This all started one year ago when William had a heart attack at 6am on the 4th of July. Rushed him to the E.R., got him stabilized. E. R. doctor didn't find anything on his EKG so he started to release him. Suddenly a cardiologist walked in the room as we were packing up and said "NO WAY". He ran him in for an angiogram and found 5 blocked arteries to his heart. Transferred him to another hospital for surgery.
SOMEWHERE, someone dropped the ball. This time, I believe it was the insurance company. The trip to the E.R., treatment in the E.R. and the angiogram were all EMERGENCIES. There was no way to plan in advance, call the insurance company and get approval for a heart attack on thursday. Insurance company denied the claim because there wasn't pre-authorization. Not our fault. Even if the hospital had time to pre-authorize the procedures and failed to do so, it is STILL not our fault, YET after two denied appeals we are still being held responsible for that godalmightyhuge bill.
Fast forward to June. I had to take an ambulance ride to the E.R. at the same hospital. I kept telling people I was having an allergic reaction. They kept ignoring me and treating me for a heart attack. E.R. doctor this time says I have to stay in the hospital for tests and observation. Isn't that ironic?? William, who was obviously having a heart attack was going to be sent home, yet I who had no signs of a heart attack and multiple signs of an acute allergic reaction, had to stay for more heart tests! I told them they had to get pre-authorization from my insurance company because they didn't last time and we got the bill.
I should have rolled myself out of there and let everyone b i t c h at me. The doctor had threatened to make sure my insurance wouldn't cover my expenses by saying I'd left against medical advice if I didn't stay. Well, guess what?! The hospital did NOT pre-authorize my stay or any of the tests so the insurance DID NOT COVER ME ANYWAY!!!!!!!!!!! I got a call from a collection agency today!
