I had mentioned the impending court date a few weeks ago. The one that was demanding our remaining hospital balance in full. The whole whopping $550.00 of it.
Maybe the hospital wanted to buy a new coke machine...and, like the rest of us, needed some extra cash? *grin* Don't worry. I kid.
Yet even though it does sound like pocket change, to us it seemed like the impossible. on top of all the other bills and what-nots you have as a homeowner and parent.
Back in December, after my husband received a paycut, we started to look into the hospital's financial aid again (being a state university hospital they have their own aid to offer).
And this is where we started to get the professional run-around. In all honesty, there have been many times that I felt they were intentionally trying to stall the progress of our case until Feb.6, where we'd be forced to go to court.
Because those were our only two options: Go to court. or pay the payment in full to them before the court date.
From the four corners, we had to gather information on nearly everything we owned to prove that we might qualify for financial aid. And trust me, they were dead set on making us earn every penny that they may or may not knock off the bottom line.
Things we bought wayyyyy back when, we were suddenly needing to produce their receipts. having to prove the real worth of the asset in question. Since God knows they tripled every thing's value. Literally.
Convenient how the government will slap a hefty value on a used item that will bring you, maybe, $100 at a yardsale. But I digress...
Day after day my husband would call their financial department, making sure they got our newest fax sheets. filled with all the latest information they were suddenly needing.
He called them so often that it got to the point where all he would have to do was say "Hello. I'm calling to check on my case" and they'd say "Alright. Hold on."
He was not only known by name. He was known by voice. No kidding.
I had thought all was lost during this last wild goose chase they sent him on. Because he had to track down a receipt from Texas. on a trailer we bought 5 years ago.
Obviously we didn't have that on hand. So Jet finally tracked down the company's number. called them. and was told they didn't have that information.
*insert husband feeling very exhausted and near the end of his rope*
But thank God for the little lady who was on the other side of the phone line. She was one of those sweet Texans, who lives by the rule "Southern Hospitality has no bounds". She gave Jet the direct line of one of her friends. who just happened to work in the Dept.of Transportation.
"She'll have the information you need. Honey, you just tell her Marge told you to call."
He called. That lady said she could send him the information. but it would take a couple of weeks. I can just imagine him hearing that. After ALLLL the work he'd put into this over the last couple of months, it would all come down to a letter of information that would arrive a few days too late.
Yet Favor came to the rescue again.
She paused...and then said, "Well I think I could fax that to you.... In fact, I'll go ahead and copy the information now while I'm on the phone with you. Is that alright?"
IS IT EVER!!!
But our lovely little hospital majors in loop holes. So we weren't homefree yet.
One of the things that they said they needed was Jet's life insurance policy. the cash value. No big deal, right? Jet sent that to them. And then, following his usual practice, called them two days later to talk with them about it.
The man on the other side of the phone said it wasn't sufficient. The paper he sent them said "policy value". Not cash value.
Are you kidding me?! So off Jet ran, yet again, chasing the wind...just trying to save us whatever money he could.
Have I mentioned I'm so proud of him? Because I am. I would have given up a long time ago, frustrated by the hoops they were having us jump through. But my Jet rarely gives up.
And it paid off.
We approved for a 65% cut. Jet payed the amount with them on the phone. The girl who has talked to Jet countless times said she'd process it immediately. I bet she was inwardly cheering for us as well. :)
And...drum roll please....I now have the "Payment accepted" letter in my hand to prove the whole saga is over. finished. and stamped by the Favor of God on our lives.
