really? one stereostatic biopsy and the amount of $$$?

Sorry you're going through this. Are you sure you're reading your policy correctly? Some people have policies that are only major medical. i.e. they aren't so great at covering a lot of more routine visits and may have a large deductible, but they definitely provide some coverage for larger events.

I felt the same way as you when first diagnosed but some how I got through it all with bills paid

pull poverty, don't spend a dime you do not have to until all is resolved

and do not be afraid to ask folks, at one point in the beginning I barfed at a big bill, I called the hospital and asked for an extended payment plan.  They said yes, asked me what I could pay and we agreed on a plan.  In the end, I was able to pay but having that hospital say I had some room....meant a great deal to me

I hear ya.  Last year going into treatment, I hit the catastrophic level of $5,000 out of pocket relatively quickly.  And I consider that I have pretty good insurance.  The $5000 is per calendar year and once I hit that, health care is free the rest of that calendar year.  I was dx in April 2011; as soon as I began chemo, it didn't take long to reach that limit.   My copay for each Neulasta shot after all 8 chemo infusions was $785 after insurance paid the majority of that.  Neulasta billed $3500 per shot, insurance paid about 1/3 of that and I owed the balance of $785 per shot.   A lot of my 2011 treatment was free because I hit the $5000 catastrophic but treatment crossed over into 2012 and I am soon to hit the catastrophic level for this year also and mind you, treatment itself was over in February.   Just the twelve radiation treatments that stretched into 2012 were $1425 (my share) but the other 24 were free in 2011 b/c I'd met catastrophic.  All the testing afterwards cost a lot too.

I had saved a lot over the years but like you, I wanted to keep a cushion for other things and not pay it all out at once.  I will say that I did find that every doctor/hospital I encountered during this journey, all allowed me to pay what I felt comfortable affording each month and as long as I continue paying it down, no one bothers me.  I've checked my credit history and again, as long as I am paying off these bills, it has not affected that either.

Hi Betts4,

All I can suggest is that you not miss paying (at least) something, and paying that something before it is due.  At least that will show you are trying in good faith on the doctor, hospital, etc. bills. The good news is that some providers are willing to work with you on an in-house payment plan.   Maybe, that will be the full bill, or $10 or $25, whatever.   The bad news is that other providers may forward to outside collections at some point (usually anywhere from 90-120 days from the original service date).

Something else to consider is paying what you can or paying a little, and then see if a payment plan can be agreed on after say 2-3 months. Hospitals may be willing to negotiate the bill downward sometimes.  I guess we will both know more later on about what the costs actually are.  Opening the mail is ceasing to be fun these days. Best of Luck, things will have to get better sometime.

All My Best,

Charitylake