Dear So and So

[Trek420]

Have you considered that your performance is being graded compared to YOUR peers and DD's to her own peers? It seems logical that there would be different expectations for 7 year olds than for adults. To go home and cry, lock yourself in your room, and complain to the Grand Master about having a lower score than your own daughter is wrong. Just wrong.

I don't really know what else to say.
Limewave.

Any teacher worth their belt would be looking at that behavior too. THAT might be part of why her score is low. Yes, TKD is a competitive sport but it's a martial art and you compete to master yourself too.

[Catrin]

Just heard from my insurance company about how much the dog bites is going to cost me....worse than I feared. Sigh....

Going to go ride some of this stress off on my bike. I could almost purchase another bike for what this will cost me, so am VERY glad I already have the mountain bike

[channlluv]

Any chance of going back and finding that dog owner?

I'm so sorry the bill is so high.

Roxy

[Catrin]

Any chance of going back and finding that dog owner?

I'm so sorry the bill is so high.

Roxy

I wouldn't recognize the man, and at this point it would probably be impossible to prove. This means no vacation this year, or really any trips at all. I am, however, thankful the damage wasn't worse and that I didn't need rabies - the hospital will simply have to work out arrangements with me. I simply don't have the money. Hopefully no more unexpected surprises until this is taken care of.

Anyone want to buy a very special Long Haul Trucker?

[OakLeaf]

Oh, man, Catrin, I'm so sorry it's turned out that way.

Most hospitals these days will accept payments - since they don't have much choice - although I guess it probably depends on whether the hospital you went to was for profit or not. In fact, I was pretty irritated with the bills from my crash, that the hospital's collection department called me within a day or two of my receiving the bills! Their intent (they claimed) was to work out a payment plan, not to harrass ...

[jessmarimba]

In fact, I was pretty irritated with the bills from my crash, that the hospital's collection department called me within a day or two of my receiving the bills! Their intent (they claimed) was to work out a payment plan, not to harrass ...

They came up to find me IN MY ROOM and asked for my debit card, maybe the day after surgery. The lady got rather irritated when I wouldn't get out of bed and find it for her (I couldn't even walk at that point! Though I should've tried to get up just so I could've vomited all over her)

But most hospitals will take whatever you can pay at a time, and will just send you invoices with the remaining balance for usually at least 6 months. It takes forever before they'll try to send to collections agency or anything. Don't stress over it...I think I paid maybe $200/month (after I gave them my entire bike savings chunk about a month after I was released).

[snapdragen]

Catrin - check with the hospital. They should be able to work something out with you, at least the one I work at does.

[limewave]

Just heard from my insurance company about how much the dog bites is going to cost me....worse than I feared. Sigh....

Going to go ride some of this stress off on my bike. I could almost purchase another bike for what this will cost me, so am VERY glad I already have the mountain bike

I understand. We are STILL paying for DS's unexpected hospital stay last summer. The nice thing is, when I called the hospital to work out a payment plan, they let ME pick the monthly amount (ANY amount I wanted) and there is no interest. There was only a one time fee of $10 to set it up.

[emily_in_nc]

Just heard from my insurance company about how much the dog bites is going to cost me....worse than I feared. Sigh....

Going to go ride some of this stress off on my bike. I could almost purchase another bike for what this will cost me, so am VERY glad I already have the mountain bike

I'm so sorry...that really sucks that you are having to pay for something that is clearly someone else's total responsibility. Not to mention the pain and scaring (emotional and physical) you're dealing with.

[Owlie]

Catrin, that sucks!

Dear master's program and financial aid system--
Your whole intent is to leave me broke, isn't it? $12,000 a year, not including books and living expenses. I don't have that kind of money. Unfortunately, my parents were far too conscientious about saving money for my education. So it's not like I have no money...meaning I get no financial aid apart from federal loans, and will graduate with a master's degree, no money, no real job prospects, and in debt. (I wonder what would happen if I blew all my savings on a car...)

For my end goals, this is probably the best thing to do. It's not the smart thing to do.

[tulip]

Catrin, that sucks!

Dear master's program and financial aid system--
Your whole intent is to leave me broke, isn't it? $12,000 a year, not including books and living expenses. I don't have that kind of money. Unfortunately, my parents were far too conscientious about saving money for my education. So it's not like I have no money...meaning I get no financial aid apart from federal loans, and will graduate with a master's degree, no money, no real job prospects, and in debt. (I wonder what would happen if I blew all my savings on a car...)

For my end goals, this is probably the best thing to do. It's not the smart thing to do.

Owlie, can you go to an in-state school? It's very much worth it to not end up in debt after graduation. In the end, it doesn't so much matter where you went to school as much as it matters what you can do for your employer.

Also, they cannot count your parent's income since you are an independent student (all grad students are considered independent from parents for financial aid purposes. At least that's how it worked when I was a financial aid counselor at a large university).

[tulip]

Catrin, arguing with insurance companies and hospitals is no fun, but it really is worth it. I find that if I put myself in the position of advocating for someone else (i.e., pretend I'm calling for someone else--like it's my job), I can stand up for my "client" (moi) a whole lot better than if it's just little ole me. Might work for you, too.

At the very least, whatever you owe the hospital, you should be able to work out a payment plan that will work with your finances. $100 a month or whatever--better than losing money on your bike, not to mention losing your bike.

[Owlie]

Tulip, this is a state school, and I count as an in-state student. It's not even a big state school. Ohio has expensive public universities compared to some. I looked at California students' outrage over tuition increases and went "Huh? Even with the increase, that's less than OSU's!" (Granted, Ohio is much cheaper than California to live in...)

I'm filing my FAFSA anyway, but the money in question is in my name, not my parents'. (Well, one is joint, which is where it gets weird.) This was not my first choice of plans (thanks, federal grant situation!), so while it may put me in a better place when it comes to PhD admissions--they like academics--the fact of the matter is that in the long run, it's probably not a good idea. And frankly, I'm not even sure at this point that the PhD is worth it. Not enough jobs.

I should have been an engineer. (ha!)

[indysteel]

Owlie, I know you've probably mentioned this in past thread, but what do you intend to study and what's your intended career path?

[withm]

Just heard from my insurance company about how much the dog bites is going to cost me....worse than I feared. Sigh....

Going to go ride some of this stress off on my bike. I could almost purchase another bike for what this will cost me, so am VERY glad I already have the mountain bike

OMG! Is your health insurance really denying your claim for emergency room treatment???? On what grounds? How much money are you going to have to pay for this? I'd call the insurance company and go to a higher-up person to explain the circumstances of the accident and make them re-evaluate the claim.

Then after they pay, I'd negotiate with the provider for any balance due, but they may be convinced to accept whatever the insurance covers. If your insurance is really bailing on you, you need to find a different insurance plan.

Everything is negotiable. Even if you went "out of plan" for your treatment, you can almost always negotiate the bill somewhat, and then work out a payment plan. I wouldn't be selling any bikes just yet - you'll never get back what you paid, and it will cost even more to replace later. You can probably work out a plan to pay the hospital/doctor/radiology etc at $50/month (or less) if you have to.