and then attempt to get them to lower your bill. I can tell you making payment arrangements does not work. I have done that in the past, and they agreed to accept my payments, then took my payments for 3 months and turned it over to a collection agency. Sometimes they will check your income and see if you qualify for services etc. There are sites you can go to to check to see if your hospital charges more than average. You can also ask if you can pay what the service cost without paying the profit, I forget the proper term of the top of my head. It depends on how much energy and effort you want to put into it. There are even groups that will fight for your behalf to get the bill reduced. I had a $12,000 emergency room bill for vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, and that did not include the $2500 for the ultrasound. I am not even going to go into how it was the worst visit to the emergency room in my life. I also got another bill for $27,000 for a nonlive birth(5 1/2 mos) vaginal delivery. That time I did get good care, but I can tell you the price is way above average. I had the opportunity to go on telivision about my huge bill, but had to decline. I was told if I did usually the hospital throws the bill away they don't like the negative publicity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I'm so sorry, but I would have taken my child in given the symptoms you listed. Also, I'm think they might have sent you to ER if it was after hours; in fact, the local 'doc in the box' type clinic sent my friend to ER with similar conditions. So maybe you would have ended up in ER anyway. These medical bills are horrifying. You're in my prayers. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 You did the right thing. At 6 months babies get dehydrated very quickly and if something worse had happened it would be hard to forgive yourself (BTDT). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I absolutely would have taken a child in that condition in. If a mother called me in my professional hat as an IBCLC or when I was still an LLL with those symptoms in an infant I would have said "get off the phone now & go to emerg." In fact, I may have said call 911 & get an ambulance. Babies can deteriorate fast. Esp with the H1N1 flu that's been going around, I would not wait. Minutes count. But then I'm in Canada. Some provinces are charging ~$50 for an ambulance ride (which if you have private health care you'll be reimbursed). Otherwise, care like this is covered under the provincial health plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 you definitely did the right thing. Call the billing office, determine if you are able to agree to a settlement balance, and a payment plan. IMO, they will be thrilled that you intend to pay at least part of the bill. I think they will work with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MommyX8 Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 When my last was a few days old, she wouldn't nurse and got pretty yellow. We ended up going to a lactation consultant and she immediately got admitted. She was in the hospital for 24 hours under the bili lights. My bill for that 24 hour visit was $29,600. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 When the question is between money and my baby's health, I would have done the same thing you did. To heck with the money. If your child had died from dehydration, you could only wish that ~3K could bring him back! It is just money - hands down, you made the best decision! *hugs* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 (edited) You have applied for Medicaid right? They will cover anything from the date you applied. In fact, they will ask you that! I did the ER on friday night with DD since she dumped a bowl of glass and had blood and glass everywhere. Nothing was "major", but i didn't trust us to get them all cleaned up. They ended up digging a piece out of her foot. But it was 17 small cuts. Ye gads. Don't 2nd guess it, you did the right thing :grouphug: ETA: i see that you are trying to avoid Medicaid. I highly suggest applying for Healthy Kids if you haven't already - it's still a PPO but it's at least affordable and they cover pre-existing while you sort out what to do. They might throw you to Medicaid depending on income and age of the kids (under 5 goes there). Edited August 17, 2009 by TraceyS/FL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 When my last was a few days old, she wouldn't nurse and got pretty yellow. We ended up going to a lactation consultant and she immediately got admitted. She was in the hospital for 24 hours under the bili lights. My bill for that 24 hour visit was $29,600. :eek: I'm flabbergasted! My dd was in the NICU for a week because she was born at 32 weeks. Our bill (in Venezuela) was less than a third of that for a private hospital and it was completely covered by our Hospitalization, Maternity and Surgery supplemental insurance. Nobody's been in the hospital since we moved to the US, and with prices like that, I sure hope that continues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomLovesClassics Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 PLEASE get a very good look at the bill before you pay it. Make certain there are no double charges, or incorrect charges. Also some hospitals are more agressive than others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 You have applied for Medicaid right? They will cover anything from the date you applied. In fact, they will ask you that! They will sometimes pay 90 days retroactive. Renee, you guys work and pay taxes, plus you're still trying to get back on your feet after losing a home and business to this economy. Please take the medicaid or whatever you qualify for. That's what it's there for. You did the right thing taking the baby in. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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