WARNING *UPDATED*

If you have a deductible plan like I do, be prepared. I got a call this afternoon from PB saying..if I didn't pay them $1300 dollars by Thursday at 10:00 they would cancel my Friday surgery and reschedule at the end of the year. Not once did they mention the payment prior to today.

I called Kaiser several time in the last month, and each time I was told I would have to pay a small portion of my deduct able to the HOSPITAL (around $500 which is my hospital inpatient co-pay) and I would be billed for the rest. Then Kaiser would let me make payments.

I called again today (TUES) to the Kaiser deducible department and was told that I would be billed for the services through Kaiser and should never be contacted by the doctors office directly. So, I called positive choice and was connected with Dr. Lot. She said the same thing.

Well, BEWARE! None of that is true. I was called later by Dr. Lot (after she talked to PB) and because it is considered an elective surgery, all deductibles have to paid before surgery to the surgeon, or you are canceled. When I asked PB why they waited til TWO DAYS before surgery to call and inform me of this, the response was "we have a lot of patients, and we do our best." No apology. They said they are going to start putting in the pre-surgery packet and also mention it at the orientation. UMM..or maybe call two weeks ahead or tell patients when they call to schedule the date ....hello PB...get your **** together. They make enough money... hire an extra person. I'd apply for the job!

So today was tears and drama. I left work early because I was balling my eyes out. It seems like I just can't catch a break these days. Dispare swallowed up my perfect life, chewed it up, and spit it out, and now it's my new crappy life. I did sell my boat, but my husband used the boat money to keep his business running. Had I know earlier about the $1300 dollars, I would have saved some boat money, or been more aggressive in selling my other stuff.

BUT there is a happy ending. My best Friend in the whole wide world my super duper spectacular angel of a person, lent me the money. THANK YOU PUMKINDOODLE! YOU ARE TRULY A LIFE SAVER. I owe u big time (not just the loan repayment), but I really owe you!

I'm gonna go hide in my closet for the next two days, so nothing else can go wrong before surgery.

Becca 

oh my......I can understand your sadness. It's like so many things....nothing can/will change until someone gets really hurt or shaken up. I am so glad for your friend that stepped in to help......I know you'll be ok, though. You are a strong and smart femme. Sending my love and support:)Deanna

Oh ****! I think I need to call through and see what my contributions will have to be. I have really good Kaiser coverage from working with the County, but I should still double check and call PB.

Sorry you had to go through that girl, and thank you to your friend Pumkindoodle for her wonderful generosity. What a great friend.

Hang in there Becca, you're almost there.

Glamis girl I would never let you miss this for the world we have been friends way to long and you have worked way to hard to get to this point. I'm just glad I was able to help you. Can't wait so excited for you. Now it's my turn to try out the good ole hospital cot! LOL!
                                                          Pumkindoodle

UPDATE--- So Today (WED) the HOSPITAL called and wanted three of my hospital co-pays before surgery....$500 a day is the Kaiser co pay...equals $1500 dollars. Frickin A. I explained my story to the lady from Mercy Hospital (without tears today, I don't have any left after yesterday) that Kaiser told me they would only ask for one co-pay and bill me the rest. So, I asked to pay only two co-payments instead of three, but I would have to call around and try and borrow the money. While I was talking to my husband about what to do, she called back. She talked to her supervisor and they are going to let me make payments on the whole thing. THANK GAWD!

Moral of the story is, start saving now for all the unforeseen surgery costs. Kaiser doesn't know what the hell they are talking about. If you don't up having to pay anything to anyone before surgery...then you have a head start on new clothes money!

Maybe all this drama is just the Universes way of making sure you are committed to the surgery and that when you finally have it you will really, really appreciate it!  Or you just have had some lousy luck. But you did have a great friend to stand up for you and in the end you prevailed!!!

Hey with all this stuff to toughen you up the surgery and new way of life will be a breeze.

Damn Becca, that sucks about the initial call especially right before surgery, but I'm glad they called back and were happy to work with you.
I did call through to Kaiser myself today to check on my hospital co-pays and such, I guess my coverage is really good through the County of SD. I have a $100 co-pay per admission (not per day). But I do have back up funds just in case they hit me with other hospital costs. So i'm ready for any  surprises they might send my way.

I still think it was a pretty low blow to call you 2 days prior to surgery with that kind of ****

OMG i just got soooooo nervous!!!! I called and it looks like i have to pay 375 for admission I hope thats all !!!!

WOW, what a terrible thing to do to you, & then not even apologize!  Bless your friend & good luck with the surgery!
                    Janet