Tuesday, December 30, 2008

I can't afford my autistic kids

Can someone please explain to me why Children's Hospital audiology (hearing, right?) cost me 500.00 for Meghan to have a hearing test? I really want to know. Is it because they are highly regarded professionals in the world of all things that hear? Or is it because Meghan is autistic and, therefore, costs more?... or is it because they want to rob me blind (and now I'll have to see one of their ophthalmologists, too) and since Meghan goes to these appointments with her school, hmmm ...

What's really interesting and has inspired me to open a bottle of wine and start gulping is that the first test was inconclusive and they want to do annooooooother teeessssst! Sure they do! At 500 bucks a pop, I would want Meghan to have another one too... and maybe a third, and a fourth... hell, why not have her visit every month!!! Or perhaps I just need to change my career? So what does it take to become certified in ringing some bells in various tones???

I'm hearing they rake in the dough!!

This is second to the "ten minute" neurologist at 800.00... Really, that actually happened! Is it me? Do people see me coming and then charge me 100 bucks a minute?? I don't charge 100 bucks a minute, do you?

Or is it that when doctors hear "autism," their price automatically triples ... Is autism just a secret code word for "goldmine?" I'm wondering as I'm getting ripped off.

Or maybe I'm not? You tell me?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is absurdly high! In addition to high costs, I've found that regular pediatricians want nothing to do with Nigel beyond prescribing antibiotics. We had to go through a three-month-long hoop-jumping production just to get him on Zoloft. It's ridiculous.

In spite of the big check you had to write, I hope you have a Happy New Year!

Em said...

Wow...it is insanely expensive. And we can identify. The money we've spent on therapists, doctors, medications, etc would stun the average parent. But not you. You know exactly what it costs. And insurance turns its head the other way.

Holly said...

Oh, Em you said it well! Insurance turns its "ugly" head. How many times do I have to talk to those insurance reps and they always say (as I want to cry) is there anything else I can do for you today, Mrs. Collins?? And I want to say, yeah, pay my bill--why do I have health insurance? But then they say, well have a nice day!!!


Have a nice 2009!!!!!

Maddy said...

Blimey! I thought we were being riffled by the psychiatrist at $650 an hour.

Then there's all the mundane extra expenses - our drier just bust - we get through one a year probably because we do the average families' 10 years of laundry all in one year.

We're so behind in our medical insurance claims to as there's little motivation to complete all the paperwork since AT BEST they only pay out 65% usually a year after the claim.....I detect a ramble, I'll finish now.
Best wishes

Anonymous said...

Many, many parents that I know are paying thousands upon thousands of dollars per month out of their own pocket for ABA, medical, speech, OT, PT and so on due to the fact their districts and insurance don't cover so much of what the children need. Many, many of these parents are broke and having their homes foreclosed upon just so their kids can get appropriate therapy. You are getting a $250,000(plus)education fully funded for your daughter by your district and you have the nerve to complain about a hearing bill and seem insulted that you have to pay this? Are you kidding me? I think you are the one who is insulting to many other parents.

Holly said...

My point was that hearing test for 500.00 seems a little outrageous to me that is all. I too had to pay for therapies for both my kids—I have another autistic child that needs therapies still and pay for his needs. Incidentally, I too have lots of bills and a growing second mortgage in order to have paid and pay for these therapies and doctors for both my kids if insurance doesn’t cover. And Meghan is still a clothes ripper, even at school, and I have to pay for her new wardrobe... I am lucky to have my daughter in a program funded by our school distinct and the state because of her severity. I would be luckier if she wasn’t a harm to herself and to others (and wasnt kicked out of every other school program) and she could be home...

Do you know what it's like to be told that you daughter should be confined to a state hospital--yeah, the state should be paying for her 24/7 services.

And hospitals/doctors shouldn't be ripping people off because of it.

Anonymous said...

It's a well known fact that NECC is completely "in bed" with Children's. Parents complain about this all the time. Get used to getting ripped off, particularly if they are bringing her over there. This is a dirty industry, It's all about money-don't be fooled.