OT: Follow up on the bat situation

[DawnM]

Ok, we are going to get the rabies shots. I even convinced DH to do it.

The health dept. originally said not to worry about it, but they talked to the CDC and called me back today and said that it is the CDC's recommendation and their strong recommendation that we all go get them. They are even calling me next week to make sure we did it.

So.....here in NC we can only get them from the ER. I am hoping we don't all have to pay a $50 copay each for an ER visit.

Anyway, I know some really felt we should get them, so just letting you know.

Dawn

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Oh you poor thing! I hope the shots go easy. I'll be thinking of you.

 

[Tikicampers]

Oh, I feel so bad for you! I hope it isn't too awful. I think getting the shots is the way to go though. The problem is that once you know you have rabies, it is almost always fatal.

At least you can go get the shots to prevent it. DH was exposed to HIV positive blood at work, and all they could do was give him some medicine that "might" keep him from getting it. For six months we worried that he had contracted it. He had his last test the day after our son was born, and he was clear.

Getting the shots will be bad, but you shouldn't have to worry about it any more.

 

[DawnM]

One problem around here is that rabies shots are ONLY given through the ER initially so we have to pay a $50 co-pay per person for all 5 of us! ARGH!

Then we will have to pay 10% after that.

So, we are looking at about $750 total when all is said and done out of pocket.

I mean, we will pay it, as $750 compared to a person dying is nothing, but I know many areas have the health dept. give it and it ends up being free.

Dawn

 

[dis-happy]

Call the hospital billing administrator and tell him/her what's going on and ask if they can make some allowances on the $50. per visit per person co-pay. I'd say chances are very good that they will help you out. You might even try calling and checking with other hospitals in town. We live in NC too (Charlotte area) and am sorry to hear they have this restriction---sounds kind of crazy to me. But I'm glad to know your family will be safe.

 

[DawnM]

I called several places. I tried Urgent Cares and other ERs. Looks like there isn't a better deal out there. But I will try the hospital administrator.

We are going to Matthews Presbyterian.

dawn

Call the hospital billing administrator and tell him/her what's going on and ask if they can make some allowances on the $50. per visit per person co-pay. I'd say chances are very good that they will help you out. You might even try calling and checking with other hospitals in town. We live in NC too (Charlotte area) and am sorry to hear they have this restriction---sounds kind of crazy to me. But I'm glad to know your family will be safe.

 

[dis-happy]

Oh wow, I didn't realize we were practically neighbors. I'll be having my baby there this September (in fact, I'm headed there tomorrow for an OB appt.---should I stop by and see you at the ER?). I do like that ER...my dd had her arm x-rayed there once and everyone was very, very nice. Also, to give you hope, I've had insurance issues with this pg. and have been able to negotiate lower fees on several fronts (peri-natalogist, certain lab tests). You never know unless you ask and it never hurts to ask. Wishing you the best!!!

 

[DawnM]

Thanks. We were over there yesterday. My baby had a post-op visit. His surgery was done there.

Dawn

Oh wow, I didn't realize we were practically neighbors. I'll be having my baby there this September (in fact, I'm headed there tomorrow for an OB appt.---should I stop by and see you at the ER?). I do like that ER...my dd had her arm x-rayed there once and everyone was very, very nice. Also, to give you hope, I've had insurance issues with this pg. and have been able to negotiate lower fees on several fronts (peri-natalogist, certain lab tests). You never know unless you ask and it never hurts to ask. Wishing you the best!!!

 

[MomPlanner22]

Dawn, I do employee benefit consulting professionally so I wanted to give you a suggestion to save you the $750.

I would check with your health care plan (who ever carries your prescription drug coverage. It may be under your medical or may be carved out seperately). Typically injectable drugs are handled by an outside contractor.

I would explain your situation and find out if you can get the rabies injection ordered from the "injectables vendor" of your healthcare plan and then have them administered by your family physician. You would likely still have to pay your Rx copay and maybe an OV copay to the doctor but I suspect that getting enough rabies serum for your family would be less than $50 each.

Chances are that if they will cover it, your doctor will need to order the serum for you.

Hopefully this provides you with another option. So sorry to hear your family has to have rabies injections. I imagine there is quite a story there!

 

[DawnM]

Thank you. Our problem at this time is that we are running out of time. We have to get the injections by Monday and it is already Friday. I called my doctor and they only have an answering service that gets back to you. Last time I called they got back to me the following day, which in this case would be Monday.

GRRRR!!!!

Dawn

Dawn, I do employee benefit consulting professionally so I wanted to give you a suggestion to save you the $750.

I would check with your health care plan (who ever carries your prescription drug coverage. It may be under your medical or may be carved out seperately). Typically injectable drugs are handled by an outside contractor.

I would explain your situation and find out if you can get the rabies injection ordered from the "injectables vendor" of your healthcare plan and then have them administered by your family physician. You would likely still have to pay your Rx copay and maybe an OV copay to the doctor but I suspect that getting enough rabies serum for your family would be less than $50 each.

Chances are that if they will cover it, your doctor will need to order the serum for you.

Hopefully this provides you with another option. So sorry to hear your family has to have rabies injections. I imagine there is quite a story there!

 

[Belle1962]

Did you ask the Health Dept if they would give them?

 

[blessedby3]

Yikes this sounds scary!! Did you all get bitten? I was looking for your first thread, but cant find it. Anyone have the link? Gosh, I hope everyone gets the shots they need. Sorry your family has to go through this.

 

[DawnM]

Yes, they are the first people I called.

Dawn

Did you ask the Health Dept if they would give them?

 

[DawnM]

Ok, we got our shots. Today was the globulin (3 of them in the rear-they sting!) and then our first rabies vaccine in the arm.

Not overly bad.

Dawn

 

[meandtheguys2]

I'm glad you survived the first round. And so sorry you have to deal with this!

 

[DawnM]

I tried this route too. Family doc says he can't even order it. In NC it is highly regulated and can ONLY be administered at the ER.

Why do they make it so hard and expensive????

Dawn

Dawn, I do employee benefit consulting professionally so I wanted to give you a suggestion to save you the $750.

I would check with your health care plan (who ever carries your prescription drug coverage. It may be under your medical or may be carved out seperately). Typically injectable drugs are handled by an outside contractor.

I would explain your situation and find out if you can get the rabies injection ordered from the "injectables vendor" of your healthcare plan and then have them administered by your family physician. You would likely still have to pay your Rx copay and maybe an OV copay to the doctor but I suspect that getting enough rabies serum for your family would be less than $50 each.

Chances are that if they will cover it, your doctor will need to order the serum for you.

Hopefully this provides you with another option. So sorry to hear your family has to have rabies injections. I imagine there is quite a story there!