I had an ER visit last month. I had a terrible, horrible migraine with really weird neurological symptoms. Like the right side of my face and right arm going numb, unable to speak, followed by puking and the worst headache I've ever had. I don't know that I've ever had so much pain in my life. In fact, I don't remember ever being in that much pain when I had both of my babies and that was major surgery. I remember thinking at the time, "I don't care what it costs, just take the pain away!"
I'm taking that back now. The first bill came in the mail today. Granted they have to bill our "temp" insurance which has $1000 deductible, but we will still be paying a huge chunk out of our pockets. I told Marshall I should have just died, lol.
I was there about 4 hours, had an IV, a bunch of labs done and what I thought was just a CT brain when I went in. Come to find out, they also did a CT angio head & neck. Any guesses for the going rate of a CTA head or neck? $1200 a pop. Crazy, isn't it? And CT brains are $700. You do the math - it's $3100 JUST in CT's. You wouldn't believe how many ct brains I order every night I work. I won't go into how much the IV push or morphine cost.
Everything came back normal and I am fine but felt a bit strung out the next few days. Anyways, we were going to celebrate paying off our car this month. I was beyond excited. But it looks like this hospital bill will now replace our car payment.
I know I'm complaining. A LOT. But can we ever get ahead? *Sigh*
10 comments:
You know what's funny? My sister took my nephew to the ER a few months ago, and when she got out her insurance card he said, "But mom, I thought Obama made it so we don't have to pay anymore!" LOL, keep dreaming. It seems oddly fortunate that the car is paid off the same moth the medical bills start coming in, doesn't it? I will celebrate Jana's first birthday 2 months before we will celebrate having her paid off! Yay for modern medicine. Hang in there!
It is part of life Tiffany. I have always found that once something is paid off something else comes along. There will always be a car repair, a doctors bill or some sort of event you want to go to. As long as you have a roof over your head and are in good health that is all that matters! I am glad they found nothing wrong.. chalk it up to knowing nothing then ignoring it and not finding out something that was there. HUGS!!
WOW, I can't believe it cost that much! I know how you feel...something always comes along to take your extra money! But the good part is that you have your family and you are feeling better.
I'm so sorry! That totally sucks. Medical bills are absolutely outrageous!!! I'm glad that you are ok though.
I agree with Avry, Its LIFE! Been there done that. I remember so well wondering if we were going to make it to the next paycheck. It does get better. Married 40 years and the last several years has been so nice not to worry so much about money.
I hate that! I guess you could look at it that you were lucky your car payment was done with so you could pay for this, instead of having both! Hugs. - We miss you guys. I'm going to be in salt lake the weekend of the 25th, maybe we could hook-up.
Tiff that happened to my mom when we were in Jr. High. Her right side was totally numb. It was like that for a week or so. They thought it was MS but it turned out just to be a hotspot in her neck or something flared up. Hope everything gets better! I totally understand the never getting ahead thing.
Oh, Tiffany. This is our life story too. We are hoping now that we are incapable of having more babies that the medical expenses will get better for us since pregnancy has been the direct cause or underlying cause of nearly ALL our medical bills since marriage. ugh.
Hang in there and fight for a discount. All it takes is a call to the billing department and some persistance. (We only paid 50% of Mine and Eli's hospital expenses after having him - which was great due to NICU charges, yikes - and only 65% of mine and Ava's. Medicaid paid for Dean and I.) Everything in life is negotiable so take advantage. :o)
That's crazy! I had the same things happening to me, but it wasn't as severe as yours, but I was having migraines, with tunnel vision and numbing in my face. I went to the doctor and he said my birth control pills were causing it, crazy huh? So, did they find out what was going on with you after all of those tests?
So, they pump you with morphine, do all this stuff and then say "hey, your good, see you later. If it happens again, then come in and we will do the same thing." does that worry you?
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