Everyday Randomness

Answer Your Phone Hospital Lady!

I guess you can figure out that I still can’t get in touch with the financial dept woman at the hospital to discuss hubby’s hospital bill. She’s still not returning my phone calls, but the hospital finally sent me our bill. Well, let me rephrase that. The hospital sent me our BILLS. Yes, that’s plural.

First there’s the bill from the radiology department for reviewing the xrays. That one’s a little less than $150, so it’s not so bad. Yesterday I also received a bill from the ER for a little over $600. I thought okay, I can handle this. I might not even need to worry about setting up a payment plan or qualifying for free services.

Then, I check my mail today. There’s another letter from the hospital so I’m thinking goodie the financial woman finally decided to send me another letter. She can’t return my phone calls, but she can mail me crap.

Wait, what is this?

Another bill?

$1243.25!

WHAT!

Of course I’m sure you can see the mental picture of me standing there with my mouth hanging open. First of all, I don’t understand why the ER sent us two separate bills. Was it so they could tease us with the smaller amount then gloat at the idea of me freaking out over another bill that’s double the amount? There is absolutely no possible way I can come up with 1243.25 right now, but the hospital decided to be “nice” enough to also include a note saying they will knock 10% off the bill if we pay it within 15 days. Are they out of their freakin’ minds?

I think what pisses me off the most is the fact that this finance woman WILL NOT return our calls. It’s her JOB to work with patients to see if they qualify for financial assistance. If they do not, then it’s her job to set up a payment plan. What really pisses me off is we do qualify for at least part of the financial assistance, and the 10% off is a slap in the face to me. Screw your 10% off. Tell your employee to call me instead to DO HER JOB.