So, after spending close to $60k on moving countries, buying appliances and a (used) car, getting pregnant via IVF, then finding out that my OB's charge for an uncomplicated vaginal delivery is $3300, it occurred to me that perhaps I ought to find out what the hospital is going to charge me for the same. I should add that there's a mandatory 48 hour stay at my local hospital.
Being internet savvy, I of course took the question to the mailing list I'm on.
$12000
$13000
$35000 (twins)
~pauses to let information sink in~
Yeah, that was pretty much my reaction, too. And those were for regular births, no c-sections, no complications. I've called the hospital to see what it's going to cost, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to apply for their low-income help plan.
I feel stupid because I never thought birth would be so expensive. Color me clueless, I guess.
In a related matter, remember when I applied for Catamount Health Insurance, Vermont's low-income health plan? I think I told you that I got a letter back requesting monies of $750 per month for all three of us, right? Well. I called the state today to enquire as to why I, an unemployed woman who makes far below (oh, that's right, that would be $0 income per month) $41K per year (the limit for a family of 3 to have earned)(or something along those lines, I don't do math and I'm easily confused), should pay so much and was told, Oh, we have no idea what you're talking about because you're not in our system.
Hmm. Not in the system...I guess I should be glad that I didn't panic and send a check in, eh? Nonetheless, now I can apply for Dr Dynasaur and WIC (I never thought I'd be applying for either) as the woman I spoke to previously said that all the information I'd learned previously was incorrect. We shall see.
~*~
HEALTH:
Statins For Seniors - mm, maybe not so much.
The Diet Pushers - LA Weight Loss a-member them? Oh how the mighty have fallen...here's Sandy's take.
NYT and Firbomyalgia - another rant from BABble
Shame - the things we don't do because we're ashamed...
You're Fat, See A Dietician! - but all I wanted was some Birth Control...?
Eat Something! - please!
Pop That Pill - drug trials and who watches them, Enhance Trial Results
I Knew Something Was Wrong - or, why you should always pay attention to your gut.
Obesity: The New Lifestyle Choice - *headdesk*
Dr Robert Jarvik, Pitchman - all I know is that he looks sleazy. The fact that he's never actually been a practicing physician kinda leads me to wonder why he's giving medical advice...
Who's Your Daddy Sponsor? - I sense many money making opportunities in the name of the Obesity Crisis.
Anorexia and Target Weights - I'm getting an inkling as to how anorexics must feel when being forced to eat when they don't want to given my 'fabulous' new diet now that I'm borderline for gestational diabetes.
One Twin Died, But I Still Birthed Twins - so. un. fair.
I Surrendered To Obesity! - shocking tales from the Crypt.
Cocoa As A Cough Supressant - I'd love to try this. Heh.
NEWS/POLITICS/SOCIAL COMMENTARY:
Abortions Affect Men Too - another comment here, and even more about those selfish sluts.
"In the end, Aubert says his moral objection to abortion always wins. If he could go back in time, he would try to save the babies.
But would his long-ago girlfriends agree? Or might they also consider the abortions a choice that set them on a better path?
Aubert looks startled. "I never really thought about it for the woman," he says slowly."
From Pro-Life to Pro-Choice - yes, it's not a black and white issue at all, and honestly, I think we all pretty much agree on the horribleness of it, and the desire for something better, right?
Dear Internet Porn - Heh.
"Liberal Fascism" - anyone see this guy on The Daily Show last night? I have no idea wtf he was going on about, do you?
Deadly Echoes - Cricket, DO NOT READ THIS - and a comment.
Reduced Legal Capacity? - raped while drunk? At home? In a dark alley? It's still all your fault.
Self-Defense Isn't Enough - of course rapists will teach the courses too...
I Was A Gang Leader - now that's what I call doing your research!
It's Stupid's Economy - ayup.
Permission To Look - at large bodied men (nws?)
Not Born Equal - the insidious effects of American Slavery
Anatomy Of A Smuchmortion - Susie Bright's take on Juno, Knocked Up, etc, with spoilers.
Did The Earth Just Move For You?- no, it was just indigestion. Or something.
Teeny Weeny Male Bikinis - one man's perspective
The Farmer's Market Effect - NYT discovers poor people will eat fresh food if given the opportunity
Impossibly Beautiful - my thoughts exactly. And how sad is that?
Voters Don't Need No Stinking Rights - certainly not in Indiana
Send In The Clowns - no, don't. Really, it's okay. Experts agree! As do I.
Blowback - or, what happens when things aren't thought through
A Black President? - we are rather more used to the idea than we realize.
Recession? What Recession? - um, duh.
RELIGION:
The Virginity Dialogues - female sexuality in Egypt. An enlightening read.
Don't Believe In God? - no school Christmas party for you! Religious Education is not a mandatory class in the UK...
America, The Christian - except for all the non-Christians
Kosher and Halal Vitamins - in Canada, of course, but possible source for pre-natals?
COOL STUFF:
2007 Bulwer-Lytton Contest Winners - no drinking or eating while reading. And pee first.
FOOD PORN:
Thai Iced Tea - so. yummy.
Chai Recipes - the ones I've tried from my Indian cookbooks* don't agree with me, alas, but maybe one of these will
Rustic Cabbage Soup - need to buy a cabbage immediately.
WTFF?:
What Do People Really Know About Science - Be afraid. Very afraid. Especially of the people who believe the sun revolves around the Earth. I guess The View's Sherri Shepherd is more indicative of the audience than we'd like to believe...
Tom Cruise: The Book - unsubstantiated, of course, but still fun to read.
~*~
In tomorrow's post, I shall rant about my mother and her seeming inability to understand anything I say when it comes to a) money, b) taxes, c) marriage and visa, and finally, c) Mr Oro.
I'm sure you're all looking forward to that.
Oro out.
* I've got about 5 cookbooks on Indian cooking, but I highly recommend Julie Sahni's book - it explains a lot and takes the fear out of the sight of all those spices. 1001 Indian Recipes or some title similar is fabu, but I can't find it on amazon at the moment.
Thai iced tea FTW. Seriously that stuff upsets my whole body but it is so good.
Posted by: Shannon | January 17, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Wow I can't believe how expensive it is to have a baby!! That seems crazy!
Perhaps you could come and visit me in Canada right around the time of your due date...the weather's lovely this time of year...
Posted by: Hilary (The Trying Game) | January 18, 2008 at 09:41 AM
As a crude comparison to how much it costs with insurance...
My dad always used to joke that I cost $124. When I was pregnant, he joked how much J would cost. We had military insurance, but didn't use a military hospital. Believe it or not, J cost $10 less than I did and it was 35 years later.
I hope you're able to figure something out. I think a 48 hr stay is too long if you're not up for affording it.
Thanks for the heads up to not read the one. I have been reading the commentary about the guy who died in Iraq, but left a final blog entry. I really liked what he said.
Posted by: Cricket | January 19, 2008 at 08:35 PM
very complete article, congrats
Posted by: Anonymous Tarot | January 20, 2008 at 06:25 AM