They kept me there for 9 hours. 9. Now they expect me to pay them over a thousand dollars. Where the heck am I supposed to get that? I just got temporary financial security now shortness of breath threatens to undo that. It is so unfair. I try so hard too. I am not evne sure if they will keep me at this job. Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
Thats horrible Syn. I hate ER's too. See if your hospital has a payment program like H.E.L.P. (i forget what it stands for). They basically give you a 'loan' to cover the bill and then you make installments on it. That way the bill doesn't go into collections and you don't have to try to find gobs of money you don't have.
Hope you are okay.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
I will not only terrify my rabbit but end up having ANOTHER asthma attack from this bill!
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
I have ER horrors too terrible to recount. Dreadful. Yet so necessary.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
They will work with you. YOu can pay $5 a week if you need to. As long as you're paying something, they can't harass you. Call their financial office, they'll be able to help you. Or, you may qualify for Medicaid to pay your past medical bills. In any case, it's not supposed to show up on your credit report. Don't worry, everyone understands that medical bills are a special case. (((hugs))) It'll be okay.
Posted by Tinros (Member # 8328) on :
I got kept in a base hospital for three days when I was in fourth grade. I had been walking to the bathroom one night, and I got a shooting pain up my leg, followed by complete numbness and loss of reflexes. The performed a while bunch of tests- MRIs, EKGs, CAT scans, even a spinal tap(to give one of those to a fourth grader WITHOUT anesthetic, and to mees it up twice and have to di it three times... imagine how loud I was screaming.). And guess what? THey couldn't find anything wrong with me. I swroe never to go back to the base hospital after that.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
When it's a choice between the emergency room for a breathing treatment and dying of a treatable asthma attack, you go to the emergency room.
Have you considered getting a nebulizer, though?
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Syn, or you on a regular asthma plan (i.e., steroid inhalers or oral meds instead of just albuterol for emergencies)?
Edited to Add: Don't stress about the bill. They will work with you. All you have to do is contact the financial department at the hospital -- they are always very verrry understanding.
The worst thing to do is feel overwhelmed and ashamed, and then deal with it by avoiding thinking about it. Trust me. *rueful look
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
It wasn't even that serious. Just mild shortness of breath and I was worried that I'd have a panic attack. I was about to have one raging over waiting for hours up end. 2:30-freaking 8:30. Why can't I do something FUN for that many hours? I'll call them again tomorrow and try to work something out. The problem is I don't WANT to give them my money. I've only just started saving money and if I can keep this job I can finally start repaying people and stablizing a bit... I hope they let me keep it... Perhaps i have ignored enough bills, but it can't be helped...
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Syn, Some hospitals have programs you can apply for and they'll completely forgive your bill based on income/expenses. Call up the department and see what they can offer.
Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
OK. But I have started to make huge quantities of money (compared to what I used to make). SO they might try to gank all that cash from me anyway. They are not touching my savings. No way.
Posted by Phanto (Member # 5897) on :
J**** C*****.
Syn... If there is any way whatsoever that I can help, let me know. If not, love you as always, and feel better soon! Have a virtual hug...
Take care of yourself. If you need any help with anything, let me know. (Yes, I virtually repeated myself...sorry )
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