The Cellar / Old Age

**Posted by xoxoxoBruce** 3/20/2021 2:18 am

Now this is the oldest verifiable person on earth.
Maybe we should cut her up in the lab to check her chemistry and genetics and stuff.
Then have the Viagra people figure out how to raise us all from the dead.

**Posted by BigV** 4/20/2021 7:57 pm

don't feel like starting a thread

Old age. My Mom is old, disabled, stroke, aphasia, paralyzed, bedridden. Last month the bill for her care was ~$1800. Just got this month's bill, > $240,000.00. There's been a major malfunction in her paperwork. This is not a drill. And this is *by far* my area of least expertise.

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.

**Posted by monster** 4/20/2021 11:42 pm

BigV wrote:
don't feel like starting a thread

Old age. My Mom is old, disabled, stroke, aphasia, paralyzed, bedridden. Last month the bill for her care was ~$1800. Just got this month's bill, > $240,000.00. There's been a major malfunction in her paperwork. This is not a drill. And this is *by far* my area of least expertise.

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.

It's a fuck up. You can do this. It will take time to sort it the fuck out but you will get there.

I'm pretty sure you know the drill, but just in case....

1) breathe
2) swear/cuss some more
3) breathe
4) pick up the phone and call them
4a) If you get an automated menu and the option to speak to a human isn't working the way you'd like it to, pick the option to pay... then fuck up your automated responses until they decide to connect you to a person
4b) ask alleged human to tell you what the fuck up is.... etc.... ask them what codes you need to get it billed correctly
5) breathe
6) call the provider and tell them you them they've made a mistake in the billing
6a) ask them what codes they billed
6b) ask them why they billed those codes
6c) repeat a & b twice
6d) ask for a name and reference number and confirm that it is being recorded
6e) tell them what codes they should have billed
6f) breathe
6g) Ask them who is responsible for the incorrect billing
6h) Breathe
6i) Breathe some more
6j) Give them breathing space, ask them to note on the account that you have called immediately you got the bill because there is clearly an error, and clearly there will be no payment until it is fixed but you understand it will take some time so this is the best way to contact you....
7) Smoky Malty Thing time
8a) also breathe. Deeper. It's 4/20.... ish ;)

**Posted by griff** 4/21/2021 5:51 am

That would make me crazy.

**Posted by Diaphone Jim** 4/21/2021 12:17 pm

You know they screwed up.
I suggest enjoying the process of ripping whoever it is a new you know what.
I am about 7 months into doing that to UCSF, a health center that brags constantly about how wonderful they are, but is simply a business that protects their billing department like a grizzly bear mother.

**Posted by Clodfobble** 4/21/2021 4:59 pm

6d) ask for a name and reference number and confirm that it is being recorded

In my experience, this is absolutely the most important step. Politely, sweetly, but clearly. They get so uncomfortable when they have to repeat their name for you, and even more so when you cite a coworker's name back at them from a previous call.

**Posted by Peoploid** 4/21/2021 6:01 pm

BigV wrote:
My Mom is old, disabled, stroke, aphasia, paralyzed, bedridden.

I'm sorry for your mum BigV.

**Posted by BigV** 4/22/2021 6:19 pm

Thank you all.

I don't have an update beyond the fact that I've engaged them and the government agencies that can help. My head's still spinning though.

I can't even call her on the phone cause she can't talk on the phone. Visiting her is a half day affair minimum, even in the before times. guh.