Omigosh!!!!

[Katie H]

I just opened today's mail and I'm in shock. The bill from the plane company that transported Buck from the first hospital to the one in Nashville was in the stack of mail.

Over $13,000.... My heart's racing and I'm about to fall off my chair. The mileage alone was over $7,000!

[JillBurgh]

Holy shimolee! What do you do? Is this something YOU have to pay yourself? Isn' this an insurance matter? Oh MY gosh

[kitchenelf]

I certainly hope insurance takes care of a huge hunk of this Katie. Has it been turned into them yet?

[Katie H]

I hope the insurance company can take care of some or all of it because I'm up to my all American butt in thousands of dollars of doctor's bills and haven't seen bill #1 from either hospital. The whole thing is so overwhelming and it makes me feel so beaten down.

[pacanis]

Not to be the bearer of bad news, but I don't think insurance picks up ambulatory rides. Around here we get fliers in the mail to sign up for Emergicare's insurance in case we need to use them. I had an ambulance ride back in '89, when I had fantastic insurance through the union, and it wasn't covered. I also just had a customer tell me yesterday that her husband broke his femur on their trip in Carolina somewhere. It cost them $4000 for the ambulance ride back to Erie to operate. Not covered.

I know that when insurance is exhausted, that you can ask the gov't for assistance. You might want to get the ball rolling on that, Katie. Your health insurance agent will know how.

[sattie]

Originally Posted by Katie E

I hope the insurance company can take care of some or all of it because I'm up to my all American butt in thousands of dollars of doctor's bills and haven't seen bill #1 from either hospital. The whole thing is so overwhelming and it makes me feel so beaten down.

Katie... out of all the bills you have to pay, I would make hospital/doctors bills low priority. Even if you pay $5 a month on them, there is little action they can take. As long as you are paying something. Try not to let it get to you... you have lots of help and support out here!

[babetoo]

i am so sorry you are faced with all this. when you are grieving ,

you will find out what you need to know. hopefully the insurance will pay part. i think mine has a $100 deductible.

just remember they can't get blood out of a turnip. best of luck on this.

babe

[Dave Hutchins]

Kate-E If?? you are on social security. All of your bills can whistle dixie till you are in a position to pay. Only the federal Gov. can touch your SS. I know this for a fact as I am also up to my yanke back sides in debt. The Gov. nickes me every month for my vetrans drug bill. Stay strong prayers and strong vibes coming your eay

[Katie H]

No, Dave, I'm not on SS. It'll be a number of years before I'm eligible, so I'll have to find other ways to keep the wolf away from the door.

[jabbur]

Medical transport payments from insurance will sometimes depend on why transport was needed. Most health care plans will cover emergency transport but not other kinds. For instance, transport from accident scene to hospital-covered. Transport from hopsital to long-term care facility or rehab-not covered. Transport between hospitals may depend on the health status of the patient. The bill should have some sort of statement on it whether insurance is pending. If it doesn't, then contact your insurace rep and inquire. Some companies will send you an itemized bill even though they expect insurance to cover most or all of the cost. These companies are usually also set up to accept payment plans. They realize that most people don't have access to that kind of lump sum payment. So if you find out that none of it is covered then contact the company to see what kind of arrangements you can make with them. Good luck. I know it is hard to think about and deal with all this when you are missing Buck so much.