I'm fast approaching 70; hubby is gonna be 74. He had a heart attack *late last year* and was in the hospital for about a week. We just last week got a billing from the hospital for almost $400. I'll be honest and say I haven't had the heart to look at it yet. I just don't know where the money is going to come from to pay it... but even more than that, what the hell took them so long???? It's been nearly a year from the time of hospitalization until we just receive a bill? And on top of that, it was covered via a Medicare Advantage program he isn't on this year. So how the crap is that suppose to work?! It's all really going downhill in a handbasket FAST.

About a month ago, I finally got him to admit he needed to see the doctor. I feared he had pneumonia. Two weeks later, I was able to get him into an appt and yippers... he has pneumonia. Luckily, he was able to be on a single form of antibiotic and seems to be on the mend, somewhat. Probably could have gone better, but I came down with pneumonia worse than him, and wasn't able to keep constant watch over whether or not he did his meds properly each day.

Last Tuesday, my doc talked to me about the hospital for my case of pneumonia. Told her I couldn't leave hubby alone, especially since he's down sick, too. So, I'm at home tending to myself as best I can, on 2 types of antibiotics and prednisone and last night was the first night in over a week I could keep down solid food. I managed to do dishes today and made an easy supper before sinking back into the bed exhausted. At least these doctor visits are covered, and Single Care helped more than insurance with meds. Goddess bless SingleCare, is all I can say. They've saved my wallet many times in the last 2 years. But on top of the $800 international phone call he made to his brother last month that shocked the hell out of me, I still have to come up with an extra $800 because of the split payment I made to AT&T, and now a hospital bill that is just as much.

On top of that, I worry trump will just blow off the rest of the government departments in the govt shutdown and pocket our SS as his own "pocket money." To say I don't trust him is an understatement. I know the stress of the worry isn't helping me get well, and worrying about this interminably long time between time of treatment and time of invoicing with hospitals doesn't help, either. If I can do well to remember to take my meds and remind him to take his, how the heck am I suppose to keep up with THEIR bookkeeping????

The R's can wallow in their shit all they want, but they keep smearing us with it, and we can't wipe it off as easily. Although I honestly feel alone in my situation with hubby... with no help coming from anywhere... I know enough to know that there are others out there just as bad, just as shocked, and even more worse off than I am. I dearly wish there was an organization created and run by those at least approaching elderly status that operates like a commune, where we take care of each other instead of being just warehoused until death. And no one is completely alone with confronted with confounding invoices and notices like this.

appeal that unexpected medical bill, sometimes they won't pay up until you hassle them.....if you should find you do owe them the $400 and you don't have it all, send them something, say, 20 bucks......

have you had a pneumonia shot? highly advised

keep in contact with us here on DU, we care

Usually get the pneumonia in October. With my grandson working with preschool kids, I feel like we need all the vaxes we can get to keep us safe!

When I went back to get my meds, the pharmacist was most concerned and asked if I had any worries it was because of either of the vaxes we got. I told him 'no... this is 100% on the grandson and his job!" He thanked me and was visibly relieved. I think they get a lot of hassle about vaxes people get and the conditions that get blamed on them.

Thanks for the thoughts on the billing... I'm going to try to read it tomorrow and see if I can make heads or tails out of it. Grandson got got kinked for $672.00 this month for an ER due to his pneumonia. They were suppose to be taking out $67.20 each month. I told him to call, but today was a down day for me, so I haven't followed up. Still not well enough to deal with all the crap.