[Daonnachd]

As some of you will recall, I have been getting ECT since 2015. Yet, no, this post is not about holes in the memory. I'm not as concerned about that cost as I am about the finances.
The hospital where I have been getting my treatments had me in their patient financial assistance programme so I was forgiven the regular patient costs. Now, completely unexpected, I get two different statements demanding payment of $1,742 by 2 June, 2019.
So this makes me think however I manage to negociate this cost right now, I should also quit ECT despite the good it is doing me.
Do you think I should quit getting the treatments? Or is there another solution I'm not seeing?

[Victoria'smom]

I think stopping ECT would be harmful. Have you called and talked to them to see if there's anything you can do? What does your family think?

[Daonnachd]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

I think stopping ECT would be harmful. Have you called and talked to them to see if there's anything you can do? What does your family think?

You're right. Stopping would definitely be a bad idea. I opened the letters after the hospital's patient financial services department closed, so I wrote an email. We'll see how that does. I haven't mentioned the idea of stopping to my wife.

[Victoria'smom]

Are you able to talk to a therapist about it?

[speckofdust]

Originally Posted by Daonnachd

As some of you will recall, I have been getting ECT since 2015. Yet, no, this post is not about holes in the memory. I'm not as concerned about that cost as I am about the finances.
The hospital where I have been getting my treatments had me in their patient financial assistance programme so I was forgiven the regular patient costs. Now, completely unexpected, I get two different statements demanding payment of $1,742 by 2 June, 2019.
So this makes me think however I manage to negociate this cost right now, I should also quit ECT despite the good it is doing me.
Do you think I should quit getting the treatments? Or is there another solution I'm not seeing?

Sincerely, I hope the hospital will work something out with you on the billing! Stating the obvious here - but it totally sucks to know there is a procedure and/or treatment that is helping, but the financial costs make it difficult or impossible to afford.

[Daonnachd]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Are you able to talk to a therapist about it?

I meet with my therapist next Wednesday.

[Daonnachd]

Originally Posted by speckofdust

Sincerely, I hope the hospital will work something out with you on the billing! Stating the obvious here - but it totally sucks to know there is a procedure and/or treatment that is helping, but the financial costs make it difficult or impossible to afford.

It really sucks considering how huge the difference is that ECT makes for me.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Most hospitals have patient assistance programs. The qualifications vary but even if you don't qualify apply and send a letter explaining you need this treatment monthly and are unable to afford your co-pay so are requesting an exemption. It can't hurt and may well help. Most hospitals hate the idea that someone isn't getting needed treatment and you have a fairly unusual situation.

[Sunflower123]

I definitely think you should continue ECT since it is helping you so much. It was a good idea sending an email since they had already closed. You may have to follow up with a call to plead your case. My fingers are crossed that they work with you on this.

[Daonnachd]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

Most hospitals have patient assistance programs. The qualifications vary but even if you don't qualify apply and send a letter explaining you need this treatment monthly and are unable to afford your co-pay so are requesting an exemption. It can't hurt and may well help. Most hospitals hate the idea that someone isn't getting needed treatment and you have a fairly unusual situation.

That's part of what shocked me. I've been enrolled in their patient assistance plan since 2015.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Do they make you renew occasionally? I had to when I was on patient assistance and it was usually a bit of a pain (although much easier than Medicaid was when I had that). I had to renew every 3 months just as policy.

[Daonnachd]

Originally Posted by Jennifer 1967

I definitely think you should continue ECT since it is helping you so much. It was a good idea sending an email since they had already closed. You may have to follow up with a call to plead your case. My fingers are crossed that they work with you on this.

Yeah, the thought of ceasing ECT terrifies me. I know how bad I get since meds don't really work for me. You all know how bad it gets without effective meds. The ECT has been the only thing keeping me here these past four years. ...or keeping me out of the psych ward.

[Daonnachd]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

Do they make you renew occasionally? I had to when I was on patient assistance and it was usually a bit of a pain (although much easier than Medicaid was when I had that). I had to renew every 3 months just as policy.

Yeah, I have had to renew every year. I can't imagine how frustrating it must've been doing it every 3 months. I'm sure you wanted to scream, "Nothing has changed. Just let things stand."

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Usually I could just copy the prior 3 months information. But yes, it was annoying. Yet so worth it. I didn't qualify for full Medicaid and needed major surgery while uninsured and they ate the entire cost so I figured if they wanted paperwork they could have paperwork. At least that's my memory that I'm sure makes me look better than I was .

Daonnachd, I hope the bill is just a mistake. If not, maybe they could at least allow a payment plan. As others wrote, do get to the bottom of this so you know what's happening and what to expect. It seems to me if ECT has been your winning treatment, in a respect, that you should be allowed to continue with it.

I have no advice, but I'm sorry you have to go through this. I sincerely hope you're able to settle the issue with the hospital and/or your insurance company.

I agree with the others that you shouldn't quit ECT if it works for you and meds don't.

I just wish mental health was taken more seriously because many people with mental health conditions can't afford the treatment they need. I just think it's ridiculous that insurance companies will cover a prescription Tylenol, but they may not cover a cheap antidepressant. Goes to show you how *** backwards things are.

I don't have any advice to add, but wanted to let you know I'm rooting for you that this gets resolved somehow.

could just be a glitch in their billing program. go talk to them. if indeed you have to pay work out a plan..even if you pay $10/month they can't do anything about it....if that is what you can afford....it might be something as simple as you need to resign a form or something. sometimes policies change and things get caught in the middle.

if ect is working don't stop it, just go to the business office and talk with them. if after all these years you just got this one rogue bill to me it seems like a mistake or policy change. but like I said if all you can pay/month is something tiny, they can't really do anything about it. pay it off even if it takes a million years....trust me, been doing that with mine.

[Unrigged64072835]

That’s happened to me a few times where the bill was due but insurance was slow paying it. Nothing like a $7k bill popping out of nowhere! I immediately called billing and it was straightened out.

[Daonnachd]

Originally Posted by Fharraige

That’s happened to me a few times where the bill was due but insurance was slow paying it. Nothing like a $7k bill popping out of nowhere! I immediately called billing and it was straightened out.

Yeah, I'm hoping Monday morning to make some progress on sorting it all.

I want to thank all of you for weighing in and sharing your own experiences, perspectives, and solutions. Not everyone has been pleasant in discussing this.

[Moose72]

Daonnachd, is it maybe a statement of benefits? I got one of those that really looked like a bill for about 7 k from last summer when I was hospitalized for Delirium.

[Daonnachd]

Originally Posted by Moose72

Daonnachd, is it maybe a statement of benefits? I got one of those that really looked like a bill for about 7 k from last summer when I was hospitalized for Delirium.

I wish it were. No, it's definitely a bill.