I know that sounds strange coming from a believer like me, but it's true. I know it's biblical and "factually" true, but I could never really accept it, or wrap my brain around that part of my walk with Jesus. Well, today that all changes.
As you all know I went to a specialty surgeon out in Bend, Oregon for the surgery of my life. The doctor I saw out there was not in my network, but he is the best in the field for what I needed, and he was one of the only doctors that could help me, and I believe he did (aside from some normal post op complications).
My husband quit his job of 4 years, and was going to be on COBRA (BCBS of California), for about a month, and it happened (inconveniently) during the ONE month my surgery was, go figure. I just don't like being in limbo, you never know what it will entail.
Our new insurance for his new job was to start Jan 1, 2008. My surgery was December 20th, so I had a hospital stay in Bend from Dec 19th-21st. That bill was over 10,000 dollars. When I spoke with the insurance company a couple of months ago, they were JUST seeing the bill come through, and when I asked how much they'd cover, she said that because Dr.Redwine is not in network, they would probably pay close to nothing! Now obviously I am use to medical bills, I have probably racked up hundreds of thousands of them over 11 years. In those 11 years, I usually have to pay a portion, around 20%.
The woman on the phone proceeded to tell me that I should prepare for a fight. To get information from Dr.Redwine as to why I had to go to him and why another doctor in network couldn't treat me. She said that I would need lots of documentation, possibly medical records etc...
After talking to Redwine's office, they said lots of women have had to "fight" to get their hospital bill paid, but that they would provide me with articles and such that have helped other women in the past get at least a portion of the bill paid.
All I could think was, "Good thing I don't work right now, this is going to be so time consuming, and a lot of piddly work, and so hard----." I just kept thinking, "I hope I get someone with a kind heart and compassion to work with at the insurance company, otherwise, I'm screwed!"
Well, little by little my ambition and will is coming back, and although I've been dreading the phone call to see if BCBS has acknowledged the bill and what I need to do to get it paid, I made the phone call today---20 minutes ago.
I dreadingly I told the woman on the phone that I was looking for a medical bill that I called a couple months ago on that they hadn't gotten to yet, and that it was now that I needed to call and find out the status on it. I gave her the dates, location and approximate cost---she said "Hmm, yes I see it here, for ten thousand five hundred eighty three dollars and 76 cents?"
I said painfully "Yep, I'd like to know where you're at with paying any of that and what I need to do to start the battle to get you guys to pay it."
She said, and I quote, "THAT AMOUNT HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL, NO MEMBER RESPONSIBILITY." (very matter of fact)---
I said, and I quote---"WHAT????"
She repeated, "THAT BILL HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL, NO MEMBER RESPONSIBILITY, IT WAS PAID ON MARCH 22ND, 2008!"
Tears instantly filled my eyes, and I said, "HOW CAN THAT BE, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE A FIGHT AND THAT IT WOULDN'T BE EASY TO GET EVEN A PORTION OF IT PAID BECAUSE THE GUY WAS OUT OF NETWORK, HOW CAN THIS BE??"
I said, "I don't even owe a portion? None of my surgeries have ever been covered 100%!"
She said, "It's paid mam, in full."
I asked her if she was sure and then I said, "WHO DO I THANK?"
She said, "Well, no, we thank YOU for choosing, Anthem Blue Cross!"
I told her she had no idea of what a blessing this was, and that I thank them SO SO much, and that I must have an Angel, because this just doesn't happen! I told her this as I was crying, and she sort of laughed kindly and we said goodbye.
God showed me today that I have a personal Angel, and I love it!!! God is really just too good!
