tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post1981411761185458347..comments2024-03-26T19:10:34.328-08:00Comments on The "Make Do" Homemaker: When Life Gives You Lemons...: Frugal Friday: Money Saving Weekly Recap (and One Step Forward, Two Steps Back)Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"http://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-65199836763836892962016-10-11T08:36:41.272-08:002016-10-11T08:36:41.272-08:00They don't break down what I owe the sleep cen...They don't break down what I owe the sleep center, but the amount they say that they put onto the deductible (no discount that I can find) equals the amount we owe the sleep center. Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-63645757338726039382016-10-11T08:34:41.141-08:002016-10-11T08:34:41.141-08:00Yeah, I've tried that. Unfortunately, if you ...Yeah, I've tried that. Unfortunately, if you do that even a LITTLE bit with him, even portioning them onto a plate or something, his PICA just immediately gets worse and any paper items in the house get eaten, dirt and other even less edible items also start to get shoved into his mouth. Right now at school because of lack of snacking when he wants he's eating on his clothes. I'm really concerned about what he's doing to his new coat. Sigh.Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-32760659095539780172016-10-10T13:50:20.351-08:002016-10-10T13:50:20.351-08:00Ericka.
I am sorry about your week. You should hav...Ericka.<br />I am sorry about your week. You should have a discounted rate because you have insurance. Reasonable and custumery amount that is prenagosheated sp? Because you<br />have insurance. Some times the claim is just denied the first time it is submitted. The insurance commitioner for your state might be able to help with<br />this. Also sometimes they have money or schoolarship they will not tell you about if you do not ask. One time a foundation paid something that I had no possible way to pay. Sorry I can't spell today. I have migraine. Sending hugs and prayers your way. PattiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-14277370667167574752016-10-10T13:21:00.581-08:002016-10-10T13:21:00.581-08:00Erika, if your dh is anything like mine, the sleep...Erika, if your dh is anything like mine, the sleep center will tell him one thing then your husband won't question it. You call, speak with the office manager or supervisor and tell them since they told your husband his deductible was almost met you will pay what you can reasonably pay a month. If they were not sure of the cost, they needed to talk with your insurance or have you call, no guessing and then they are sorry. Insurance may be bad but imagine none.Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03532160415343676858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-35867987112279716692016-10-09T13:07:56.303-08:002016-10-09T13:07:56.303-08:00Yes, that is probably an EOB (explanation of benef...Yes, that is probably an EOB (explanation of benefits). Does it show any sort of discount? I guess the big question is does the statement from the insurance company say you owe the provider (the sleep center in this case) match what the sleep center says you owe them? If that doesn't make sense, I'll scan a couple of things of ours and email you an example of where the doctor's office tried to have us pay more than we should have. Sheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09576874237914077289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-86402313040437262762016-10-09T09:51:40.818-08:002016-10-09T09:51:40.818-08:00Perhaps it's time to push a little bit more wi...Perhaps it's time to push a little bit more with "regular food" with your son. I know this will be a fight as I've had to go to battles many times with my daughter. But maybe if the Doritos and Cheesies were not readily available, he would eat more of the other food (like the cheaper but probably better for him pasta with parmesan cheese). I'm not saying get rid of them completely, just maybe say you've run out at moment or limit to one serving a day to encourage him to choose something else instead. He's not underweight right now and you won't be starving him to death like before...just encouraging him to choose cheaper and healthier options that you know he does eat.Rhonda A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00448188064878559345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-74434297757464573862016-10-09T09:48:06.651-08:002016-10-09T09:48:06.651-08:00Well, I got a copy of the insurance statement that...Well, I got a copy of the insurance statement that shows they put 3,045 onto my husband's deductible in the mail yesterday, which matches what the insurance company has down (is that an EOB?). The company is only open customer service wise about 3 hours Alaska time during the day and only like three days a week, so I'll have to call on those hours and hopefully talk to someone. The fact that the sleep center called back three times to MODA, talked to three different people and got three different varieties of answer doesn't bode well I'm feeling :(.Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-29951276220389180982016-10-09T09:43:07.619-08:002016-10-09T09:43:07.619-08:00The spices and things I had to replace that were r...The spices and things I had to replace that were really old, were things I just plain don't use that often. For instance I had an ANCIENT bottle of red pepper flakes (and yup, I did indeed get the big bulk container at the time as it was on clearance) and I threw those away as they weren't even tasting hot anymore. I am definitely downsizing the herbs and things I don't use that often. Like, I started buying ground black pepper vs. pepper corns just because I found the taste to be just fine if I replace the ground black pepper every year (and I do), so instead of getting a bulk thing of peppercorns (they were getting really ancient too) I just bought a small bottle of them as the only time I really use them is in say a bouquet garni for soup or something and at Thanksgiving to go in the turkey brine. <br /><br />I think that the amount of thyme I ordered, combined with what is from the garden, will see me through winter...it might be close and I might have to buy another bottle later, but for the most part I'd say I'm good. And you're right. What's the point of having a huge bulk container of herbs around if you are just going to have to throw it out in another five years anyway?<br /><br />With the Crystal Light...he hasn't really tried much of it yet. I've been buying a container of the "to go" packs here and there to try and the different flavors and found I myself love the grape Cyrstal Light with caffeine, which is SIGNIFICANTLY reduced down my consumption of coffee and soda, so I am happy that is on my order from Amazon as I'll definitely use it. What I really like about the caffeine containing Crystal Light is that it has 1/2 the caffeine of a cup of coffee, but still keeps me awake, so I'm not consuming the shear amount of calories from all the cups of coffee and/or tea and I'm getting less caffeine. I'm hoping to, over time, water the Crystal Light down more and more and see if I can wean myself off of the majority of caffeine in my diet and see if I can just plain find something else to keep me awake during the day despite lack of sleep. I think it would be beneficial to my health. Especially getting the soda out of my diet. I KNOW that's not good for me at all. Once I find some good flavors to make via pitcher, I'm going to just start putting it on the table with meals. My husband and daughter will learn to love it or I'll die trying as the shear amount of soda that is blown through around here is awful. And it's definitely going to be cheaper to get the soda budget cut down.<br /><br />When it comes to the physical, I'm trying to figure out how to swing it, but I found that the annual health fair is next week and they always have a place to have your blood work done cheap at it and I found an entire women's health panel (thyroid and other hormone screen, anemia, diabetes, etc etc) is 150.00 and they mail the results to you. I'm thinking about going in and seeing if they have a good place to get the other labs from the yearly done as well and then I'll just have everything mailed to my doctor if I can get it to all work out. <br /><br />Thanks for the well wishes on the week. I sure hope it is a better week this week too!Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-16770444117374085092016-10-09T09:42:36.277-08:002016-10-09T09:42:36.277-08:00I'm thinking I'm going to let my husband g...I'm thinking I'm going to let my husband go in and talk to the sleep center and praying I can convince him to do so as he keeps talking about what if he just gives the machine back and things, would they write off the bill if he did that and threw a fit? I don't know, but it'd be worth a shot to see what they would do in that situation. I can't do that as I'm not the patient, so I'm hoping he gets up enough of a head of steam about this to go and fight about it. <br /><br />I feel like I'm fighting about the bill with no foundation as I don't really KNOW what conversations my husband had with the sleep center as I wasn't there, so I have a hard time getting up a full head of steam about the entire thing as I KNOW my husband can miss things in conversations like that or misunderstand and I could definitely see it when it came to insurance talk as he hasn't had insurance since he was a kid. <br /><br />The gal at the desk had some names of people she talked to at MODA and things when they first tested the waters and things and from what I can gather, MODA told them that my husband was close on his deductible so even if some charges were put onto the deductible, we wouldn't own much and such and and that most would be covered, blah blah blah. I don't know. I need my husband to handle it as he has a better ability to get ticked off about these things. When it comes to the kids I'll call and advocate for weeks if necessary but when it comes to things like this I have a problem with not knowing what is going on and I think it shows in my inability to get ticked off and determined to make it right. That's probably a character flaw I need to work on.Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-1585856255702801602016-10-09T09:19:05.780-08:002016-10-09T09:19:05.780-08:00Thanks for the offer, but I don't participate ...Thanks for the offer, but I don't participate in them either. I used to, but then they kept upping the amount of points you had to imput to get a free 20 oz. Coke, put a limit on how many rewards you could imput in a week and started just deluging the site with all the "giveaways" you could enter and I found myself just getting frustrated every time I tried to do it. When rewards programs become more heartburn than a 20 oz. bottle of coke is worth, it's time to walk away. I had the same problem with the Kelloggs rewards. I used to do them and put in my little codes from packages and things, but now you have to scan your receipt and text it to them. Doing something like that costs me between 10 to 15 minutes on my old Tracfone, which is EXPENSIVE, so I hung that program out to dry too.Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-53393755160093184932016-10-09T06:45:26.045-08:002016-10-09T06:45:26.045-08:00Years ago my dad's insurance co. said his surg...Years ago my dad's insurance co. said his surgery would be covered. Then the bills came that it wasn't covered. Mom figured she had nothing to lose but some time and effort so she called and called and called and actually submitted the bill 27 times! They finally paid. She would have never had the money to pay that bill. Guess now a days it pays to get it in writing up front and cover your butt by writing down the date and names, etc... of all conversations too.<br />Hope you have quick resolution. Take care.<br />Crystal Hankeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17914175004653234554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-26330123174876440282016-10-08T15:47:39.397-08:002016-10-08T15:47:39.397-08:00Oh, goodness, Erika.
I'm so sorry about the...Oh, goodness, Erika. <br /><br />I'm so sorry about the surprise medical bill. Lousy of them to do that to you, especially when things are so tight. We'll say some prayers for you for some creative inspiration and help in paying it.<br /><br />Great score on your daughter's Halloween costume! And I bet moving things around in the house is a bit fun too - if nothing else, when things are better organized it's a relief. <br /><br />Long distance hugs and I hope this week is better or at least has fewer unpleasant surprises,<br />LeaLeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03384475081085015883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-73987561922313831992016-10-08T15:30:29.362-08:002016-10-08T15:30:29.362-08:00I am sorry you have to deal with this. Do you have...I am sorry you have to deal with this. Do you have a copy of the EOB from the insurance company? Honestly, I have usually found the insurance company to be more my friend than the doctor's office. Did you get a preauthorization or predetermination of benefits? Was the provider in-network? Having been through cancer and 5 surgeries in the last five years alone between my husband and I (including double-hip replacement for my husband), I've learned a lot about medical benefits and insurance. But I never fail to get a sick feeling in my stomach every time I get EOB's or bills. I make sure I never pay a bill without comparing it to the EOB, and I read every EOB to check for accuracy. No matter how nice the doctor's office is, make absolutely sure they aren't trying to get you to pay more than the EOB says you have to. I have had that happen over and over. <br /><br />But mainly I wish I could give you a hug. Been there, done that with all things medical. Sheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09576874237914077289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-22960926280089019012016-10-08T15:28:56.568-08:002016-10-08T15:28:56.568-08:00Ask the sleep lab to resubmit to the insurance. Th...Ask the sleep lab to resubmit to the insurance. Thats at least a 60 day turn around, so would delay any payments for 2 months. And they might end up paying on it some. You never know.<br /><br />I'm so sorry you had such a shock. Hang in there. It will get better. Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09360397522677275215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-89485857930402998572016-10-08T14:40:34.151-08:002016-10-08T14:40:34.151-08:00Erika- I suggest to consider both appealing the in...Erika- I suggest to consider both appealing the insurance co (even though leaving Alaska) and to asking for a HUGE discount from the sleep center due to their error (of assuring your husband it would be covered by insurance). <br />(1) If you could get the insurance company to pay even a little bit via the appeals, it would be worth your time. I know it's a huge stress and hassle, but sounds like maybe less of a stressor than coming up with $$$?<br />(2) I'd also ask the sleep center for a 50% discount. Tell them you would not have had the work done if they had not assured you it would be covered by your insurance. My doctor's office actually CHECKS WITH the insurance company (does not assume) before telling me something is covered by my insurance; I think that's pretty standard procedure. Even if they don't call, they literally have a sheet of codes from each insurance company that tells them if that specific insurance company will cover a procedure in MY specific plan. If they have any doubt, they call the insurance co. It seems reasonable that you and the sleep center would both share the burden equally. (In reality, the cost to them was likely not 50% of $3000 so they won't be out any $).<br />(3) In a recent post you had said you needed to replace some spices that were 14 years old (I've been there myself, lol). So maybe it was actually cheaper per ounce for the thyme if you will use it all, versus buying a big container that you wouldn't get through?<br />(4) Thanks for putting your Amazon associate link on your webpage. Just had to make another work-related Amazon purchase and somehow I feel like I'm beating the system to go through your link :-)<br />(5) How does your husband like the crystal light? When I stopped drinking soda (to try to be healthier), I was amazed to see that my grocery costs noticeably fell If it saves $10/month, that's 10% of what you need! As an added possible (eventual) bonus, maybe your son will be curious about what your husband is drinking (lemonade, etc) and eventually want to try what his dad is drinking sometimes too.<br />(6) If your physical is covered, you might want to have it done. I always have my blood work & labs done somewhere else (cheaper), so I just take a list of what the doctor wants to have done and have it done when I can, even if it's several months later.<br />Hope you have a much better week this week.L.E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18445361193041608284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-37373988643069928902016-10-08T12:34:10.843-08:002016-10-08T12:34:10.843-08:00Erika, My heart just breaks for you and your famil...Erika, My heart just breaks for you and your family under these circumstances. I am so sorry. I agree with an earlier comment ... Where is the health or care in the healthcare industry? ChrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-36339791518327373822016-10-08T11:18:40.662-08:002016-10-08T11:18:40.662-08:00And one more thought... I meant to say it in my e...And one more thought... I meant to say it in my earlier comment, but realized that I didn't actually use the words: appeal the insurance company's decision, and keep appealing it, all the way up the line. I love the idea to ask the CPAP provider's office to comp part of the bill since they did look into your coverage and also assured you that all would be OK. It never hurts to ask, even in writing, pleading your case that both you & they were blindsided by this turn of events. Use every government agency you possibly can, e.g. there are state agencies that oversee the behavior of insurance companies, and individual companies do not like to hear from them. The company may be ceasing business in the state of Alaska, but they *were* in business when they told the CPAP company that they would cover the claim.<br />PaulineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-72399547890106650862016-10-08T10:29:05.647-08:002016-10-08T10:29:05.647-08:00Erika, I am stunned by this example of current hea...Erika, I am stunned by this example of current healthcare's indifference and ineptitude! (A couple years ago, I retired from a career in nursing, and I was dismayed then by the changes I saw all around me. With the insurance companies in charge, healthcare is *not* about health and it's *not" about care. OK, stepping off the soapbox...). I understand how this blindsided you and sucked the energy/optimism right out of you, but I am incredibly impressed by your ability to get up again and see what you could do to fix it. You are one awesome woman, and don't you ever doubt it. If the insurance company is going to be annoying, you can be, too -- get on the phone and work your way up the chain of command, noting the names of the people you talk to and the times of the conversations; be very nice to anyone who seems like a potential advocate and very firm with everyone else that "no we won't pay" is not an acceptable answer. Your county in Alaska must have a resource office/person to help people sign up for the government plans; work that end, too, because there might be someone who can get you to the right person who has the authority to make a decision. Anger doesn't work; tears don't work (except with that rare person who has a heart; swearing definitely doesn't work. Consider contacting your state legislator's office for help. Yes, this all takes time, and you don't have much of that. But if you can at least chop off a chunk of that $3,000 bill, the return per hour of your time on the phone could be enormous. Sending prayers and hugs.<br />Pauline<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-58985947245984442862016-10-08T10:12:20.151-08:002016-10-08T10:12:20.151-08:00Got it. I will keep you in my prayers.
Do you pa...Got it. I will keep you in my prayers.<br /><br />Do you participate in coke rewards? I do not, but my husband has 5 12 packs of coke and I can send you the rewards codes if you want them.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03316345355188384564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-5909139198790941562016-10-08T09:51:04.157-08:002016-10-08T09:51:04.157-08:00No, we have the government healthcare through MODA...No, we have the government healthcare through MODA. Unfortunately they are proving to be as helpful as screen doors on submarines on things. The sleep center people are working on trying to figure out a way to reduce our bill and/or get insurance to somehow change their minds and put it onto preventative care. We'll see how it goes, although I'm not holding out much hope since they've gotten no less than 3 different answers from three different people. And that was just talking to MODA yesterday. Not encouraging to say the least.Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-25128739238762918062016-10-08T09:48:50.235-08:002016-10-08T09:48:50.235-08:00Ah, they thought of that. My husband's got a ...Ah, they thought of that. My husband's got a separate deductible than I do. I still have about 5,000 on mine, unfortunately. This is what happens when you get cheap government insurance.<br /><br />The physical itself is covered under preventative care with the insurance company, supposedly, but MODA doesn't cover any labs and the yearly for women can cost anywhere from 500 to 700 at the current time and I'm terrified of getting nailed with THAT, and that's without any other labs, like blood work, the doctor would want to do. And I can't get any straight answers out of the insurance company from one person to another, so I gave up for now. I'm just going to do what I did BEFORE I had to deal with insurance. Save up the money, go in and if the insurance company doesn't cover anything, fine, I'll just pay it. It's safer that way.Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-65127273367403382182016-10-08T09:46:23.286-08:002016-10-08T09:46:23.286-08:00I am so sorry. This is just awful. I hate the id...I am so sorry. This is just awful. I hate the idea of you skipping your physical. Are you sure the billing wasn't miscoded by the sleep center? That can cause this problem.<br /><br />We had a similar issue (with a smaller bill). I called my broker and complained. She assured me there was nothing to be done, so I kept complaining. She eventually agreed to call and plead my case and insurance paid the bill.<br /><br />Do you have a broker?Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03316345355188384564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-20594346769489671002016-10-08T09:43:26.470-08:002016-10-08T09:43:26.470-08:00Thanks. Working on it :).Thanks. Working on it :).Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-85112635875196461442016-10-08T09:39:29.384-08:002016-10-08T09:39:29.384-08:00Thanks, Becky. I really appreciate the encouragem...Thanks, Becky. I really appreciate the encouragement. It helps :). And I might or might not have raided a couple handfuls of chocolate chips when I started doing a in depth pantry inventory last night ;).<br /><br />I know that there is a reason under Heaven and Earth that God is doing this and believe you me I'm praying hard about it for some guidance as to why and asking that He help me to pay off bills vs. getting more stacking up to deal with. I'd like to climb out of the hole instead of trying to dig through the Earth to China, but darned it if that is what I have to do to see daylight I'll do it. I'm stubborn enough *laugh*.Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536514511090897212.post-44334208844962720602016-10-08T09:35:52.751-08:002016-10-08T09:35:52.751-08:00That's why I feel for the sleep center in this...That's why I feel for the sleep center in this case too. They got blind sided by the insurance company doing what they did too as this was the first time that an insurance company HADN'T covered the costs under preventative care. Honestly, when it comes to insurance companies, nothing surprises me anymore as I remember my mom and dad getting blind sided by things when I was a kid and my dad was a government employee and had good insurance!<br /><br />The sleep center is looking into figuring out what they can do to cut the cost of the bill down for us, is just letting us pay the 100.00 during the month whenever we can afford it vs a certain day being due and they aren't going to charge us any interest at all, so I at least feel like they really are trying to work with us about this entire mess. For that I'm thankful.Erika, "The Make Do Homemaker"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09303208981550053539noreply@blogger.com