Medical Debt and Pureed Pears
I have no idea when I posted last. Time just keeps slipping away and the days sometimes blur into one another.
I’ve been back to work for over three weeks now, and it’s going a lot better than I had expected. It’s tiring, and can get stressful, but I’ve pulled in almost as many hours as I was doing pre-twins, so that is a relief.
The bills are really rolling in now from all of mine and the boys’ hospital care, and I have been filling out assistance applications for all of them. I got a response from the first one, and they denied us for having “too much income”. Trust me, people, if I had the means, I’d pay it now!
I wrote an appeal to them, and now they want more info — such as our 2007 tax return. We haven’t even done our 2007 tax return and they want it by March 6th. I swear, if I keep jumping through all of these hoops and then they tell me “too bad”, I’m going to be so mad! I’ve already sent months of bank statements, pay stubs, profit and loss statements, our 2006 tax return, copies of other bills, our budget, etc, etc, etc.
Meanwhile, as I am appealing, they’ve sent it to collections. They claim there’s still 30 days to deal with it before it hits my credit report and they better not be lying! Ugh.
Overall, we have over $5,000 in medical debt (all due immediately, of course) which isn’t bad, considering over $200,000 was billed to our insurance. But there are still bills to come, and we’re still paying off debt from the IVFs and pregnancy care, so it’s not like we have $5,000 sitting around at the moment. I’m just hoping that my applications and appeals will be accepted and we can work out a reasonable payment plan so as not to totally go under trying to pay our debts.
Anyhow, enough of that nonsense.
The boys are doing well. Cute as can be and each working on their own skills.
Nate currently weighs 11 pounds 8 ounces and “talks” a lot — he especially enjoys squealing. He also likes when you play with his hands and will smile and laugh, and he likes to try to reach for things. He loves looking at lights and is a very laid back boy… until he decides he needs something and then LOOK OUT — he’s got quite the cry!
Ace is about 10 pounds now and is a big smiler and giggler. He loves to kick his feet or have you play with his feet and legs. He likes to be named, and he rolls over from front to back. He also likes to talk. He’s still fussy, but not nearly as bad as he was. And for as fussy as he can be, when he’s happy, he sure is happy!
Unfortunately, Calista had a cold and now Nate has it. The poor little guy has a big cough. I took him to the pediatrician today just to be proactive, and he said he sounds good right now. I am to be on the lookout for trouble breathing or a fever over 100.4 F, and he gave me eye drops for Nate’s goopy eyes. I think Ace sounds a little congested, too, so I am assuming he’s going to be coughing tomorrow as well.
While we were at the pediatrician;s, I asked about solids for the boys. The reason I asked is because Ace takes his reflux meds off of a spoon, and he just gobbles it up and really seems to enjoy it. The doctor said we could let them try out some started foods if they seem ready, but not to take away any breast feedings, which we wouldn’t do anyhow.
So, Calista and I made up some pears for the boys (I made all of Calista’s baby food and plan to make it for the boys, too). Calista loved the pears, so she ate a bowl for herself. :)
We waited until dinner time, so Daddy could be there, and then let the boys try out their pears. Ace ate them well, but he was pretty over-tired, so he cried a lot. Poor little guy! Nate really enjoyed his and was even opening his mouth for more, it was so cute! Since they enjoyed it, we’ll let them have a few tastes of pears at dinner time from now on, until we are ready to try another food later on. I plan to just do pears for a while to make sure neither of them has any sort of reaction to them.
I don’t seem to have any pictures on my memory card at the moment, but here’s a short video of the boys from a few days ago. Nate is on the left, Ace is on the right. Enjoy!
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OMG Sommer they are soooo precious! That video had me grinning from ear to ear! I’m so sorry about all the expenses right now. I hope that you get the assist. you need sweetie. Miss you!
Amanda
How cute! They’re getting so big!!
That video was adorable, Sommer! Your little men are really growing. It’s neat to hear your voice, too.
Wow, Sommer, watching the video serves to remind me what an incredible miracle these boys are!
i LOVE the baby noises!!! and it was strange to “hear” your voice sommer! ( you say the same thigns I do to my wee one right now! ) too funny!
glad that they are well and I hear you on debt- it will allwork out- At least taht is what i tell myself….
Thanks for sharing the video Sommer! I started playing in on my laptop just now and Sean said, “Mommy who is that?!” when he heard your voice! Then he ran over and wanted to watch the video of your adorable boys with me. As other posters said, it was cool to hear your voice! It’s wierd to think that I have known you for five years now, but never heard your voice. Anyway, I am sorry to hear about your money troubles. I do hope all the assistance forms you are filling out will help. Glad you are getting settled in to working again. I am sure it is a lot to juggle. Well, thanks for sharing! The video of Nate and Ace is too cute!!!
Very cute! Such adorable little guys you have. I agree with the other ladies….it was neat hearing your voice. :)
At the end it looks like Ace was kind of side waving goodbye. :)
Hope you get some relief from all the bills. ((hugs))
First off – babies are so adorable. My ds is 3yrs old and was just laughing away at them.
Secondly, obviously I don’t work for any of the places you have medical bills with BUT between 2006 and 2007 I had four miscarriages and four d&c’s – my bills with my insurance deductibles range around $5,000.00. I have made payment arrangements with the hospital and pay about $100.00 month (required) but try to send double that so I’m not still paying when my son is leaving for college!!!
I hope you can find an arrangement that works for you – looking at those gorgeous babies, bills should be the last thing on your mind!
Congrats again!
Try checking out a book by Dave Ramsey called “The Total Money Makeover.” It has changed our lives. It explains the ins and outs of the medical bill system and how to deal with it. It made great sense.
The boys look great, Sommer! You’re doing great work. Henrik ran up to the video and wanted to know which baby was himself…and both H&O said “bye bye” to you at the end.
Yeah for pears!
Try not to worry about the medical bills. If they refuse to make payment arrangements, just use the word “bankruptcy” in a conversation with them and they’re likely to quickly change their minds. (not to necessarily FILE bankruptcy just threaten it)…
Hang in there…
Sommer…the video is so adorable….my 3yr old twins LOVED it and kept saying baby talking…..and they are cute mommy….two babies.
Hang in there Sommer….
They are adorable! So cute and you can totally see them emerging as individuals, but still see that they are close brothers. It will be sooo much fun to watch them grow. I pray the financial situation will work out for you and that you will get some assistance.
Forgot to tell you that I love that picture at the top of this page and in your photos on the other site. The one where they are laying opposite directions with their heads together and the shirts that say “He did it”! Love those shirts and that definitely is the best picture of them so far….