So this rant has been stirring in my mind for months, but now seems like the appropriate time. So here's the deal. Micah is doing fine. They'd let him go home if we could find a nurse to be at the house 8 hours a day. Why cant we? Our stupid insurance won't cover it. (They'll cover the 250,000+ to keep him in the NICU though). Our insurance doesn't cover home nursing care. Why? Because we had to buy our own. Neither of us have full time jobs, despite the fact that Travis works the equivalent of full time, and I work as well. So, we shelled out 1/4 (soon to be 1/3) of our income last year to buy insurance. We payed extra for maternity, waited the full year to get pregnant (you had to pay a year before using it). We played by the rules, yet here we are. The thing is, Micah didn't choose this. It's not his fault. We bought the best insurance we could afford (although there's not much choices, just the ratio of premium to deductible, and whether you want dental or maternity.)
The insurance system is broken. There shouldn't be a profit to be had. People should have to play by the rules, but they also should get the care they NEED. Especially children.. there's no reason this should be going on. Not everyone can find a full time job that pays for great benefits so they don't have to worry. Plus, what do you do when you feel called to do something else? We don't doubt we've spent the last few years where we should be.
It just doesn't make sense. We're not looking for pity, just understanding that not everyone has the insurance they need, or the ability to pay for the insurance they need. Give health care reform some thought.
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I TOTALLY AGREE!!!!! The system is broken and it is the insurance companies that broke it. They are making windfall profits during an economic depression while more and more "insured" people are paying the price. Where does it stop?
ReplyDeleteSimply changing my employment means 3 months of only having "catastrophic coverage" at a ridiculous price because I have a pre-existing condition which has required nothing more than daily medication for years now. Thousands of dollars in premiums (and I pay out of pocket for all meds or quit taking them) for three months during which the insurance company will cover nothing? But if I do not buy the "catastrophic coverage" I am considered uninsurable from this day forward... this is legal! WHY????
The insurance company knows full well that you will never be able to pay for the care that Micah is receiving but they have transferred the responsibility for the debt to you and the care givers and walked away free and clear. The hospital and caregivers will absorb some of the loss and you will be saddled with the debt the rest of your lives. Who cares? Why don't we care?
INSURED people are sick and cannot afford care. INSURED children are being denied coverage for care. YOUR insurance company raised your rates by 1/3 this year and reduced your coverage.
Several thoughts:
ReplyDelete1) The insurance companies aren't making tons of profit. Health insurers posted a 2.2 percent profit margin last year, according to a recent Associated Press article. That's compared to say, 8.5% for Yum Brands (Pizza Hut, KFC, Taco Bell). 2.2% is not a "windfall profit," by any means. They've been affected by the recent economic unpleasantness, as well.
2) "Anonymous" at 7:44 p.m. is speaking beyond their knowledge. As you all point out in the post, your insurer is covering all of Micah's care in the hospital, and is not leaving you with debt from the hospital.
3) It might be a good idea for you to talk to your insurer, and ask them to work up a comparison of hospital care with home health care. Keep moving on up in the responsibility ladder of your insurer. Appealing may be a good idea, even if your plan specifically excludes home health care. Ask them which is less expensive--NICU for months, or home care? It may be that they might come around if home care is less expensive.
4) I also wouldn't leave this just in the hands of the hospital personnel to intercede on your behalf. It isn't in the hospital's interest to let you go home and have home health care--because that would mean less money for the hospital and the caregivers there in Cincinnati. So speak to your insurer directly.
5) I'd also ask the hospital people, "Okay, since we know how to do everything, how bad would it be to omit the home health care, or limit it to so much time per day?" After all, all of these decisions are in your hands.
6) Patience is a part of the fruit of the Spirit, and it may be that the Lord is developing that in you in these days.
Ignorance is a blissful place from which to judge others...
ReplyDeleteIt would seem that the previous anonymous person does not know you or anything about your situation? The rest of us know that you have worked with all of the above people and agencies for a resolution that does not involve a lifelong financial burden for you, or less than the best professional care for your son. And patience? Was this guy one of Job's friends?
Keep your chin up Britt. The body of Christ is behind you and supporting you even during those dark days. I pray that the financial burden is lifted so that you can focus on your baby and his care, and for those who follow in your footsteps, I pray that we work together to find a real solution to a quickly growing problem.
Lets not catch up in the hoopla about the root of this mess...the biggest culprit can be found in none other than the Medicaid system (government run), which has artificially driven up prices through their wasteful habits and inefficient pricing system.
ReplyDeleteOn top of that, lets look at the concept that one should not have to have a good job with good benefits to get good coverage...you're absolutely right about that. Unfortunately...the market is designed for employers and not employees. Imagine being able to choose your own plan based on your own needs (much like auto insurance) and not be stuck with whoever your employer bought at lowest bid...based on THEIR needs.
Add that to massive government regulation and taxation to pay for their own broken program and you have a recipe for disaster.
I really don't know who is to blame but I do know three people are suffering and thats not right! It's just crazy! Ed and I will never be able to retire because his meds without insurance would be 5 to 6 thousand a month!! So we just plug along and hope before we have almost both feet in the grave something will change. Things have a way of fixing themselves so hang in there and maybe talk to other parents down there or even possibly a social worker. You are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteBrittany and Travis Im thinking of you. I know the struggle in between doing what you are called to do and health insurance. My least favorite phrase is part time seasonal. (aka I work year round, tons of hours, but my employer doesnt need to give me benfits) Will preexistings Im living on short term policies 6 months at a time. Ugh Jessie K
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I said nothing about endorsing Obama's plan. I said give reform some thought. It seems like everyone can agree that something is wrong, hence the fact that it needs fixing. I'm not smart enough to know what the right thing to do is. I just know that as a Christian it's my duty to take care of others, whether they deserve it or not. Health care spending has skyrocketed in the last decade, and that needs to change. No one (even with employer based insurance) is going to be able to afford premiums in the not so distant future. Since the second replier is clearly commenting on the first replier, I'm pretty well going to ignore it. I just simply stated that insurance shouldn't be a for profit industry. You can't do what is right for a person if you're trying to make a profit. It doesn't make sense! Health care should be attainable for everyone, and shouldn't bankrupt them when things go wrong. With the increase in premiums we have had, we are paying 6,000 in just premiums. Add a 3,000 deductible on top of that, and it's just ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteWe've considered talking to our insurance company about how stupid it seems they'll pay for the NICU, but we (rightfully so) fear that once they hear that we don't need to be there, they'll stop paying because it's not their fault that we're still there. We most certainly cannot afford to have that happen. We will talk with financial services to see if this makes sense. The hospital won't let us come home without nursing care- our son has to be monitored 24/7.
And please, I think patience is something that we've MORE than had to develop in this situation. Please try to understand our situation before making a statement like this. Imagine being displaced from home (out of state no less) for 3 months- not being able to work or see friends or family. Imagine having your child be born over a month premature and require 3 major surgeries in 5 weeks. We've been patient. We've been understanding. Now, we just are saying that what's happening is crazy. And stupid. And doesn't even make sense.
TO MY DEAREST GRANDAUGHTER & GRANDSON;
ReplyDeleteWe are behind you every step and even further.All we want is you to be home with our adorable greatgrandson and have him safe and sound.We Love you all
Greatgranma
I wonder if Hoosier Healthwise would be available for your situation? It might be worth it to check out at least.
ReplyDeleteFocus on coming home but continue to record the journey. You have been given great insight and developed a strength that will help others to understand the need for healthcare reform... not a fortune cookie, just a friend who loves you guys!
ReplyDeleteWe are applying for Hoosier Healthwise because right now it's the only way we can get him out of the hospital. It'll take likely 4-6 weeks unless they can expedite it. That's why we are trying to get transferred closer to home, since Micah doesn't even need to be in the hospital anymore. It'll be a week this Friday that we applied.
ReplyDeleteBritt and Travis: Hang in there! God will make everything work the way it is suppose to. Don't worry, God's in control~ I know you are thinking, 'what does she know'about all that is happening. I don't know, but I do know God is with you and will do the guiding! Love you both,
ReplyDeleteAunt Janice
Oh sweet girl.... hang in there! I hate that you even have to THINK about the finances and insurance junk in the midst of all that you've been through!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you.... some sort of reform is necessary. While I don't have the answers to what exactly is necessary, SOMETHING is!!! When we made the job change this month, we had to find an individual family plan for the first time in 11 years (we were with group plans previously) and I found it absolutely SICKENING that we were denied coverage from the first company with whom we applied because of the meds/shots that I had to take during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage. Are you kidding me?!! I'm not even pregnant now and am not even on the meds! The only way we ended up getting coverage with another company was to add an "exclusion clause" to our policy.... saying that they would not cover ANY pregnancy complications. We signed the dumb form just to get coverage, but I wanted to scream, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! Why have health insurance if you're not going to cover medical issues?!?!"
Okay, there is my rant.... just wanted you to know that you are NOT alone in your frustration.... but I cannot begin to imagine the level to which you have endured it!
On a more positive note, SO thankful to hear that you are right around the corner! Anything I can do?!?!?!?! :)