Fallen on hard times again :(

[Nikki88]

My family and I could use some prayers we have had a bout of bad luck for some time now. We’ve been getting taken advantage of because of our financial situation. A few months after my graduation our then landlord came to the door, and told us we had two months to find another place to live because they weren’t going to be renewing our lease. This eventually resulted in us getting ripped off by our now current landlord because she knew we were desperate to find a place on such short notice. This led her to price gouge us for her rundown apartment that’s probably only worth half the rent that we actually pay for it but we had no choice at the time. The apartment has had continuous problems we’ve been unable to get her to fix because she supposedly is strapped for cash and doesn’t want to have to pay to fix anything. On top of that my mother suffered a spinal injury a few years ago, and has been in chronic pain ever since despite surgery attempts. So far she doesn’t qualify for disability and I’ve seen doctors trying to price gouge her as well and bury her in debt. She had finally found another pain management doctor who would even see her, and when she asked for the records from the old doctor’s office they told her it would cost her $500 to get the records from them which was probably bs and regardless she couldn’t afford them anyway. Previous to all this me and my mother got left with nothing after my parents’ divorce as my father got to keep everything because he was the bread winner and had the money to afford a lawyer. She simply wanted to leave her abusive husband so she just dropped everything and let him have his way and everything he wanted. I wish I could say that was all of it but it’s not even half the story. I’ve become jaded due to my experiences with nasty people, and the constant being taken advantage of by those more fortunate. It’s become hard for me to believe in any celestial over care at this point since we never seem to catch a break, or when we do it’s usually immediately followed by something else happening. I’ve even gone on to developed an extreme anger problem of late from all these experiences, and it’s hard for me to believe in or trust in god now because I have to watch all my cousins around my age have their perfect easy flowing lives. Then I look at mine and wonder why god seems to hate and have it out for me so much more than them.

Anyway, sorry for the rant my mother got another $9000 bill from the doctor today, as well as, them quoting her the $500 for her records alone. I know its selfish but i feel pretty hopeless since this could end up effecting a great opportunity I had a chance at but may now end up in the gutter because some already rich greedy men want more.

Thanks for listening and thanks in advance for any prayers my family and I receive. Also for this being a rant and kind of long... I've just finally reached my wits end.

-Nikki

[Sandy]

Hi Nikki,
You rant as much as you want to, sweetie. I would be too. As I am reading this I need to leave to drive George to the pathology for a blood test, but we will be back a little later. George and I will say some prayers along the way for your family's welfare. It sounds to me like you all deserve a break. Talk to you a little later.
Love you,
Sandy

[Sandy]

Hi Nikki,
The 500 dollar fee your mom’s doctor charged for your mom’s medical records is ridiculously high. I decided to look online to find some information about these kinds of fees and found this official gov site, The US Department of Health and Human Services that may offer you some information and solution. Please look over the information there in regards to the trouble you have had with this doctor and determine if you have a legitimate right to file a complaint. You may also want to see if there is a local health and human Services office in your town or community.

http://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individual ... l-records/

I’m not sure but it sounds as if what this doctor’s office is doing is illegal in the United States. Please check out this page too which can be accessed as well from the first PDF, but I wanted to make sure you saw and read this. http://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ ... ssmemo.pdf

As far as the bill a neighbour of ours had a large medical bill she could not afford to pay at once and so she gave them S 10.00 a month or something like that to show good faith and they could not turn her into a collection agency as she was making an attempt to make payment. Something to check into.

But you do have rights to your records and the only charge they can give you is the cost of copying and mailing. There are videos towards the end of the second PDF that explains how you can file a complaint if you feel your rights have been violated.

Try not to worry. Investigate everything and know what your rights are and then stand up for yourself with action of some sort okay?
Somehow even with all of this I know God has a plan for you and your family. That isn’t very comforting but perhaps tomorrow or the next day or the next you will see a ray of sunshine again. I think the world of you Nikki and even though I don’t know you very well, I have so appreciated your prayer requests for those you love and people you pass by over the years. You have a loving heart and so I think if someone like me who lives halfway around the world can love you, how much more must the Creator of us all, who knows every little thing about you. I want you to succeed and be happy more than anything. I hope you don’t mind if I continue to pray for you guys and who knows when you least expect it maybe just maybe something wonderful will come along that will change everything. You certainly deserve it... Believe that, okay? You deserve this and sooooo much more. (((((HUGS)))))

God bless you always,
Love,
Sandy

[Nikki88]

Hi Sandy

I mentioned the information you sent me to my mom and she said that the doctors office was estimating it would cost them 1$ per page to copy and mail her records. In other words they were claiming the $500 as "legal" copy and mailing fees. Although I'm sure the page count, and price are still exaggerated there's no way for us to know for sure and not much we can do about it. I'm afraid that's just how it is in the U.S. right now especially the state i live in, but she decided not to pay them and is instead trying to get older incomplete records from another doctor.

Anyway, thanks for the prayers and all the nice things you always have to say. I'm really not as loving or nice as i seem I've turned into quite the anger woman these days but i hope someday ill heal and live up to your nice comments. I really hope something wonderful comes along and changes everything for the better for once. I desperately just want to have a stable, happy, and safe living environment for a change and for things to fall into place for once instead of falling apart constantly .

Thanks again for all your help and i hope Georgia is feeling better!

Lots of Love

Nikki

[George]

Hi there Nikki88,

I can't imagine $9000 being anywhere near the correct charges, either.

better have that checked out, too.

Love you . . .
George

[Nikki88]

Hi George,

I'm afraid that bill probably is accurate. Although I'm not sure what it's for yet that bill came from the specialist that did my moms surgery, and she didn't have insurance at the time nor does she have it right now so that's probably why it's as high as it is. I think she is supposed to apply for insurance soon but i don't think that will help her previous bills as far as i know.

Also, sorry i spelled your name wrong in the previous post out of an old habit from living in that state.

[Sandy]

Nikki, is it okay if I talk to a doctor friend of ours in MN about what your mom has experienced with this bill ? With her being a doctor maybe she will have some answers or suggestions. She will at least know if that huge copying bill is reasonable. Also, is it possible that the doctor's office could send the records via a secure file through the internet. I believe that was mentioned on the Health and human Services site too. I would think that would be a bit cheaper.

Anyway, thanks for the prayers and all the nice things you always have to say. I'm really not as loving or nice as i seem I've turned into quite the anger woman these days but i hope someday ill heal and live up to your nice comments. I really hope something wonderful comes along and changes everything for the better for once. I desperately just want to have a stable, happy, and safe living environment for a change and for things to fall into place for once instead of falling apart constantly .

You are just a little disilussioned right now... that does not change who you are in your heart center. Despite your heart ache right now you are asking about George and hoping he is feeling better... That is the way you are... underneath of all your own troubles you want others to be happy healthy.
You are allowed to feel angry and vent. Life can be tough and pretending to be happy doesn't cut it, eh? But sometimes talking about it and venting takes a little of the pressure off for awhile. So lean on me anytime you want and vent to your heart's content.
Hang in there sweetie and know that a lot of people care care about you. We are rooting for you!
hugs,
Sandy

[Nikki88]

Hi Sandy,

Sure you can talk to your doctor friend in MN about the bill we were quoted. I did ask my mom about requesting an electronic copy but she's stubborn, and just said after they quoted her the $500 she was furious dropped it and went to get older records from her other doctor. As far as I've been able to tell medical document laws vary from state to state but i would like to hear what your friend has to say for my own knowledge.

Thank you so much for all the love and help!

Lots of love ,

Nikki