It’s About Time That I Received My Doctor Bill from March

I guess I should rephrase that title. I haven’t actually received my doctor bill, but I have received my benefits statement from my health insurance provider. It took almost 4 months to finally know how much I am going to have to pay for my doctor’s visit in March…$163.00. My health insurance doesn’t cover doctor visits, so I have to pay for all of that out of my own pocket.

I can’t complain about that fee, though. This visit was the one for my miscarriage and the doctor did spend a great deal of time with me. He spent at least and hour talking to me and suggesting things to do if I we were to plan on trying to have another child later. That time doesn’t even include the time he took to examine me. For once, I feel like I got what I paid for when it comes to medical care. I was thoroughly examined and counseled.

Now that I know what to expect, I can budget this bill in and pay it. The financial side of my miscarriage will be taken care of.

Emotionally, though, I needed some sense of closure to that day in March. Every time I thought about our finances I’d think about those bills and I’d think about that day. I am naturally a worry-wart and having a bill that I know is coming, yet I don’t know the amount, causes me a great deal of stress. Combine that with what the bill was for, and well, all I can say is I looking forward to paying it and moving on.

I know there have been some of you commenting about negotiating my medical bills and trying to get them to accept a lower rate. Part of me wanted to, and I had most of the money to pay the biggest bill (the hospital portion) for some time, but I was trying to get up the courage to negotiate with them. Just last week I finally sent the check out. I never did discuss it with them. I really wanted to see if I could save some money, but I didn’t want to even go in the building to talk to the billing department.

This is definitely an example of how your emotions can affect your finances.

Posted by Tricia on July 17, 2007 at 11:07 PM in Spending Money | 8 Comments »
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bella responded:
Posted: July 17th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
I certainly agree in this case that $163 seems like a bargain. I’ve never seen a bill that cheap where I live!
paidtwice responded:
Posted: July 17th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
many hugs to you and yours. i’m glad there is some closure on its way for you. hugs.
Cee Elle responded:
Posted: July 17th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
I totally understand the emotion/finance connection. I am sorry about your miscarriage, I know personally how it does take time to heal. And I wanted to add my own emotional/bad financial decision story…my landlord makes me feel like shit, is rude and condescending. I ended up paying $500 to get a new garbage disposal just so I don’t have to see him, talk to him, or deal with him. And I won’t see a return on that $500 investment, as I’ll move out of where I’m living in a few years. Oh well…
Lynnae responded:
Posted: July 18th, 2007 at 1:53 am
I started following your blog not long ago. I’m sorry to hear about your miscarriage. I know from experience how hard that is, and the financial aspect only makes it worse.
D responded:
Posted: July 18th, 2007 at 7:32 am
A calendar tells me how long it has been since I had a similar loss. Walking past my last house, I see the tree I planted and feel a tiny tug at my heart. As I read your words, I also remember that I didn’t do “anything” about my bill. I paid it with a credit card, so I wouldn’t have to look at it. It worked for me.

Hang on! It never goes away, but it does get easier.
debbie responded:
Posted: July 18th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
I am really glad this looming bill is behind you. I completely understand about not wanting to deal with it. I can be more than persistent in fighting billing errors, but if it concerns something that is going to affect me in a negative way, for too long a time, I just pay it and move on. My mental well being is worth much more.
Jen responded:
Posted: July 19th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
{{{Tricia}}}

I don’t blame you one bit for not negotiating the bill. And I can understand why you are looking forward to paying that bill. I hope once you do, things get easier.
Big Spender and A Deadbeat » Blogging Away Debt responded:
Posted: October 20th, 2007 at 9:53 am
[...] according to a collection agency. If you remember, I had problems actually getting a bill for my miscarriage. If they pulled what was pulled on Nickel…I would have been livid. Luckily, I paid my bill [...]