Thank God for Medicare and health insurance.

[John Schmidt]

Just got my Medicare Summary Notice for a procedure last October. I had a kidney stone and had to go in to have it blasted...they called it fragmented. Total charges from just the hospital was $16,884, of which Medicare paid all but $952.....my insurance paid that. And, that wasn't even an overnight stay. That didn't include the urologist, whose fee was another $2,217 and the attending anesthetist(an MD) and his assistant for another $1,000, plus some lab work for another $70. That totals over $20k for a procedure that was totally outpatient covering about six hours all together. My health insurance cost me about $6300 last year for the two of us, plus the monthly Medicare charge taken out of the SS deposit. My insurance also covers all our meds with a maximum of $35 copay if it's a name brand.

Frankly, I don't know how people make it without either the Medicare and/or health insurance. I know a lot of folks suffer through without seeing a doctor....been there, done that. My out-of-pocket cost for the above procedure was zero, just the gas used to get there....about two miles. Do I feel fortunate, you bet. Those of you that have had the thrill of a kidney stone know the cost was worth every penny. My heart goes out to those that have lost their job or for some other reason don't have insurance. Hopefully they can now come up with a healthcare bill that won't break the nation's bank more than it already is.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

My 22 year old son has put me in debt to the tune of $65,000 and counting in less than two years. He has severe back trauma and is unable to hold a job sometimes he can't even move    We've been to several places hoping they will help with the medical bills with zero help.The only way we can get quality help is pay up front. I've refinanced my home twice in the last year and a half . I've had the deed to my home in my hands three times in the last 10 years but if things keep going like they are now I'll never see it again I'll have to work until the day I drop dead  

[JimL]

Joe I am really saddened to hear about your son's injury and the impact it has had on the family.  The first question that came to mind is why he would not qualify for Medicaid due to the circumstances of his injury and his inability to work?

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Joe I am really saddened to hear about your son's injury and the impact it has had on the family.  The first question that came to mind is why he would not qualify for Medicaid due to the circumstances of his injury and his inability to work?

He's been turned down three times we have a lawyer that's working on it now however I think he's a joke 

If he was a Mexican or black that would really help . My worthless white trash cousin get's $1,800.00 a month and has three things in life he does. He hunts and fishes or he's a junkie strung out on all the free drugs he gets. He also claims a bad back. My son did'nt damage his back working he hurt his in a homemade  wrestling ring at his friends house.The damage is sevre and irreversible . Surgery " might " help however I don't have the $90,000 to $110,000 that would cost and no way of getting it plus it has no guarantee 

[Momz]

There you go,...the perfect scenario for revamping the nations health care and heath care insurance industry.
Would you be justified by losing your home due to the extreme cost of medical care?
I am on SS Disability due to spinal chord problems not caused by a work related or other injury. My condition was deemed hereditary,...not my fault or anyone elses. SS Disability doesn't pay much, but it is something at least.
My wife has health care insurance through her employer. It is not very good and they sometimes refuse to pay for some prescribtions (generic or otherwise), but without it we would be broke in a very short time.

[JimL]

He's been turned down three times we have a lawyer that's working on it now however I think he's a joke 

You may be right about him being a joke.  I looked up the requirements and they seemed pretty straightforward to me.

If there are any VRCC members here in TN that are lawyers, this sounds like a good cause....

[fstsix]

It took my wife almost 5 years, and rejected at least 3 times, typical you see, that is what they want, you must admit, a lot of cases are fraud, they save a lot of money buy saying no, Problematic for them if your Doctor is behind you, they will have to Pay your son retroactive back to the filing date years back and for as long as he waited, my lawyer seemed to dragging her feet to, I finally contacted my Senator by phone, i had a letter stating that my insurance would not except her due to Pre existing conditions, i used the Insurance Co as way to prove my need for help, imagine that ? after that call,  Senator Reed approved her case within 24 hr's. and all back pay. I still believe that we need Insurance reform, they own this country. Think Workers Comp & SSI why do you have to have a Lawyer to get help? cant wait for Government Healthcare, hope we have enough lawyers to get a hospital visit.

[MP]

Joe,

I think you need a new lawyer.  I think your son is eligible for the medicare, and to be paid for all the back bills too.  Try to find one that specializes in Medicare.
Good luck.  You deserve it.

MP

[Oss]

Sorry to hear about your boy   If you cant find a smarter attorney who specializes in what you need maybe try this

put your son to work for you and he pays the health insurance.

That might be a heck of a lot cheaper than remortgaging the house every year

You pay his salary (maybe 20k) he pays the insurance that costs 7k a year.  He pays you rent of 12k
or you pay him less and pay the insurance whichever works better in your state
He then uses his income tax refund to pay you back the SSI contribution you make

Just a thought

You would have to pay his SSI contribution on his salary and income tax on the rent money
if you collect rent from him

Play with the numbers

But for the life of me he should be eligible for medicare or medicade if he is not on the deed

Wish I could be more help today

Oss

[Misfit]

I got the hospital bill for a broken leg the other day. $33,000 That does not include the doctors bill. Just the hospital stay, parts, and the use of the OR. The rod that they put in my leg was almost $10,000 and the four screws came to over $400.00 I have not yet recieved the Dr. bill. I am not sure how much of this I will have to stand but my insurance is not that great. I believe I have a $7500.00 deductable. Since I am self employed I am not covered by workmans comp. I will have to stand this myself including the time I have missed at work. The doc told me to allow three months for recovery. I start back to work tomorrow just shy of three and a half weeks off. After sitting idle a lot last year because of the economy taking off three months now is not an option. I am the only income for a family of seven(with one more due the first of May). If I don't work they don't eat.

[GA Mike]

Joe, you've got mail.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Joe, you've got mail.

Thanks for the information Mike     I sent you a reply.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I got the hospital bill for a broken leg the other day. $33,000 That does not include the doctors bill. Just the hospital stay, parts, and the use of the OR. The rod that they put in my leg was almost $10,000 and the four screws came to over $400.00 I have not yet recieved the Dr. bill. I am not sure how much of this I will have to stand but my insurance is not that great. I believe I have a $7500.00 deductable. Since I am self employed I am not covered by workmans comp. I will have to stand this myself including the time I have missed at work. The doc told me to allow three months for recovery. I start back to work tomorrow just shy of three and a half weeks off. After sitting idle a lot last year because of the economy taking off three months now is not an option. I am the only income for a family of seven(with one more due the first of May). If I don't work they don't eat.

I wish you only the best Damon its hard on a workin' man these days    Seems its one step forward and two steps back you just can't get ahead     

[f6john]

I got the hospital bill for a broken leg the other day. $33,000 That does not include the doctors bill. Just the hospital stay, parts, and the use of the OR. The rod that they put in my leg was almost $10,000 and the four screws came to over $400.00 I have not yet recieved the Dr. bill. I am not sure how much of this I will have to stand but my insurance is not that great. I believe I have a $7500.00 deductable. Since I am self employed I am not covered by workmans comp. I will have to stand this myself including the time I have missed at work. The doc told me to allow three months for recovery. I start back to work tomorrow just shy of three and a half weeks off. After sitting idle a lot last year because of the economy taking off three months now is not an option. I am the only income for a family of seven(with one more due the first of May). If I don't work they don't eat.

     I think this and the other examples goes to the heart of the problem. Where do these numbers come from? I know when life and limb are at stake dollars don't matter much but when it comes to health care in particular it seems that it's a license to rape and pillage. And I don't know who to point fingers at, there are a lot of players in the game and everybody has to make a living. I am self employed too and I sure wish I could make out the bill for whatever after the fact and laugh all the way to the bank. My Dad has to have a shot every few weeks that is billed to Medicare/Medicade that is $2000.00 each time!!!!! Really????? I doubt that there are very many Americans that could get critically ill or injured and not be forced into bankruptcy/collections without insurance. The system is out of whack and we need government intervention to help correct what has gone wrong without the government being responsible for the entire health-care system.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

It took my wife three or four trys to get her disablity from social security. The front couple of times is just to see if you really want to go thru the paperwork. I've sure they weed out alot of people just by saying no. It all boils down to playing the game. Good luck Joe hope everything works out for you.

[Misfit]

I got the hospital bill for a broken leg the other day. $33,000 That does not include the doctors bill. Just the hospital stay, parts, and the use of the OR. The rod that they put in my leg was almost $10,000 and the four screws came to over $400.00 I have not yet recieved the Dr. bill. I am not sure how much of this I will have to stand but my insurance is not that great. I believe I have a $7500.00 deductable. Since I am self employed I am not covered by workmans comp. I will have to stand this myself including the time I have missed at work. The doc told me to allow three months for recovery. I start back to work tomorrow just shy of three and a half weeks off. After sitting idle a lot last year because of the economy taking off three months now is not an option. I am the only income for a family of seven(with one more due the first of May). If I don't work they don't eat.

I wish you only the best Damon its hard on a workin' man these days    Seems its one step forward and two steps back you just can't get ahead     

Thanks Joe. My ordeal sounds like childs play compared to what you are going through. I wish you and your family the best. I hope some of the advice givin here can help get you heading in the right direction.