Medical Emergencies and no insurance, happen to you too? (THIS IS NOT AN AD!)

[lisan23]

Before I even type - I want to make it clear that I don't want to see a single ad for Ameriplan or anything else in this journal.

This journal is to show other mom's that NOT EVERYONE is prepared for life all the time. I am truly surprised at how some people have considered my and my husband irresponsible because I got pregnant without planning it. (Honeymoon baby, literally, and I was on birth control.) Irregardless of the situation, neither one of us had health insurance. Since I had a "pre-existing" condition, it's not like we could go out and buy a plan. So I got a job that would cover me, pre-existing condition and all. Towards the end of the pregnancy I had problems going into early labor. I was put on bed rest half way through March. My supervisor said he would take care of everything and not to worry about a thing. I had my daughter on April 1st, 2005. Two weeks later I received a letter in the mail from my employer letting me know that my health insurance ended on March 31st. I called HR, I went to my employer, I fought and fought and fought. But they didn't care. I was just one of many employees that they didn't really care about. Needless to say, I didn't go back there, but took a job that paid more with another company. My benefits wouldn't start for 3 months, until then my daughter was covered by the state. (I figured I had spent 4 years paying into these programs, if I needed to use one every once in awhile I had earned the right.) However, 2 months into the job I had emergency surgery. That bumped our medical debt to over $40,000. Between the two of us we weren't making more than $25,000/year. We paid when we could, but we FINALLY are now setting up solid payment arrangements because we can finally afford it. We weren't living the life, we didn't have extra's. We got cable and internet for the first time 3 months ago - and we have internet because of my job. (I have to have it.)

I am shock, disgusted, and apalled that other moms would think that people who don't pay their medical bills are doing it because they are spending their money to pay for expensive toys, TV's, cars, etc. The reality is that most of the people who don't pay their medical bills are struggling to survive each month, and just don't have the money to pay it. The government tells us we make to much money to qualify for any aid, but we don't make enough to pay all our monthly bills. I know I'm not the only mom who has had an experience like this, either.

[minniemiss]

May. 12, 2008 at 6:49 PM I completely agree with you. I have 2 children, my husband and I have been together for 11 years now. The line of work he is in has moved us from state to state. Then of course because neither one of us is okay with living from the government, my husband went to work and asked me to stay home, yes I am lucky in that way I am a stay at home mom with a husband who works. However, because we will not lie, we couldn't get health insurance. We made like 200$ more than aloud for state medical. $200! That went to taxes. Up until the last 3 months my children haven't had any medical insurance. I have had to do private pay option the entire time. I do owe so much to the hospital. From emergency visits it's unbearable at times. We are slowly paying them off. It is taking years! But even if we did have insurance there is still the deductible and co-pays and monthly fees,...when you don't even have money to buy cheep diapers and laundry soap how can you be expected to buy medical insurance?? I totally agree with you and I am sorry you are going through this. Good Luck.

[KILEY125]

May. 13, 2008 at 11:02 PM

[EricaAbbott]

Aug. 10, 2008 at 9:39 PM

That makes me sad that people would think that way about you. Our baby was unplanned also- aka our birth control didn't work. We're still driving a 91' Honda according- living in an apartment that's only $400 a month. We have Internet, but only so I can go to school and take care of my son.It's kind of a hard life. I'd like to take care of my family- we're trying to- but accidents really do happen. Just wondering, would you be interested in joining a group called Moms for Universal Health Care? We'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions.