Our son had a malformed jaw. It was very small compared to the upper jaw. He had a huge overbite, large enough for me to stick two fingers between his lower and upper jaw. It was causing tremendous pressure on the "hinge" part of the jaw, causing severe headaches. This was an ongoing problem from a very young age (3 years or even younger). As he grew, the lower jaw did not. We brought him into the doctor, who sent us to an oral surgeon. He knew immediately our son needed surgery, but the insurance company said we had to try braces first.
We went the braces route. After years in braces, our orthodontist said he had done all he could. Which was a remarkable improvement from when our son walked into the building. But I could still put one finger with room to spare between the upper and lower jaw. There was a substantial gap and the headaches were horrible. We were told to find an oral surgeon.
After making sure this is covered by our insurance, I did that. We went to U of M hospital in Ann Arbor. A wonderful hospital, wonderful doctors and terrific nursing staff. I truly cannot say enough great things about them. It was the Motts Childrens Hospital part of the complex. I highly recommend them for any medical needs your kids may have. Absolutely the best.
So a year goes by, our son is doing great and life is good. His headaches are gone and he cannot believe how much better he feels. His braces have finally come off and he looks good too. An added bonus.
Monday I get the mail. My husband opens it when he gets home from work. Inside is a bill from U of M hospital for my son's doctors costs. Our insurance has deemed this a medically unnecessary surgery and the bill is ours to pay.
$15,411.00
Yes. That is fifteen thousand four hundred and eleven dollars.
Due the 24th of April.
Pardon my french but:
Where the f*** am I supposed to get fifteen thousand dollars?!?
I have been shaking like a leaf and haven't slept a wink since he opened that letter. I spoke with the hospital, and they have graciously allowed us to make payments of 644.00 a month for the next 24 months to pay it off. Which we cannot pay either. Every time I try to phone the insurance company, I start to cry and have actually vomited. I will contact them, but I can't do it right now.
How can they do this to us? After a year? With no warning? No hint they would not pay this? No letter suggesting they were considering not paying it, nothing at all. This is absolute bullshit.
Every time there's light at the end of the tunnel it's always a damn train.
We went the braces route. After years in braces, our orthodontist said he had done all he could. Which was a remarkable improvement from when our son walked into the building. But I could still put one finger with room to spare between the upper and lower jaw. There was a substantial gap and the headaches were horrible. We were told to find an oral surgeon.
After making sure this is covered by our insurance, I did that. We went to U of M hospital in Ann Arbor. A wonderful hospital, wonderful doctors and terrific nursing staff. I truly cannot say enough great things about them. It was the Motts Childrens Hospital part of the complex. I highly recommend them for any medical needs your kids may have. Absolutely the best.
So a year goes by, our son is doing great and life is good. His headaches are gone and he cannot believe how much better he feels. His braces have finally come off and he looks good too. An added bonus.
Monday I get the mail. My husband opens it when he gets home from work. Inside is a bill from U of M hospital for my son's doctors costs. Our insurance has deemed this a medically unnecessary surgery and the bill is ours to pay.
$15,411.00
Yes. That is fifteen thousand four hundred and eleven dollars.
Due the 24th of April.
Pardon my french but:
Where the f*** am I supposed to get fifteen thousand dollars?!?
I have been shaking like a leaf and haven't slept a wink since he opened that letter. I spoke with the hospital, and they have graciously allowed us to make payments of 644.00 a month for the next 24 months to pay it off. Which we cannot pay either. Every time I try to phone the insurance company, I start to cry and have actually vomited. I will contact them, but I can't do it right now.
How can they do this to us? After a year? With no warning? No hint they would not pay this? No letter suggesting they were considering not paying it, nothing at all. This is absolute bullshit.
Every time there's light at the end of the tunnel it's always a damn train.