theladysnarkydame (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
theladysnarkydame) wrote2020-12-18 05:56 pm
theladysnarkydame) wrote2020-12-18 05:56 pm
(no subject)
The American health care system is a joke, we all know this. But one aspect I never considered before this summer is just how obtuse the billing system is.
Since Chad died, after his week in the hospital, I've gotten multiple bills for multiple services - various inpatient care things, various doctor services, various . . . things. I always get an announcement from his insurance company, tellling me what they've approved, followed by the actual bill, which is sometimes exactly that and sometimes a bit lower. The amounts aren't really the problem - they don't add up to a great happy thing, but I've been able to pay them, because Chad had pretty decent insurance working for a wealthy school district (thank you Boeing for your taxes). If they keep coming for too long, paying them will become more of a problem - they're already cutting into my savings, which means I'll have less time than I'd like to find a new job, since I'd rather not have to sell the house.
The problem is the scattershot billing system. I've paid 6 or 7 bills since July? Several of which look exactly the same but for the dates, and all of which come in with no apparent schedule, and with no apparent end in sight, as each department apparently bills out its services whenever they get around to it.
So I don't know how much more I have to pay. Or when the next bill will show up. I just paid the latest one today, and there's a notice on the website that "there has been further activity" on the account, but I don't seem to have a way to see what that was. I don't know when I'll be done with this. It's stressing me the fuck out.
And that sucks.
For happier thoughts, the house looks really cute with christmas lights up. There're no presents under the tree but it's bright and cheery and smells like pine, and the whole place is cozy and warm and I can cuddle under my faux fur blanket on the couch and watch the Mandalorian (not a bad space western, all told) or read a book or play Hades or watch snow fall on my Animal Crossing island.
I've wrapped presents for my niece and nephews, and will be spending christmas eve and christmas day with them at my brother's place in Oregon, so I won't have to sit alone for the holiday, and that's probably a good thing. My mood's been swinging pretty wildly for the last week or so, but I'm looking forward to seeing them, and to getting a nice solid hug from my brother. I just hope I don't burst into tears in front of the kids.
I'll get to surprise my brother with my new tattoo - he's not on instagram, so he won't have seen the picture. I'm quite proud of it - it looks great all healed up.
Since Chad died, after his week in the hospital, I've gotten multiple bills for multiple services - various inpatient care things, various doctor services, various . . . things. I always get an announcement from his insurance company, tellling me what they've approved, followed by the actual bill, which is sometimes exactly that and sometimes a bit lower. The amounts aren't really the problem - they don't add up to a great happy thing, but I've been able to pay them, because Chad had pretty decent insurance working for a wealthy school district (thank you Boeing for your taxes). If they keep coming for too long, paying them will become more of a problem - they're already cutting into my savings, which means I'll have less time than I'd like to find a new job, since I'd rather not have to sell the house.
The problem is the scattershot billing system. I've paid 6 or 7 bills since July? Several of which look exactly the same but for the dates, and all of which come in with no apparent schedule, and with no apparent end in sight, as each department apparently bills out its services whenever they get around to it.
So I don't know how much more I have to pay. Or when the next bill will show up. I just paid the latest one today, and there's a notice on the website that "there has been further activity" on the account, but I don't seem to have a way to see what that was. I don't know when I'll be done with this. It's stressing me the fuck out.
And that sucks.
For happier thoughts, the house looks really cute with christmas lights up. There're no presents under the tree but it's bright and cheery and smells like pine, and the whole place is cozy and warm and I can cuddle under my faux fur blanket on the couch and watch the Mandalorian (not a bad space western, all told) or read a book or play Hades or watch snow fall on my Animal Crossing island.
I've wrapped presents for my niece and nephews, and will be spending christmas eve and christmas day with them at my brother's place in Oregon, so I won't have to sit alone for the holiday, and that's probably a good thing. My mood's been swinging pretty wildly for the last week or so, but I'm looking forward to seeing them, and to getting a nice solid hug from my brother. I just hope I don't burst into tears in front of the kids.
I'll get to surprise my brother with my new tattoo - he's not on instagram, so he won't have seen the picture. I'm quite proud of it - it looks great all healed up.