So upset right now

Maybride2

Just a few hours ago, I realized that I forgot to tell the pediatrian that DS is eligible for the VFC program (since we hit our limit with our health insurance and they won't cover any of his shots now).

He got 4 shots at his last visit. 

I know that the flu shot is going to cost us $50, but I am so scared to get that bill now that I can't stop pacing around the kitchen. 

Anyone ever pay out-of-pocket for 1 year shots?  Obviously every ped office will charge somewhat differently, but I've got to know what to expect.......a $300 bill?  $500 bill?  I'm about ready to puke.  I can't believe that I forgot something so fuking important.

BubblyToes

Can they go back and rebill it? 

Saw you get your bitchy out over on the SAHM board.  Well done my friend, well done.

marchbaby

I have no idea what they charge but I heard our peds office tell a patient once that if they have to pay out of pocket there is a lower fee for visits etc.  So hopefully that will be the case.  I don't know what VFC is, but is it too late to have it paid through them?  Maybe if you called tomorrow and talked to the office manager?

eclaires

I think Jackson's 1 year well baby visit (w/ several shots) was in the $400 range.  We didn't pay it (or I'd remember exactly), but I looked at the thing we got from our insurance about how much it was.

I'm sorry.    You know, you can probably see about getting the negotiated rate for insurances and possibly pay it over a few months... that stinks though.

**BAC***

I would call and talk with someone tommorow and see if they can help you.  Just tell them that you forgot while you were there.

Good luck!

PiperBride

I paid out of pocket for my NT scan and 1st trimester screening (that's what happens when you sign up for the high deductble HSA plans at your big, posh corporation, ladies and then have a surprise pg!!)  The negotiated rate was $1700.  I did my research ahead of time but it still hurt when we got the bill.  Can you call them back and talk to them about whatever the VFC program is?  I am shocked that the well-child stuff wouldn't be covered in your plan...and I'm sorry.  Can you pay the bill in installments?

Maybride2

Since his visit was two weeks ago, I'm sure that they've already billed it.  We're so fuking screwed.

It's not like it's going to put us in the poor house, but it's not like we've got an extra $500 laying around either.  God, I'm so pissed at myself right now.

Thanks Bubbly.........I think I'm going to have to do that more often ;-)

Brideofranken

I don't know anything about this- but good luck! I hope you can negotiate or something.

what a drag! American healthcare blows!

Rebekah1021

Call and ask them to rebill it. I'm not sure how much shots are, but before DD was added to our insurance her first appt. ending up being billed to us and it was $475. We had them rebill insurance once we got it taken care of.

Maybride2

VFC = Vaccines For Children, it's a program that offers low-cost or free vaccines for children that aren't covered by insurance.  Since DS's vaccines aren't covered under our insurance anymore, he'd qualify.

And I REMEMBERED this a few months ago, and remember thinking about how important it was for me o tell them at his appointment. 

I'm definitely calling them tomorrow, but I'm doubtful that they'll be able to help me.  I just need to know how bad the bill is going to be so that I can start saving for it now and so getting the actual bill won't be such a shock.

Guess who's not getting anything new for herself for a long, long time?

PiperBride

Don't beat yourself up.  I hope that they can do something for you when you call - maybe they will recode the appointment and resubmit the bill.  I'm really sorry, our out of pocket max for this year is 12K and we don't have quite that much laying around either.  It's hard! 

The bright side is that he's healthy and it's not medical expenses for something awful.  The bummer is that you had totally thought about it...and then it slipped your mind.  It will be ok!!

Ciarrai

If you can, ask them to rebill it. Or add you to the program or whatever.  They might be able to work with you.

If not, you can see if you can work out a payment plan.  We have a really high deductible with our insurance and didn't have the money in our health care spending account when DD#2 was born.  I just called the hospital's billing department and they were willing to let me pay $200/month to pay it off.  (It was a $3000 bill.)  They let me decide what payments we could afford.  We ended up paying it off in 6 months, but they were great about working with us.  From what I understand most medical offices are like that these days as long as you're paying something and have worked it out with them, they're fine with you paying over time.

goodhartedmommy

Um, that's just downright sucky that your insurance wouldn't cover vaccinations. The healthcare pushes them so hard, why in the world would they not be covered?