The cost of care....

[jillgibson]

I have to say that our insurance is pretty good. They cover 100% after our deductable. Our deductable is $2,000, but DH's employer picks up anything over $400. However, our prescription coverage is horrible.
This month, Avery's pharmacy costs will be about $250 (give or take a little). We also had to purchase all new household cleaners, a HEPA filter, different laundry soap, and the gas to and from the hospital (about 1 1/2 hours away) a few times. Luckily, I'm on salary, so the missed days it won't effect my pay. DH missed 3 days of work and we don't know if they'll pay him or not.
We are fortunate that we can manage the expense, but it has to come from somewhere (our eating out, entertainment, and savings budget for the month).
Does anyone else feel the weight of the expenses?

[my4boys]

Thankfully, we dont have too much of a cost now. However, we DID before! Right now, we pay a $50 co-pay for each of Lilys Drs at Childrens. She sees 12 different ones, twice a year, so that is about $1200 in co-pays a year. We are hoping that after she turns 3, she will go to a twice a year "group" visit with all 12 drs being present and seeing her as a group. Then our co-pays will drop to $100 a year! She is also having dental issues, already, which are going to cost us plenty, I am sure, but not sure how much. In atleast ONE of her molars, her enamel is "not right" (I cant think of the word!!!) due to a medication she was on during her surgery. She has to get some work done on it already.

For her 1st six months, she was on a Haberman feeder. Very frustrating that the insurance wouldnt cover it, even though it was the only way to feed her, other than tube feeds! The bottles were about $30 a piece (times 6) and you had to replace the nipples/vent system, etc each month, which were $18 for each one, so it was running us about $108 a month, just for new nipples/vent system plus the $180 initial startup for the first 6 bottles! AND, I wasnt able to breastfeed, like I had planned, so add the cost of formula, as well.

Overall, I cant complain too much. We may have expenses for dental issues and vision, but she is so very much worth it!

Blessings~
Wendy

[becca]

I guess I can't complain at all in this area. Since Robbie was adopted from foster care, he is eligible for a medical card (no copays, no coinsurance) until he is 18 or grad from h.s. This is irregardless of our income. Now, that has it's ups and downs. We have a lot of hoops to jump through to get specialists, but generally if the ped is behind it, it happens. Also, with the nature of his needs, much of the services he will need are provided through our awesome public schools here in our town. I don't know what we would do without the medical card. Being self-employed, there is no way we could get insurance that would even begin to actually pay for his speech therapy. I do hope to go to nursing school once the children are a little older. Then, the plan is for me to work for a large hospital or clinic so that I can get good insurance for our whole family. At that point, we'll just use the medical card to pick up whatever the insurance won't.

Becca

[sammytkitty]

Our plan covers 100% after deductable (4500 for the family). However, we have a 1 million life-time max. The twins were 1 million each. Add 56,000 for each surgery (Em 1 and Bridget 5)...wow! We worked out a deal in that we still have coverage, however, they have to approve it in $50,000 increments. So far they have paid their share and more, but it was hard because we did have a day when a $19,000 and a $20,000 bill came from the NICU and insurnace said we owed it...needless to say, we went out to eat!
Laura

[becca]

sammytkitty said:

needless to say, we went out to eat!

Oh Golly! That's so far out of control, I think I would have done the same thing.

Becca

[wuvmyangel93]

I too am very lucky, being mostly self-employed I have awesome insurance for kali-morie with no co-pays or deductable etc.

Even her pediasure is still covered they do it on a 6- month approval basis.

I will be having a orthodontist evaluate her soon since her front tooth is still turning in, she had a double row and it got crowded. This I will have to pay for.

Like Stacy we pay for all kinds of items not covered on insurance, her vitamins, acidophilus, fiber etc.

[sadattimes]

WE have good insurance too THANK GOD (just the kids and me)!!!! I have to pay a co-pay of $5.00 per script for me but the kids are free for both. My scripts ALONE are $500 a month and Kasandra's is about the same! I am so happy we dont have to pay for that.

[thankful heart]

There is frustration as dealing with the medical expenses including therapy which is now on our shoulders if we want to continue. With Ken being self-employed, we have to find our own insurance. Being farmers, helps but it still isn't a great rate or great coverage. sigh... Ellie isn't special needs but she does seem to be asthmatic (talking more to the doctor about that today) and we use special cleaners, filters, etc too... Ugh... Sometimes I just want to dump out all the change I have and say "take it all"...