TGFI

Thank God For Insurance.

Got the bill for my unexpected overnight stay in the hospital from my lap few weeks ago; Just the hospital for room/board/pharmacy while admitted. This does not include the surgeons or the x-rays and such. The grand total was over $22K

And, then I got the payment summary from the insurance company:

Amount billed by provider: $22,218.00
Amount saved by using a network provider : $20,426.00
Amount we paid: $1,612.80
Patient Responsibility: $179.20


Or, the diagnostic testing that identified the gallstones….

Amount billed by provider: $3,026.00
Amount saved by using a network provider : $2,033.59
Amount we paid: $793.93
Patient Responsibility: $198.48


I mean, the costs do still add up, but it would be much, much worse without insurance. I really don’t know how people do it if they don’t have insurance or good insurance. Granted, I pay a fair amount for the top of the line coverage offered by my employer. I just had to renew my coverage for 2007 and I really debated on whether to add Max to my dental overage as it added about $300/year, but decided to do so just in case. It would be cheaper to not add him if he just had 2 office visits next year, but it could get quite costly if he had some accident or such that damaged his teeth. I waffled and waffled and finally decided to pay the money up front and to look at it as a blessing if I didn’t need to use the coverage for anything other than routine care.

I have been bemoaning my insurance this last year because they took away the really plush plan that I loved where I could alternate between HMO and PPO as I wanted. Loved that plan. Still very sad I no longer have it. So, while I can’t say I heart my insurance, I’m very, very happy I have it.

TGFI!