Desparately Seeking Prayers....

Maddie&EthansMom wrote: As many of you know, this pregnancy has been an emotional roller coaster for me. I do know that I have so much to be thankful for in that things have really gone well. I have been so worried about the insurance this entire time and decided that it would all work out in time. Well, there still isn't any insurance (after going back and forth with that for months) and I figured we could get the hospital paid after he was born as long as we just paid the doctor. I talked to the hospital today and if we don't pay them $3800 before we leave the hospital with him, the bill afterwards could be up to $15,000. There is no way we can lock in that price or even extend it for one month. We have the $2500 to pay the doctor. I'm thinking he will let us pay it after the baby is born at that fixed price and we could give that money to the hospital instead and pay the doctor the next month. I'm not sure the bank will loan us the money. We already have a loan out (for DH's car) and there is no one to ask for the money. I never imagined myself in such a desparate situation where I feel there is no way out. There was absolutely no possible way to pay them anything in the previous months. We just didn't have it. DH and I refuse to use credit cards and I don't even think we could get one if we tried with that kind of limit on it. I sent DH an e-mail. I just don't have the heart to tell him over the phone. I'm so upset at this point I don't even know if I could talk. I know it will work out. It has to. No matter what happens I will never look back. This baby is such a blessing to me and I love him so much. I'm so grateful that he has been so healthy. What more can you ask for?

I guess just keep us in your prayers that hopefully the loan will go through or something miraculous will happen.

booey2 replied: Hugs and prays go out to you. There is always a way for things to work themselves out. Have faith. I don't know what else to say except try and stay strong.

jen replied: Aimee, hang in there. Things will work out. The important thing is to stay calm and try not to let it stress you. Your family and Ethan are more important than any bill. There are so many people out there without insurance and this heathcare system we have is a JOKE! Things will work out. Stay strong in knowing that you have your health and Ethan has his Everything will come through. You and your family are in my prayers, but I know with your faith you will be fine.

kit_kats_mom replied: I don't know if you are able to join a credit union but they are generally more free with their loans since they aren't bound by the lending laws that banks are. For example, the credit union that I used to work for, regularly loaned money to a few members who had HORRIBLE credit and no real way to pay the money back. They would come in with stories about needing money to pay their electic bills or grocery money and we would just add a few hundred dollars on to their existing loans every month....even when the loan was past due. As a collector that bothered me a lot. Anyway, 3000.00 is not a large loan at all. I would check with my local credit union if I were you.

Maddie&EthansMom replied:

We are members of a credit union. We have been for years and DH has lots of friends who work there (one being our loan officer). We asked for a loan back around Christmas b/c of DH's job situation and some unexpected bills that arose. For some reason it was denied. We found a way to make it, though, but are still trying to catch up. It has been hard, but we have always made our payments on time and we make our loan payments every month. I don't know why it was denied. That is why I am afraid she won't loan us the money. Maybe with the paperwork from the hospital she will.

It just floors me. DH and I are honest people and have always paid our bills on time. I never imagined this. We never ask any one for anything so this is very hard for us. It is really humbling I guess. How do you explain to people that you are going through a rough time and that life has thrown you hardballs when they hear these stories all the time? How will any one ever give us a break and why would I expect them to when people screw the system so much and ruin it for the truly honest, hardworking people? It just stinks.

MommyToAshley replied: I know what it is like to not have insurance and I know what you are going through! We knew from the beginning that we would be self pay, to buy maternity insurance yourself (not through an employer) is a joke and you don't save any money.

I thought (and was hoping) that your DH's insurance was going to pick up the bill. I am sorry that turned out not to be the case. We had the same option, to pay for a 24 hour stay in advance, which was a lot cheaper than a payment plan which would include the full bill. We had to pay before we left the hospital, same as you. We knew this from the beginning and were able to plan accordingly.

I think if I were in your shoes, I would try to take out a low interest loan (I know you don't like that option) and pay the hospital bill before you leave. Or, even a credit card if you can't get the loan. I know you don't want another credit card, but if you can find a way to pay more than the minimum balance each month, then would be better than having a $15,000 bill! I also think that your doctor would have more flexibility than the bureaucracy at the hospital. I would ask your Doc if he can give you a discount. Ours gave us a little over 20% discount. If you have any labs, U/S, or anything else, be sure to call them and tell them that you are self-pay and they will most likely give you a discount as well.

Oh, one other thing that I found out that I thought I should mention. If you are currently covered under your DH's medical insurance, then the insurance will cover the cost if you have any kind of emergency, including an unplanned c-section. You might want to verify this, but this was discussed when we were looking into buying insurance (regular medical insurance, not maternity). I was 6 months PG at the time so I know it does not matter is your PG is a pre-existing condition.

I am sorry you are having to deal with this! I know it is so hard not to worry about money with a little one on the way, but please try to relax and not stress over it. It will work out! I am sending lots of hugs and prayers!

MommyToAshley replied: I was writing the novel above at the same time Kit kat's mom was replying. I didn't know that you had been turned down for a loan.... sorry. Maybe you can look into why you were turned down, there may be a mistake on your credit report that you need to get fixed. It happens more often then you think.

(((HGUS)))

Maddie&EthansMom replied:

The labs are included and all care on me and Ethan for a 24 hour stay. I would have to pay the anesthesiologist, though. (if I have an epidural) It is such a good deal and too good to pass up, really.

My doctor is out today so I will call his office on Monday and explain our dilemma. I'm pretty sure he would let us pay it out after the baby is here. My thinking is: why should he? How does he know we will pay it and not screw him out of the money? There is no way to control what happens in life and the fact is that DH and I were so careful with our money. We were careful that he had a job and had insurance for this very reason. I never knew it could all change in a hearbeat. How do you explain that to these people who just want their money? I'm sure to them I'm just like everyone else off the street, but in my heart I know I'm not. I'm honest and I pay my bills. I'm just so overwhelmed and frustrated. I am humiliated that I cried on the phone to that lady at the hospital. She was so nice, but there is nothing she can do.

I know it will be okay and I know it will work out. I'm just so sad that there is nothing to do at this point. At least not until we talk to the bank. I still haven't heard from DH. He was in a meeting all morning.

MomToMany replied: I'm so sorry you are going through this! Sorry I don't have more advice for you, other than finding out why you were turned down for the loan. We just had to get a loan, and I'm still on X-H mortgage after 3 years! He was supposed to have taken care of that, but obviously he hasn't!

Lots of {{{{HUGS}}}} and postive thoughts coming your way!!! It will all work out!!

jcc64 replied: I'm so very sorry you have to deal with this. It's so sad that in this land of plenty, women have to worry about how to pay for the birth of their children. I don't know what state you live in, but here in NY state, uninsured pregnant women are eligible for a state funded maternity program,(regardless of income, I believe) as are their infants through the 1st year of life. Maybe something like this is available in your area? Best of luck.

victoire2002 replied: I am sorry you have to deal with this. It's enough to be pregnant, without the worries of insurance on top of the hormones.

Have you considered a birthing center or midwife? I don't know from experience, but I am thinking someone in their own practice might be more lenient in regards to insurance and billing. I actually know someone here in Dallas that used a womens' clinic for the birth of their daughter, and they had a decent experience.

I am sure it will get straightened out before baby comes.... keeping you in my prayers for this.

amynicole21 replied: This may be a silly question, but could you refinance your home? We just closed on our re-fi today, and paid no money out of pocket. Everything was rolled back into the mortgage. You can borrow against your mortgage, and as long as the house still appraises for that amount the bank should approve it. I know that "technically" it is still a loan, but it's really just adding a bit to your mortgage. You might even end up paying less with a bigger loan just because interest rates are so low killing 2 birds with one stone. Our mortgage went down $100/month.

jcc64 replied: Another thing, Aimee. A lot of uninsured people negotiate a significantly lower out of pocket expense with drs and hospitals. It's well known that the cost of medical procedures and particularly hospitalizations are vastly inflated to cover the many bills that do go unpaid. (hence the $10 per tylenol that often shows up on hospital bills) If they know you are willing and able to pay something up front, they are very likely to lower your bill. It sounds like your dh has the expertise to do this. It's worth a shot.

coasterqueen replied: P&PT's coming your way I'm sure everything will work out in the end

A&A'smommy replied: awww Amiee im sorry this has happened!!! ((((BIG HUGS))) just remember that you need to relax and not worry to much!!!! It will be alright!!!! ((((HUGS))))

CantWait replied: Sending you my blessings here that everything works out for the best. Hugs to you