Thursday, January 2, 2014

Facing Unexpected Medical Expenses (without freaking out!)


Yup, that was the total amount denied by my dental insurance and the total amount I now owe out-of-pocket. Since I am just beginning our baby steps to getting out of debt and saving money, I don't yet have an account for these unexpected medical expenses. Instead of freaking out, this is what I did:

1. I called my dentist office just to verify the balance and that it indeed was denied by our insurance. Yes, and yes.

2. I asked if I could make a payment arrangement. I explained our situation and we quickly agreed on a doable amount. My next cleaning is in September, so I set a goal to have the balance paid off by then. We decided that I will pay $25 per week, and the balance will be paid off no later than August 8, 2014.

My organizational bug prompted me to create a template listing the week #, date, payment made and remaining balance. I used a report folder to hold both the bill and template



I've, of course, decided to add this to the list of debts I plan to snowball through. Yes, it is one more debt added to the list, but using the snowball method I should have this paid off much sooner than August! Therefore, I will not freak out.


Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: 
for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:8


3 comments:

  1. I love the way you handled this without freaking out! All too often we recoil at unexpected expenses. We feel they're unexpected, though God knew ahead of time they were coming our way. Your response was wonderful-face it, deal with it, and work through it in faith. Nice job!

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  2. I remember trying to make a payment arrangement with my hospital back about 15 years ago, before I had health insurance. After speaking with them, they stated they wouldn't take any arrangement less than $100 per month and I couldn't afford that much at the time. I sent in the $50 per month that I could afford and never once did they call me or bother me about paying less... The bill was paid off in 8 months and I never wanted to have to do that again!

    Good for you to keep such detailed track of it. It will help a ton to see the progress!

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  3. What a great way to deal with this and what an amazing attitude! It is so smart to make a chart so it is tangible evidence that "Yes, this is going somewhere, something is getting accomplished!!" Miss you friend!

    Kristen

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