Iva came home from the hospital today. I went up there expecting to have to battle with the business office. They had told Iva she couldn't check out of the hospital until she paid them the $35,000 bill. The whole thing is outrageous. They know she doesn't have money, and yet they threaten her like she is some kind of criminal. My God! Like they were going to hold her for a ransom, and if I didn't fork over the $35k all in unmarked bills, placed in a bag, in the trunk of my car, and left in parking garage 10 south on the 5th floor, then that was it, they would keep her in the hospital and keep treating her indefinitely! What a threat! I mean, really!
In the end, we left without anyone saying anything about money.
The good news is that she has been without a fever for a couple of days. They so-so news is that she still has the drain in place, which is a bit uncomfortable, and disappointing for her. The healthcare system here in the United States is a bit different than what she is used to, I think. You are sent home with apparatus (like a drain) that you would never be sent home with in places like Vienna. Not that one is worse than the other, it just takes getting used to. There is a certain level of self-sufficiency and self-doctoring that is required here.
The bad news is that MD Anderson decided not to work with us on the price or the payments. They said that since the medications she needs can be received at other medical clinics in Houston, they had no reason to reduce their rates. (Plus due to the economic crisis, they have been laying off some of their employees. They rely heavily on donations and have recently experienced a dramatic reduction in the amount they receive.)
The other good news is that we have found a clinic that will work with us. It is really close to our home. The doctor is not a specialist, but is only a general oncologist, b. However, the sarcoma specialist (Dr. Ludwig) at MD Anderson will oversee things and assist in the decisions in Iva's care. He will also be available to review test results, such as CT scans. This is all very good. They told us they would charge 1/2 of the regular price since she is uninsured. What we don't know is what the regular price is. We will find out later this week.
So for now, we are all home again. Together. That is the best news of all.
Welcome home, Iva! you are still in our prayers constantly. I believe God has great plans for you yet.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing you're calmer than me, Melissa--I'm afraid I would have not been nice to the business office staff. And I really don't care that they have had to lay people off. Oh, so sad.
It is no excuse for treating Iva like a criminal, and you guys like her molls.
How are Antonio and Mimi holding up? we pray for them, too.
Love you all--
Sue.
Welcome home dear Iva!!!just to say that here in Macedonia we are organizing an event for her cause and the money will be donated on the account provided. We are also in the process of opening mobile phone donations we just need papers to prove that Iva is waiting for a treatment and her ID photocopy.please send me her details on lujza.bojcova@gmail.com
ReplyDeletePrayers for her!!!