We need healthcare reform.
We have been dealing with health issues for our daughter for over a year. She suffers with daily headaches, balance and dizziness issues, and moderate hearing loss.
We have seen our regular doctor, ear-nose-throat specialists, a pediatric neurologist, a pediatric endocrinologist, a chiropractor and functional neurological chiropractors in Minnesota and near Chicago. We have had blood tests, ultrasounds, scans and numerous other tests. We have been to Chicago three times to receive specialized therapy.
Throughout all of this, my daughter's insurance companies have paid very little.
Our first problem came after we were referred to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. We were told an out-of-network doctor could not make a referral to another out-of-network provider. So, in order to see the pediatric neurologist at Mayo Clinic, we switched to an insurance plan in which the referring doctor was considered in-network. We went to see the neurologist and have some testing done at Mayo Clinic. We now have a bill for over $14,000 and insurance didn’t pay any of it.
Later, after other medical appointments and tests and insurance not paying anything, we were told the new insurance was a preventative plan only. Mind you, they were told our situation when we switched.
We recently had her hearing checked, and she has moderate hearing loss in her right ear. Her doctor feels it is an inner-ear issue, but it is something that can be fixed with surgery. Since her old insurance plan paid for nothing associated with her previous surgeries, appointments and testing, her dad looked into new insurance. He asked during this time about this surgery and if it would be covered. The insurance company told him it would, and we were all set for her to have surgery June 7. The day before surgery, we got a phone call from the hospital and doctor's office stating insurance would not cover this due to it being a pre-existing condition.
The only options we were given were to make a down payment to the hospital and doctor’s office or wait until November when it’s open enrollment. The hospital required a payment of $18,000 toward the approximately $23,000 surgery. How do they think we have that kind of money just sitting around?
My daughter's dad and I work a combined five jobs to try to provide for our children. I think it’s ridiculous that working middle- class families can not afford decent insurance or have more reasonable insurance options. We literally have tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills due to poor coverage and non-affordable quality insurance.
I am asking, actually pleading, for something to be done with private insurance. We are the epitome of middle working class, and it’s frustrating to work hard and try to provide for your children and their health, and this is what we get.
I am asking for others in similar situations with their insurance to please contact our state representatives. We need to let them know that we need better and more affordable insurance options.
Stefany Butler
Litchfield
