Medical Expenses

Well, over the past week I was able to pay another one of my debts. It was a bill for my therapist. The bill was at least a year old and I feel horrible for letting it go so long.  My DH’s job changed the coverage for mental health from CompPysch to Blue Cross Blue Shield. When we had CompPsych the copay was only $12 a visit. Which we could afford because I only went 2 times a month.  But when it changed to Blue Cross Blue Shield our copay went up to $36 a visit!! I had some rough months in 2007 and went more than 2 times a month. Sometimes I went every week. By the time I realized that the copay had changed I had already been charged and my bill was over $500!! But I do not blame myself. I am pretty sure notices were sent out in the mail and knowing me, I never opened them. When I g0t really depressed about bills, I used to just ignore them. I did not open them in hopes the debt would go away. I know, i know stupid right? I was at a point in my life where I did not care about bills and personal finance.  I spent like crazy without thinking about the consequences. But back around October, I knew I had to straighten up and be a grown up. Sometimes I behaved like a spoiled little brat who had to have her way. I made a decision to stop seeing my therapist until I could pay off the bill. Fortunately I was still able to get my medication refilled but I knew i would feel horrible if I continued to see him knowing I could not afford it. Another decision I made was to up the amount that was put into our Health Savings Account. Through my husband’s job every year you are able to make decisions about your insurance coverage, life insurance and savings for daycare or/and or health. In 2007 I did not choose enough for the deduction. So I sat down, figured out what all our deductibles, presciptions and co-pays would be. Then I was able to set a deduction amount that would cover them all so what happened in 2007 would never happen again. (See, I’m learning to be a little more responsible).

So I am very happy to say I was able to pay my mental health medical bill off. $747.38 gone!!! Now I still have some dental bills I need to pay and I don’t feel depressed about it. I honestly feel like I know getting out debt is possible. It is a slow process but I am glad that it is. I am learning that I do not want to feel this way ever again because of debt. This journey is hard and exhausting. Once it is over I never want to do it again.

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