Today I am finding myself faced with a very difficult situation. My wife went to a doctor last year and asked prior to being treated to have them check to see if the services were covered. She had them check three times – twice over the phone and once in person. After being assured that they were covered, she consented to treatment. Then, after the third visit (all of which were 2 weeks apart), she was told that the services were NOT covered, and that we owed $1600.
Now this office is trying to take us to court. It apparently doesn’t matter to them that we don’t have the money, as we probably signed the ubiquitous consent forms that transferred all liability to us in the event that our insurance didn’t pay.
It’s tremendously upsetting, especially considering the fact that my wife was so meticulous in gaining their assurance that services would be covered, since we could not pay for them otherwise.
Of course, in addition to all of this, we need new tires for the van and my car has simultaneously developed a hole in the exhaust system, an axle problem of some sort (according to one mechanic…we’re going to have to get a second opinion) and the check engine light came on yesterday.
There are, not surprisingly, other pressing financial issues to contend with as well.
Your prayers for a just resolution to this would be greatly appreciated. (If you want to pray that we receive a miraculous donation, or that the problem(s) will just mysteriously go away, I’ll take that too!)
I’ll say a rosary or two for you and your family, a couple of St.Michael’s I will offer also.
Thanks. It’s much appreciated.
Don’t you live in America?
Sue the bastards who told you it was covered.
That is SO aggravating. I really don’t think they have a legal right to demand payment. Some good friends of mine are in a low income bracket and they are expecting their fifth child in about 7 years. Needless to say, on top of all the normal family expenses these pregnancies incurred a lot of medical bills they just couldn’t afford to pay. They told me the hospital cannot really prosecute you as long as you pay on the bills a little each month. So they set up payment plans for each bill - $20/month or something. Last I heard, they were still paying off the bills for their first child. You might look into that. In any case, you’ll be in our prayers.
You have my heartfelt prayers. Financial gutpunches are tough. My car needs more work, too, but it’s going to wait until the next paycheck at the earliest.
Remember you’ll be getting a government stimulation by July, if that’s any consolation.
Drop me a line, too–I have some ideas.
“financial gutpunches”- well said and isn’t it always thus? I woke up this morning at 3:47AM and lay in bed worrying about food rationing, paying bills and how to keep my kids in their Traditional Catholic school that is half an hour away. Carpooling is not even an option b/c all our families are so big!
Our gas bill last month was $1000.
Sometimes I think that those of us who have tried to live our Faith have been set up and we are only now about to begin to pay the cost.
Mary,
Agreed. One of the things we’re trying to come up with is the $4,000 to send Kiana to a good Catholic school next year. We’ve reached our limits on productive homeschooling. (The blessing is that we’ve found a school that is, while not entirely traditional, at least leaning that way - they offer a TLM every week, and will offer more if they can find a priest to say it. It’s also only a few miles away!)
And then, of course, there’s the downpayment money we’re trying to come up with for the house, so I can stop squandering half of my income on rent.
Being faithful and being fruitful can at times feel like it’s self-defeating. I sometimes wonder why it seems that every time we have a shot at getting ahead, a wave of fingers comes grasping for my wallet.
I wish I could figure out what He’s thinking sometimes.