by Beks
We were excited to switch to a Health Savings account for 2020. It was a great gamble! We didn’t have a single incident last year. Of course, it made sense that we roll the dice again this year. It crossed my mind to switch to an HMO in light of the pandemic but several of my close family members got and recovered from COVID, no hospital visit required. My brother and sister both lost their sense of taste and smell but otherwise didn’t show any symptoms. Perhaps my genetics, my healthy diet, and my exercise regimen would save me from a hospital visit?
So far, I’ve been safe from COVID (knock on wood). I was so focused on avoiding hospital bills related to the pandemic that I didn’t think of other emergencies. *sigh* Like the one this week. My husband was in Arizona and I was home alone with the two smallest kids. I was exercising in the living room and heard the dreaded sound of a thump on the hardwood floor followed by a loud scream of a kid really, really hurt. Turns out, my youngest was running across the floor wearing his socks and slipped.
Why does this stuff only happen when I’m by myself?!?!
I texted a quick photo of the injury to my brother, a paramedic, and asked if he thought stitches were required. Instantly he responded ‘YES!!’ He recommended going ‘Urgent Care’ since our local children’s hospital can take hours to be seen and it was already getting late into the night. The doctor at Urgent Care told me I needed to go to the children’s hospital since he didn’t have the proper anesthetic for children. *bigger sigh*
Fortunately, my son is a rock star and he did great while they stitched up his face. He’s going to be OK. Chicks dig scars right?!? Unfortunately, I’m going to get not one but TWO hospital bills. One from Urgent Care and one from the children’s hospital. We have more in our HSA account than the annual maximum so I’m not worried about going into debt for it but it’s going to take a nice chunk out of what we built so far which is disappointing. It’s a rough lesson to learn. Next time, I’m going straight to the children’s hospital!! More than anything, I’m just glad he’s OK. Also, no more socks in the house. ; )
Beks is a full-time government employee who enjoys blogging late into the night after her four kids have gone to sleep. She’s been married to Chris, her college sweetheart, for 15 years. In 2017, after 3 long years working the Dave Ramsey Baby Steps, they paid off more than $70K and became debt free. When she’s not working or blogging, she’s exploring the great outdoors.
Oh my. Glad he’s OK! And glad you had the money already in your HSA!
I made similar switch two years ago, hedging my bets. I gambled and lost. Had spinal fusion surgery a year ago and it not only wiped out what I had in there, I’m going to be at least another year “reimbursing” myself through the maximum contributions.
My sister slipped on her hardwood floor in late December. She broke her humerus which is the bone from the elbow to the shoulder. She refused surgery and it is slowly healing with wearing a sling. She’s had several tests snd X-rays snd will be starting PT soon. Fortunately she has great health insurance- I’m sure she would be paying thousands of dollars otherwise. No one plans for an accident.
So glad everyone is ok!
Can you argue with the bill from the Urgent Care? Especially since they just sent you on to the ER….if they are affiliated, maybe there is a reduced rate? Good luck!
First, thank goodness he is ok. A visit to the ER with my insurance is $800.00 just to be seen. No blood work, x-rays, ultrasound, or CT scan I don’t understand why people take a chance with health care. It’s like the first time I was diagnosed with breast cancer and told the doctor it doesn’t run in my family. Unfortunately I was the family history. With kids you need good health care and think everyone isn’t going to get hurt.