need help paying a dialysis bill

[sullidog]

I got two huge dialysis bills, one for 3 grand and one for 7. This is after insurance did their part. I contacted my social worker to see what we could do about this since as you all know that is a hard one one to pay off, heck even if I made a payment arangement I'd be dead before that all got paid off. She contacted insurance management about this and they told her per policy to tell me to contact the billing office. Billing is closed now but I doubt the billing office will  do anything about this since it is billing and they want their money. There's not even a financial assistants thing on the bill nor does it say that you can make payment arangements. I'm concerned about this because I need help paying this back if that's what I have to do. Is there any organizations or grants that I can apply for to help me?

[okarol]

I cannot recall what your insurance status is but I'll give you some info that may help. Are you on Medicare? If not here is info on how to get it http://www.medicareinteractive.org/page2.php?topic=counselor&page=script&slide_id=324. This will become secondary to your private coverage for the first 30 months (and a 4 month waiting period) but apply right away if you haven't already.
What private insurance do you have? Are they paying any of the charges? Is your dialysis provider in-network for your insurance (if required?)
Most dialysis clinic deal with this issue all the time. They know they're going to get paid because ESRD is covered by Medicare, but it doesn't happen quickly. If it were me, I would not agree to any sort of payment arrangement until the insurance and Medicare issues are sorted out.

[sullidog]

They billed my primary wich usually pays 100 percent but did not bill medicare which I have. I agree with you I think I will contact them to see what's going on and getting it sorted out.

[Stacy Without An E]

If you have Medicare and private insurance, you shouldn't be receiving bills like these.  My work insurance was my primary for the first 39 months of treatment, and Medicare was secondary.  After the time expired, they swapped.

I did have trouble with the Medicare co-pays when the switch happened, but our social worker set me up with help from the American Kidney Fund, a non-profit organization that is funded purely by donations.

www.kidneyfund.org

Here's hoping the insurance Gods smile on you soon.

[Rerun]

You should pay nothing.  Tell them you will quit dialysis!  That usually makes them move!  They don't want to lose someone who has private insurance.

[Des]

I have just found one good thing about my dialysis unit.
My medical aid pay for a certain amount R1469.78 per session and the hospital charges R1870.00.
I spoke to the hospital and they write the diff off every treatment and charge me the reduced rate of R1469.78.

THIS IS FAB!

 maybe you can talk to your unit???   

[sullidog]

Well,
They keep transfering me to this re embersment lady in the billing dept and she doesn't return my calls, nice very nice.

[okarol]

Make a copy of the bill, write on it that there's been a mistake, you've called numerous times to no avail, and this needs to be resolved immediately. Send it certified mail, return receipt requested. They should respond. 

[natnnnat]

I was going to say the same thing, write them a brief letter and that means they then have to find someone to double check everything and write back, which slows everything down... and meanwhile you have responded so are being resposible and not just ignoring the due date.

Write something like,
Dear Sir / Madam
re (bill nr / invoice nr / the attached invoice)
I note the due date for the above bill, but am confused about the amount. Would you be able to confirm why I am being charged this figure?  I have phoned your department (include dates if you have them) but have not received a call back.  I receive medicare and private insurance.  Can you confirm that I am supposed to pay anything for this service, and if so, can you provide information regarding the proper itemisation of this account?
Yours sincerely
Sullidog.

If you aren't already, then keep notes with dates you called, names of people you spoke to, copies of all correspondence. 
 
If they confirm you have to pay something, then you can send a separate letter asking other things like for a second opinion, and for a twenty year payment plan.

[carson]

now, having read all this, wouldn't you rather just pay a little higher tax so you don't have to worry about coming up with money to pay for your life-saving treatment?

[okarol]

It's not a little higher - it's double!
 

[pdpatty]

I really don't have an answer . Are you still employed? Is this insurance through  an employeer? If so,is this the amount of your deductable? If it is,wow,you are stuck for it.

My son has insurance thru his work and the deductale is so high he really can't afford to get sick.

This sounds like this amount is your co-pay. That really sucks.