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r/BabyBumps•
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ProTip: keep every bill, receipt, statement, and copay record you receive.

My son was born in September and I've had to figure out probably four different bills who are claiming we don't have insurance and are being sent to collections. Each one of these bills are for something that our OB office sent out with our name misspelled- like the ultrasound at the imaging center, two different labs, and the epidural. So keep tabs on everything and don't stress about it.

Edit: misspelling

Posted Jan 13, 2016, 7:21 PM UTC · edited

5312
kiwimangoes#2 due April 12 - 37 - HELLP w/ 1st•

I'd like to add that you might want to keep records for a good while too! If you've got a file cabinet for your personal records, just make another folder and plop in anything baby/medical related.

My daughter was a preemie, and like many preemies had jaundice. She was discharged with a bili-blanket to continue light therapy at home. I suppose that our insurances gave the medical supply company the runaround for a good long time, because we finally got a copay bill from them over a year later.

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BumpQuestionsOPBorn Sept 8 15•

Absolutely. Keep EVERYTHING.

4
KarazahnApril 2016•

This is indeed a PROtip and was a hard lesson for us to learn. We had insurance with our first that switched over to a new company a month before the birth. I updated everyone. Well, evidently the anesthesiologist was given my old information and sent me to collections. Talking to his billing department was like talking to a brick wall. Finally got it cleared up after I complained to my OB's billing department and someone there took an interest and figured out where the communication break down happened. It can be a less exciting side of being a new parent in America.

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BumpQuestionsOPBorn Sept 8 15•

I was on my parents' insurance at the time of the birth and my son had to be on a plan with my husband. It was ridiculous explaining this to the hospital.

4
eliza-jayFTM - Xander - 1/12/16•

I still have an outstanding lab bill for $800+ that I'm trying to get sorted out because my first OB sent them the wrong information. I've corrected it twice now and my insurance is still saying "member not found" but they've paid bills from before and after this one!

I HATE Quest Diagnostics for this! You can NEVER get someone on the phone to resolve it!

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BumpQuestionsOPBorn Sept 8 15•

If you have Cigna they will do a 3 way call with you to resolve it. We ended up having to do that with one bill. I don't want to be spending my time messing with billing while my kid naps, I want to be napping too, eating, or showering. NOT listening to hold music.

3
eliza-jayFTM - Xander - 1/12/16•

No such luck, Blue Cross/Blue Shield. I've tried calling twice already but had to hang up eventually when I ran out of time waiting on hold!

At some point I'll try again... just haven't been up to it the past few weeks.

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virtuespleaTeam Blue! #3 due 7/2•

BCBS does offer Patient Advocates who will do the talking for you. You need to request one and you fill out a form authorizing your providers to talk to the PA, then they can do the go-between.

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eliza-jayFTM - Xander - 1/12/16•

You have to be able to get them on the phone first though :-/

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Bsketbalgrl101Team Blue! june 1 2016•

I got a bill for $5,000 after I had my son . The lady tryed to say that was my deductible and I said no my deductible is $500 . She looked again , nope the hospital didn't even bill the insurance.

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BumpQuestionsOPBorn Sept 8 15•

UGH!! Hope you don't have this problem this time around.

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Bsketbalgrl101Team Blue! june 1 2016•

New insurance and different hospital so I hope not .

1