Monday, 11 August 2008
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Possible good news
I am so thankful for my sister. Mom told her about the IUD issues, and she called me tonight. Apparently she'd been doing a bunch of research and she found a NC state-sponsored program that assists in family planning for any family that falls at 185% of the poverty line or below. for those of you not familiar, the poverty line starts at a base of $10,400 annual income for one person and increases by $3600 for each additional family member. For Newmommy, Newbaby, and I, the 100% level is 17,600/year, and the 185% is $32,560/year. We fall well within that guideline. their website says they may assist with our past bills for up to three months previously- kind of like medicaid. Hopefully that maybe gets turned in to a definitely. Sister also told me most states actually have family health programs for us poor folk that fall over medicaid maximums, but that they are extremely well-hidden, so I'll be searching for those. In the meantime, Newbaby is covered at least for the next year, and it looks like Nemommy's OB bills will be taken care of for the same period. That leaves me still completely uninsured, and Newmommy not very well covered, but it's a start, and certainly better than a sharp stick in the eye.
In other news, does anyone have advice on disputing medical bills? We received a bill in May for some bloodwork Newmommy had done back in October. This was outside of Medicaid's 90 day limit, so we've been trying to work with the lab and see what can be done- so far we've determined that they have no payment plan, no forgiveness plan, and apparently low levels of patience. Should we just refuse to pay due to improper billing practices, or is there another way to go about it? $2300 for a glucose test sounds like pricegouging to say the least.
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Comments (3)
That's good you are getting something worked out insurance wise.
Labs and blood work are expensive.
If you don't pay it it will go on your credit. That's not something you want. However, if you don't have the money to pay in full you don't have much choice. You can tell them straight up you will pay what you can each month and go from there. With no payment plan, they will probably report to you a collection agency anyway if they get a partial payment so you may not be working with the lab much longer. Collection agencies tend to be more accommodating thought it will still go on your credit.
@TornadoChaser - Credit scores are really the least of our concerns right now. Much higher on the list is a complete lack of $$ and the fact that it's the blood lab's responsibility to get us our bill within 90 days. October-May is a lot more than 90 days. Odds are, we'll end up settling something with them, but yes, if they insist on full price, it will end up going to collection.
Hmm...no payment plan? I would double check that. They will take their money any way they can get it usually. If they think you are going to let it go to collections they will usually gladly set up a payment plan. Also, I would DEFINATELY contact the facility where you have had all your healthcare provided (usually lab is separate, unfortunately...but possibly not). When I was a student and HAD health insurance....I had some very expensive things that had to be done. My out of pocket still come to over 6K with insurance!!! I contacted the facility, sent in some paperwork with my paystubs (I wasn't working much because of school), showed my rent, my bills etc and the ENTIRE bill was forgiven the facility. I got very lucky. Usually they just reduce it. However, there are definately ways to buy time or get your bills lowered if you are persistant...and DO NOT let it go to colletions. It is very difficult and along an entirely different pay path at that point.