We received one of these in the mail today:
It’s a flyer inviting Parker to a class that teaches a child what to expect in anticipation of their surgery.
I find it kind of funny that we get these. Because with all of the surgeries that Parker has had, he could be the one TEACHING this class.
You know. If he could talk.
It wasn’t two hours after we had received this card that the phone rang.
PCMC calling.
And they’d like some money now, thankyouverymuch.
I told them I’d get right on that.
As soon as we actually have some to send them.
My insurance company has paid this facility a lot of money.
We have drained our savings, our children’s college funds, and everything else we could to pay them their fees. Many of these fees being incredibly, incredibly inflated over the actual cost of the item being billed for.
We’ve had friends donate money directly to PCMC to be used for Parker. Yet when we tried to have those donations applied to Parker’s bills, we were told that all money donated goes directly into the ‘general donation fund.’
The same general donation fund that Parker can’t draw from as he has insurance. Even if that same insurance doesn’t cover anywhere near what we are being billed for.
So, the money our friends donated was used towards someone else’s kid.
Did you know that most of all donated monies to PCMC goes to those who are not US citizens? And we aren’t just talking the south of the border kind. We are talking those from all over the world that PCMC provides charity care for. With no cost.
We, however, have only been offered a payment plan that comes with an interest rate higher than our own credit cards.
I’ll never understand how those who come to PCMC with insurance are treated the worst.
We’re still trying to figure out how to just find the funds for the week Parker will be up at PCMC.
I’m trying to keep my focus on Parker and getting him through this. It will be a rough week. Then comes the recovery after that. And it takes a good month for Parker to recover emotionally from a surgery. That’s where my energy should be right now.
Not on PCMC and bills.
15 days and counting until the second part of Parker’s PSARP surgery. Teeny Tiny Designer Hiney here we come.
I obviously don’t know your situation, but most insurance plans come with a maximum out of pocket that you have to pay per year. Doesn’t your plan offer that? How terrible. Things will work out, they always do.
Jill,
Our insurance works on a co-pay kind of deal. We pay at the very least 20% of everything. And then there are the items that our insurance company won’t even touch.
Unfortunately, this insurance comes as part of my husband’s salary package. ;(
What is most important is Parker. Never mind those nasty phone call looking for money. It’s not like they can’t live without it. They can wait…patiently I would hope but, not likely. Keep your focus on your little man and keep strong.
Love & Prayers!!!
Oh my gosh, that is so rediculous!! Im so sorry that you are having to worry about insurance bs, when like you said, you’re main focus should be on Parker. Ugh. That is just too frustrating. Our insurance is crap, for sure. But yours is total crap. : (
I will be thinking of you guys. Hang in there.
~Laurie
I just don’t understand how this hospital can be charitable to those who aren’t citizens and not to you!!
The system obviously needs to change.
You just keep your focus on Parker.
The rest will work itself out…somehow.
Praying for you guys. Have a nice weekend.
God will always provide, Always!!
However, I would like to put some bad juju on the hospital for you….just a little
Tammy,
I happened upon your blog and my heart bleeds for Parker and your family and the medical bills you face. Sadly-I’m in the healthcare business. Based on your blog- it sounds that you have exhausted all your avenues with PCMC. My question-have you tried drafting a 1-2 page letter, with the basic facts: Parker’s medical diagnosis, the cost per day/per month, your income, what your insurance is & is not covering, so what that leaves out of pocket; and then sending it to each of the Intermoutain Health Board of Trustees. Within the letter- highlight 1-2 sentences- taken from Intermountain’s ‘Charity Care’ statement & how they are ‘there for the community’ . Sad- but I have seen on many occasions when you bombard the TOP corporate executives-there have been people who have had their problems finally addressed and alot of the frustration eliminated. You shouldn’t have to go this route-but it sounds like you need to go all the way to the System folks-since they are the ones that can make things happen. The only step that I have seen work-after this is the media blitz. No system likes the ‘bad publicity’ and they will do just about anything to stop it. It is clear- your family isn’t the only one having trouble with PCMC & their financial practices, so if one family is willing to make their story public (although that is hard)-that is also another option that has worked.
What on Earth are they expecting you to DO? Dig up some buried treasure in the backyard? Put off your son’s urgent, life-saving surgery until you have a couple hundred grand to throw at them? Some people are not made of money.
I don’t know what else to say except that I am appaled. Honestly, this sounds harsh to some people but have you ever thought of contacting a special needs attorney? Sometimes they can fight on your behalf to help you get that coverage – bring in the media – something so that you get that assistance that you need because of what the insurance does not cover. It is not fair that because you have insurance you do not qualify for the assistance that others cang et without insurance.
I would reccommend our hospital here who does nto turn anyone away, regardless of inability to pay, but it is too far and would cause too much disruption in your family – but if it is worth a shot, it is the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
I am hoping things work out and always remember that right now your number one priority is Parker, nobody else!
That phone call would have made me livid. What irritates me most about our children’s hospital is that they go around with this building this fabulous reputation based on the past, and appear to be non-profit. And they are VERY much for profit. I sent a snarky letter after their foundation sent me letters asking for donations twice in one week suggesting they cross reference their current patient list.
Anyway, I hope you can let go of that stress and focus on just Parker right now. It doesn’t seem right to be put in the position you’re in, on top of all of your medical worries.
Wow they are up on their dept. In CA they are like 2-3 months behind before we finally get the bill. Do you have a PPO? Can you switch to the HMO verson if you are on the PPO? I have found price wise HMO is better than PPO….ofcorse there are other cons to HMO vs PPO. Does UT have a medical or medicaide program? I’m sure you probably looked into it but just thought I’d suggest it.
The next surgery is colostomy closure right? Hoping all goes well.
That had to be so frustrating! I can’t believe that they just gave that money to someone else.
Our healthcare system is so broken in this country. The last thing you should be worrying about is the bills. Praying for you and I’m loving the teeny tiny designer hiney. hehe. xo.
I know about the hospital and medical inflation costs. I am so thankful that we have good insurance – my medical bills from the gallbladder surgery exceeded 60,000.00 and the insurance paid all but 1,000.00. However they didn’t pay 59,000.00 there is only so much that the insurance would allow the hospital to charge and that was about half of the original bill. Why is it that the insurance companies can get away with only allowing half and the general population cannot? I will never understand insurance or medical companies.
Praying for you and yours.
SO not fair. I’m with Pam ~ but what if we ALL sent letters to ALL of the trustees at the hospital?? What if we bombard them to death til they address your medical and financial issues?? I would be happy to send a letter a day
Seriously!!! Think about it.
Michelle,
Hold that thought. I may just take you up on it in the fight for Parker’s vent.
Tammy,
As a follow-up to my prior post, I have actually helped other other folks with issues like this, or with their insurance company in denying things, in drafting and sending the letters, or making calls. Also-bringing into play the actual cost-for the hospital to provide the care/and the mark-up they charge. (In fairness to the hospital- I also know the mark-up they are charged on supplies, etc. and the slowness and decreased amount that Medicaid, insurance pays them. The entire healthcare system needs to be ‘blownup’ and revamped and limits placed on the profit that pharmaceutical, medical suppliers, etc. can make, so that costs are brought back down and insurance is forced to cover more things. But you have my email- if there is anyway that I can help you -in drafting/sending letters to all the Intermountain Board of Trustees- please let me know.