CTBRIDE

missgooseyface

I just saw your post about your preemies transfer. Your situation sounds a lot like ours. I had to deliver at a hospital 90 minutes from home because I was only 29wks. When I called insurance they said they didn't cover transfers that weren't medically necessary. Last week the hospital submitted the transfer but said its hard to justify a move to a lower level NICU DD is currently at a level 4 and this hospital is considered the best in the tri state area...the hospital closer to home is a level 2 and is a partner hospital to this one...all the same drs rotate between them.

We are prepared for the ins co to decline the transfer...what was your experience with the ins co and the transfer? Like you, my husband would get to spend more time with DD if she was closer because he only gets to spend an hour or so after work and still doesn't get home until around 10pm. It's so hard on him always driving. I work from home so luckily I am able to spend all day with her, but I stay with family during the week that live a little closer. I miss my husband and home but this is where I need to be so I'm here but a transfer would be a godsend. Any insight you can share would be great :

CTbride79

I am so sorry about your current situation with the distance!  Having gone through it I know how difficult it is on everyone.  We were lucky in that there was a Ronald McDonald House right across the street from Hospital #1 where DS was born, so after I was discharged we spent about 10 days there before DS's transfer, although DH was still commuting back and forth and only got a few minutes in the morning and an hour or so at night, much like your DH. 

We lucked out with our insurance and they didn't oppose the transfer at all...the only hang up we waited on for a few days (I think DS was approved for the transfer at maybe 10 days old) was bed availability (we went from a 60 bed NICU to a 12 bed NICU).  I think that delayed his transfer a couple of days.  I think both NICUs were considered Level 3, although the first hospital was definitely way more advanced because they regularly handled micro preemies, and I don't think the second hospital had that capability...I think our insurance jumped on the transfer because the first hospital was way more expensive, so our transfer saved them a lot of money.  The only detail we were told they would likely decline to pay for was the ambulance ride (because it was a non-emergency), which I honestly can't remember if they did cover or not! 

So I guess I would think the lower level NICU would be cheaper for your insurance company, so you would think they would welcome a transfer?  If they do decline it, I would see if you can appeal for sure.  How much longer do they estimate your DD needing to stay in the NICU? 

By the way, do you have private insurance?  We did and I think the administrator handling the transfer said because of that we really wouldn't have a problem when they were submitting it for approval, because I was nervous they would decline us too. 

Keep me posted!  I hope they do in fact approve you guys...it made such a world of difference in our lives for the last few weeks of his NICU stay.   

missgooseyface

The hospital has a Ronald McDonald house on property, but there is a waiting list which we are on.  We expect her to be in the NICU another 4-5 weeks based on the estimate they gave us when she was born.  I was talking with her nurse today and she said that surely the daily costs at a level 2 NICU are lower than at a level 4.  You would hope that since insurance companies are all about money that they would take that into consideration but sadly, they don't.  We are still crossing our fingers and hope to hear one way or the other in the next day or two.

missgooseyface

*UPDATE*

 Insurance approved here care at the other hospital but we have to pay for the transfer out of pocket ($1500). I am waiting to talk with her doctors to see how long they think she will be here (3-4 weeks is what I'm thinking but I want to verify). If that is the case, we are going to pay the transfer...if for some reason they suspect that she may go home earlier than 3 weeks then we probably won't. But she just started nippling once a day yesterday (they tried when she was too young IMO at 32 wks gestational age then waited because she had several Brady's that day afterwards). I'm sure it is going to take some time to get the whole bottle/breast thing so chances are our baby will be moved closer. Happy about it for sure, but nervous about the transfer itself and getting into a new routine at a new NICU with new faces but it will be best for our family for sure. 

CTbride79

Keeping my fingers crossed that they approve you!  And if not, I hope you are able to at least get a room at the RMH...we lucked out and were able to get in right away, and I don't know what we would've done without them! 

Any news on the transfer yet?

CTbride79

missgooseyface:

*UPDATE*

 Insurance approved here care at the other hospital but we have to pay for the transfer out of pocket ($1500). I am waiting to talk with her doctors to see how long they think she will be here (3-4 weeks is what I'm thinking but I want to verify). If that is the case, we are going to pay the transfer...if for some reason they suspect that she may go home earlier than 3 weeks then we probably won't. But she just started nippling once a day yesterday (they tried when she was too young IMO at 32 wks gestational age then waited because she had several Brady's that day afterwards). I'm sure it is going to take some time to get the whole bottle/breast thing so chances are our baby will be moved closer. Happy about it for sure, but nervous about the transfer itself and getting into a new routine at a new NICU with new faces but it will be best for our family for sure. 

Thanks for the update!  I have had my screen open all morning trying to reply to you, but of course my cranky baby has kept me from my computer!  Lol 

SO glad to hear they approved the transfer!  I think we did have to pay the cost of actually moving him in the ambulance too (may have mentioned that above), but that is so great she will be closer to home for you guys!!  It was definitely a little stressful thinking about the whole physical act of transferring him, and an adjustment getting used to the new NICU, but honestly everything went perfectly fine and we settled into the new hospital more quickly than I expected...within just a few days we had a nice routine again!  Good luck!!

missgooseyface

Well, they are scheduling her transfer for tomorrow morning. Her Dr here doesn't think we should have to pay for the ambulance so she is actually having the higher ups talk with the transport company. She said she is trying to get the ambulance co to absorb the costs....I don't see that happening but she seemed hopefully. Either way, she's moving tomorrow. We are prepared to pay but of course will be thrilled if we don't have to