I retired at 62 just to have a stable income in a horrible IT job market. The boom days of IT training had ended, and training contracts were few and far between. Health insurance was one of the expenses that didn’t fit in a drastically reduced budget. As I approached 65, the insurance companies wanted $500 a month for a minimal plan. I applied for VA Healthcare, but I still earned too much under the old rules. We were in a state of virtual middle-class poverty. The energy companies and insurance companies were killing our budget. The only hope was to not get seriously injured or sick until I was eligible for Medicare.At the time of the accident, I was seven months shy of my 65th birthday. The year was already a slow for training, and the budget was stretched to the limit. Monica had back surgery two weeks prior to the accident, and was home recovering. Her income was now from Workmen’s Compensation. Financially, the accident could not have occured at a worse time.
The accident happened on a Thursday, and on Friday a financial counselor from St. Vincent’s visited me. She gave me a packet that included a financial aid application. I just had to submit the application by September 10. No high pressure, just an honest discussion. It didn’t take long after I got home before the medical bills starting arriving. The following tables shows the initial amount owed, the adjusted amount, and a reference to the notes:
Table of Medical Bills
| Provider | Billed Amount |
Adjusted Amount |
Status |
| St. Vincent Healthcare | $40,798.30 | $2,442.50 | 6% [1] |
| St. Vincent Emergency | $405.45 | $24.33 | 6% [2] |
| SVH Medical Equipment | $166.00 | $33.00 | 19.9 % [3] |
| Ortho Montana | $6,298.00 | $4,143.60 | 66%[4] |
| Rocky Mountain Vascular | $275.00 | $103.30 | 38% [2] |
| Eastern Radiological | $142.00 | $31.24 | 22% |
| Anesthesia Partners of MT | $1922.06 | $422.85 | 22% |
| Surgical Associates | $814.00 | $407.00 | 50% |
| Total | $50,820.81 | $7,587.82 | 15% |
Notes:
- I submitted the financial aid application on September 1, 2009 and am waiting a letter regarding the amount of aid. Apparently, the downturn in the economy caused a swell in applications for financial aid, which slowed down the review process. The letter arrived on January 27, St. Vincent’s initially granted a 78% discount and then increased to 94%. Thank you St. Vincents for giving me back hope of financial recovery.
- Several service providers said they would follow St. Vincent Healthcare.
- St. Vincent Home Oxygen and Medial Equipment required a separate financial aid application. So, I submitted another application. On January 27, I received the revised bill. Thank you for helping.
- Ortho Montana had a separate financial aid application. Finally, Ortho Montana agreed to give a reduction of 34%. When compared to other providers, Ortho Montana constitutes 55% of the remaining amount owed.
Filling out financial aid applications and dealing with accounting departments is a big job. With the exception of Ortho Montana, everyone has been very cooperative and understanding. Ortho Montana has been the most difficult service provider with whom I have had contact. I have the following problems with Ortho Montana and, in particular Dr. John Wilson:
- Ortho Montana fails to distinguish between statistical poverty and actual financial situation.
- Dr. Wilson, during the September appointment, promised a significant reduction, and then changed his mind when questioned by accounting.
- Had Dr. Wilson put in the second screw, I would be much further along in recovery.
The help granted by St. Vincent Healthcare made a difference in my life. Since the accident on August 6, the weight of the financial burden has, at times, been unbearable. I haven’t made $54,000 gross in over six years. I don’t make enough per month to pay it. When I received the letter, it was such a relief. Ortho Montana is now the sole service provider blocking the road to financial recovery. The can still sink the ship.
Even with the all the help from the service providers, I still must find a job to pay the medical bills. During these economic times that is going to be one tough challenge. Every day, I check all the Internet job listing and social networks with job listing, and apply to one or two jobs a day. Finding a job takes more time than the actual job. While my leg is not fully healed, I have the CD with the X-rays in case anything should happen while away from home.
Tags: broken leg, no insurance