Yesterday I sent Brant to the mailbox in hopes of finding Christmas cards from family and friends. I love even the often joked about family letters. They bring a smile to my face while at the same time reminding me that time passes by way to quickly.
Alas, there were no cards. Instead I was handed a handful of bills from Parker’s last surgery and hospital stay.
Now I totally understand that we need to pay for services provided. But yesterday I found myself thinking about how much easier and less stressful a Christmas season could be if a hospital simply chose not to send any bills out until January. I’m not asking them to waive any fees. Just give families already up to their noses in medical debt a brief respite from those long white envelopes informing us that, yes, they truly can charge you almost $15.00 for a single dose of Tylenol.
And although you provided from your home a certain medication that their pharmacy doesn’t carry, you will still be charged for the nurse administering that medication. Even if you distinctly remember being the one to give your child that medication each evening you were up there.
Ya gotta love it, Baby.
This is ONE of the bills we received yesterday. Count those pages. This bill includes the time in the OR but NOT the surgeon’s bill or the money due to the surgical team. Those bills will come in separate envelopes. This billing details meds administered, each time Parker was hooked up and taken off his vent. General stuff like that.
And notice the total:
Now, to be honest, our insurance will pick up a chunk of this bill. That is until Parker has maxed out his 1,000,000 lifetime limit, which we are quickly coming up on. But there are lots of things that our insurance won’t touch on this bill.
One item is Parker’s Neocate formula. We still have a very large outstanding bill from previous trips to the hospital where they charge outrageous amounts for the 850 cc’s of Neocate Parker receives via his g-tube each day.
And though I have pleaded and begged, they won’t allow us to bring up our own Neocate for Parker. Oh, we could bring it up and feed it to Parker. But PCMC would still charge as though they provided it for Parker.
Yet another hospital policy that drives me totally NUTS. sigh.
But even with all of the things that drive me up the wall with PCMC, my family and I are still going to figure out a way to take up some gifts for the kids that will be spending Christmas there this year. Parker spent his first Christmas at Primary’s and was given some of the sweetest gifts donated to PCMC by other families. Our gifts will be very simple: a few coloring books, some crayons, a couple of board games and perhaps a few Signing Time DVD’s.
But they will be donated with love and appreciation for all that has been done for Parker. It is just one very small way that we are trying to ‘pay it forward’ for the love and generous hearts that have shared and continue to share with our family.
You will never know how important that love and support has been to our family.
Thank you.
Oh those charges are just wrong – ugh. You are such a good family to pay things forward too. There need to be more people like you in the world.
Okay so not right! I can’t even imagine! My son was on Neocate for a awhile and I thought that would break us! Luckily I was able to switch him over to rice milk and he eats table foods now. Besides some minor eczema (sporadically spread over his body) he seems to be doing well. I pray the Lord will work out all the financial details and will somehow provide the funds to meet all of Parker’s needs. I know it probably seems impossible but just remember- with God ALL things are possible! Take care and like always, Parker is in our prayers!
Twitter: livingingrace
says:
Oh sweets, I love when those love letters from the hospital come
Here’s one for you- I went to the ER when my catheter pops off the cap, only to be told that they didn’t have the supplies to fix it. I literally walked in to the waiting room, the triage nurse came out and told me they couldn’t help me and I left. 5 minutes tops.
I then got a bill- $349.00 (Triage).
Yeah. I called the insurance company and told them what happened. They won’t pay it. And the hospital ended up writing it off.
Geesh.
I think the coloring books and crayons are perfect. And more important is the love it comes with.
Hugs to you and Mr. P.
I wish I had a million dollars to give you. But I don’t. Sending Parker and you lots of love. I still want to see you come Christmas time, yes?
Oh Tammy, I wish I could do something to helo with those BIG bills!
But I know you are just happy to have Parker with you and have him home! And I think it is so wonderful that you will be giving sweet gifts and thoughts at Christmas to those who must celebrate the holiday in the hospital.
Much love and tons of hugs and kisses to sweet little Parker. I hope he is feeling better!!
Amy
Wiz,
A Million Dollars or your love and a visit! I’ll choose the love and visit each and every time! Simply Priceless!
I’m sorry this had to come right now. What a crappy way to say “Happy holidays”. But, I have to say that I am impressed. Your love and grace is awesome. In every way. Merry Christmas!!!
With hospital bills like that, it’s easy to believe you’ll eventually reach that max, Tammy. Unbelievable. The charges I’ve seen on hospital bills are just as you describe them – just completely ridiculous and it makes you want to pull your hair out.
It’s so, so sad when little ones have to be in the hospital on Christmas. What a sweet thing your family is doing for them. Paying it forward. I love that.
I am so frustrated for you and Parker and those darn bills! I wish you all could just catch a break
40K for one hospital visit? Wow! That is harsh.
Good for you for thinking of those others stuck up at the hospital. You really are such a great example of charity.
Dang, just dang. It sucks, it really does. Can I send some of Ben’s medicaid to Parker?!