Cancelling surgery

[annie oakley]

A man from the financial area of the hospital called and told me that My insurance won't pay enough and that I could take a loan out at 18 percent for the 44,000 dollars. We cannot do that. We are already strapped in here paying the for this land and all the bills we have now. We cannot mortgage this land when it's not paid for completly yet. We can't pay the payments they would want. So I will apply for disability and pray that happens.... It's just one of those things. Tomorrow I will call the doctor and tell him. Mike and I talked it over....he's willing to get another loan that we can't pay but I decided that I can't do that. 44,000 @ 18 percent. I don't think so. Keep fingers crossed that disability happens. Love Oma

[Mars]

Awe Oma, what a mess! I think that's "kneeway robbery!"

If all else fails - shoot the finance office!



Is the 18% the loan offered by the hospital? That's awfully steep!

Thinking of you..........

Mars

[tex]

It sounds like they've padded the cost of the operation, in the first place, and then added insult to injury, by adding loan shark finance terms. No wonder those guys wear masks--they're crooks.

18% is a totally unnacptable rate of interest. No one could afford that. They obviously have more business than they need, and don't give a hoot about their patients' welfare.

Love,
Wayne

[TXBrenda]

Oma,

I agree with Wayne, that % rate is too high. This may be from a third party. This way the hospital gets their money upfront and you are stuck with the bill and the interest rate to boot.

You and Mike may make too much money to qualify for TX Rehabilitation. My massage therapist had her rotator cuff repaired this summer. It took her about four months to qualify. She had an injury (accident - literally fell of a log!) several years ago. The pain finally got too bad for her to do massages and her other jobs. She is self employed and raising three teenage boys. The doctor that did her surgery did knee surgery on one son and treated another one for a broken collar bone. He was on the TX Rehab list and agreed to do the surgery.

Take care,
Brenda

[JJ]

Oh Oma...I am sooo sorry.....what a pain....hope all turns out well....take care.....JJ

[barbaranoela]

this is such a sad issue--

and I agree, these hospital---doctors pad their bills to such an Xent that it makes U wanna cry--

And that interest rate is ridiculous---I am stunned to hear how they *prey* on people that need such assistance

Lous first *pounding* was a bill of 11,000 bucks---Medicare allowed 4000.00 and I have no idea what our secondary will take over--believe this!!! Medicare will write---this surgery doesnt warrant said a price for your AREA!!!! Perhaps if we lived with the Mighty-mucks---they would ok such a bill!!!!

God knows what the other will amount to---thank fully we have good coverage but I think it is appauling of the charges that are inflicted on people!!!

Dear Oma---I am so sorry it has come to this---but there might be a light @ the end of the tunnel and things will change!!!

Good energies being sent your way---
I know things will work out for U and Mike!!!

Keep strong--
luve my dear lady--and to give U some comfort--
Barbara

[MaggieRedwings]

Morning Oma,

I am so sorry to hear about having to cancel surgery. The whole insurance thing in the U.S. is becoming abominable and it is time people rose up and crushed it. The price for the surgery is outrageous and the interest rate on the loan is even more outrageous. When will all of this high-cost medical stuff stop. People do not want socialized medicine and in some cases I can understand why, but at least when it it exists you are not raped paying medical costs.

I do hope that the disability will come through and in the meantime, I hope that a more humane solution is found for the pain you are in.

Love, Maggie

[kate_ce1995]

This is infuriorating!!!!!!

I hope that when you tell your doc why you are cancelling, he will have an alternative solution for you, such as subsidized surgery. Heck, Geoff's ex and her new husband are on medicaid and they have both had knee surgeries (not replacement, but still) and they sure as heck can't afford it. It is really wrong that the poor (or not working despite being able) get coverage but those making just a little too much because they struggle to make ends meet by having jobs and being good citizens can't afford basic care.

Oma, I wish I could do something for you.
Katy

[tex]

Hi Oma,

I would suggest that you make them an offer. Before you do , though, you need to do some planning, and try to get help from someone who is experienced with negotiating with hospitals about these matters.

Right off the bat, they can probably knock about $10,000 off their price. You need to find out what this operation normally costs in Texas.

The interest rate is the most important thing, in the long run, if you need an extended payout. For example, a 20 year loan at 8% interest would result in monthly payments of $368, while the same loan at 6% interest, would require only $315 per month. At 18% interest, the monthly payment would be $679, more than twice as much. That's totally ridiculous. They will tell you that they can't accept a low interest rate, and long-term payout, but they can, they just would rather not.

Here are some guidelines:

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Ins ... P35612.asp

The other possibility is the"Free Clinic" program that many counties have for people without insurance. I don't know if any of these programs cover such surgery, or not, but it is worth investigating, because if you qualify, and are accepted, it will cost you nothing. I do know that many of these programs do cover expensive treatments, such as cancer, for example. Your doctor, (your regular GP), should know if there is a program that might be availahle to you. You will have to be able to prove that you are unable to pay for the services, but that's pretty easy to do, whan you actually can't afford them.

Love,
Wayne

[Polly]

Oma,

I agree with everyone above. It infuriates and saddens me when someone cannot get much-needed health care. Have you called your local/state health dept.? They may know of surgeons who donate their time or clinics where you can pay based upon your ability to pay. We have a free clinic in Baltimore that has been operating for 40 years, and I read in the paper last week that it is experiencing a huge influx of patients. No wonder.

I hope you can manage the pain OK until you can arrange for the care you need.

Love and a

Polly

[Tessa]

Hi, Oma


I am very sad about the cancellation of your operation and hope you can manage with the pain until you can solve it.

That % sounds too high!!! That´s not fair.

I really hope someone can give you a light to find a way and solve it for your best well being.
Take care, Oma and please, keep us informed.

Love,
Tessa

[hazel]

Here's some information about the cost of the knee replacement surgery I had in OHio. Don't know how that relates to Texas, but just for your info. The hospital charge was $34,000. The deal they have with my insurer knocked $25,000 off of that. My insurer paid the hospital $9000. If I hadn't had that insurance I guess I would have been owing the $34,000? As it was I had only a $100 co-pay.

I wonder if you can find out some details from your insurer and the hospital. The deal he was offering you was ridiculous!

I'm sorry you are going to suffer with the bad knee longer but I am sure something can be worked out. There must be some sort of patient advocacy group in Texas. Maybe what Brenda mentioned. Don't give up!