The hospital called

[PineRidge]

Got a call from Summa Health care yesterday and since we weren't home at the time our answering machine took the message.

There was a pleasant voice asking Mr. Ebner to call the accounts department and they left a name and number of a gal to ask for.

I thought crap, did we miss a payment to the hospital? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

You may remember that a little over a year ago I had many radiation treatments for throat cancer so I figured that maybe there was a foul up in the payment that we send them monthly, which is a portion that our health insurance didn't cover.

My wife gave the hospital a return call while I was finishing up breakfast and when she came back to the kitchen she was crying.

Seems Summa told her that at least once a year the women's auxiliary board chooses one or more patients that are making regular timely payments and pays the remaining portion of their hospital charges. Our name had come up and our hospital debt had been canceled, poof....... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

She also went on to say that a letter from the hospital would be forthcoming to document the phone conversation.

So I ask you all, have you ever heard of anything like this program in your entire life?

You know it's supposed to be 105 degrees here in Ohio today with the heat index but all of a sudden it feels a whole lot like Christmas to me..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

Nothing like good news! Sounds like the old addage of "good things come to good people" rings true again.

I've been dealing with cancer, and it's monumental expenses for the better part of 8 months now. Insurance has picked up almost all of it, but the bills are staggering none-the-less.

Maybe this will allow you to put a bad experience behind you, and replace it with a warm, wonderfull feeling.

 

[millsnhills]

Mike,

Congradulations on both fronts..
The year plus since the treatments and the gift...

I am still waiting for my call from John Deere Credit /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Jeff

 

[DaveNay]

All I can think is "Oh my God!". That is absolutely fantastic for you and your family! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I hope your cancer remains in remission, and you continue to have a wonderful and lucky life!

May I make one suggestion? If it was me, I would donate at least the next couple payments that I would have made to some sort of fund for those people who are not able to make their regular timely payment. As they say...Pay it forward.

Dave

 

[shoppintractors]

That's great news Mike. I'm glad you shared that with us.

A few years ago we had a doctor bill for a surgery my wife had and insurance only paid 50% of what the doctor billed us. We paid faithfully for over a year to the doctor and out of the blue he forgave the rest of the bill. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The angels are looking over you and indydirtfarmer too. You guys are 'Keepers'. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Don

 

[Lloyd_E]

Mike,

You are blessed.

My wife works long hours as a fundraising exec for our local hospital.
I give my time, money and support...

All in the hopes that someone may receive a gift.

So, when fundraisers call....you know what to do.

I am glad your number came up!

Go take the wife and yourself to dinner and enjoy life.

all the best

lloyd

PS: good story to add to my day.

 

[RedRocker]

You can't beat a deal like that, great news.
Getting old ain't for sissies, I'm glad you guys are having success in your health battles, you're in my prayers.

 

[kensfarm]

Gotta love it.. good things do happen to good people. Merry Christmas!!

 

[beenthere]

That is great to hear. Thanks for posting.

 

[Slamfire]

Medicare just became my primary health insurance, the danged payments on my group policy haven't changed, I wonder if the hospital might not be cheaper than my total. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[thegreatrandini]

So buy ya some more equipment and do favors for your neihbors!!!

Congrats!!!

 

[_RaT_]

Very nice story Mike. Best wishes.

 

[woodlot]

That is very rare but I have heard of it. A woman I know has had 3 kids, all without health insurance and has financed the cost of each birth over 18 years (no kidding). The financing for her last kid was wipped off the books after 15 years. She's got a good sense of humor and refers to those as her "free years."

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( So I ask you all, have you ever heard of anything like this program in your entire life? )</font>

No, I haven't. And after hearing so many hospital horror stories, it's nice to hear of one with such wonderful altruism. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Congratulations! I'm really happy for you, Mike. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Moon]

Nope, I've never heard of such a program. What a great idea though. Most health care organizations appear to be out to get every penny from the customers that they can, and the insurance companies get the price breaks.
Congrats on the good news.
Christmas in July...without all the holiday fuss.
That is GREAT! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[hobbyfarm]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Our name had come up and our hospital debt had been canceled, poof....... )</font>

Mike,
You've been doubly blessed. Congrats. Also, I hope the cancer has been healed. Someone up there really likes you.

Wouldn't it be cool if the credit cards acted similarly! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Bird]

Nope, Mike, never heard of such a thing. But I'm happy for you; hope the remission continues to go well.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Medicare just became my primary health insurance, the danged payments on my group policy haven't changed )</font>

I'd say you're lucky. I went on Medicare this year myself, but my insurance premiums still went up this year. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I guess the only good news is that I've only seen a doctor one time this year and paid that bill out of my pocket since it didn't exceed, or even meet, my deductibles.

 

[PineRidge]

Well didn't you guys surprise me and put a tear in my eye.

My intentions were to share some good news with you and I really wasn't expecting the kinds of responses from you all that poured in from this post.

BTW: The wife and I do expect to make a contribution to the womens aux. so that their good efforts can touch others, and we'll also follow up with The Haven Of Rest, another local and deserving organization that helps the needy and less fortunate souls.

THANKS!

 

[billbill1]

Mike, I haven't been around long enough to know that you'd been sick. That is some great news and I'm glad that such a good person got to receive some good fortune. Normally someone with tons of money gets that kind of news, I'm glad one of my TBN buddies that is always eager to help everyone out- got helped out.