I need to keep on top of the numbers better.
I spent some time today catching up. A friend and former teacher from court reporting school offered to do a Facebook fundraiser for me. I said yes. I had originally wanted to say no. I pride myself on being self-sufficient and taking care of my own stuff. Accepting help is tough for me.
But I realized that I had told everyone reading here to accept help, so I did. I accepted the help. And I am so thankful and completely overwhelmed. My out of pocket costs for doctor bill, not including my premiums, for this “adventure” have been $4434.13 so far. Yes, I am approaching my deductible, kind of – $2400 to go – but I was trying to figure out how to cover this, especially with the work I’ve lost so far and will lose.
In swooped 121 friends, family, strangers. They raised $6847 for me. Even after fees, it’s $6630 that I will use entirely toward deductibles and copays. To say I’m overwhelmed is an understatement. I’ve said that I’m overwhelmed 40 times by now I’m sure, and I absolutely mean it. I did not expect this. My fundraising angel did not expect this. We are happy about it, of course, and I am breathing a little bit easier than I was a short time ago.
Soon I hope to embed a spreadsheet I’m keeping relating to numbers. It includes dates, mileage, how long we spent in the car, and how long we spent in the offices. Then come the big numbers. Out of pocket cost the day of – copays, out of pocket cost after insurance, how much was billed to insurance, how much a discount the insurance company got, how much of a discount I got. Hey! I got one!! How much insurance covered and a description of what the visit or test was. There’s also how much was denied by insurance and some notes. To give you an idea, I’d like to share some of the current numbers. I shared my out of pocket + copays above. Total billed by insurance? $45,809.75. Total paid by insurance? $7121.82. How does that even make sense?
To give you an idea, I’d like to share some of the current numbers. I shared my out of pocket + copays above. Total billed by insurance? $45,809.75. Total paid by insurance? $7121.82. How does that even make sense?
Anyway, I have a way to go before I can celebrate my insurance being more than my deductible and our premiums combined. And since I’m doing a clinical trial – paid for by the company running the trial, I got a free EKG today, yesss… – if I am eligible and it works? I may pay out more than they’ll pay for my care. Because discounts.
Fun stuff.