<p>We just got the insurance companies summary of what they are paying for my D’s half day in the emergency room. When I saw the amount of the bill I was shocked. I was extremely thankful that the bill was reduced since she had ended up at a preferred provider hospital of our insurance company. We still owe a lot and there are a few more bills to come but every little bit helps.
I would suggest you have your student find out what hospital is in your insurance network prior to any need of one. And also to know where their insurance card is. Also a note giving the hospital permission to contact and speak with your parent.</p>
<p>I must have missed something. What happened to your D, mom60? Is she okay?</p>
<p>she is fine now. Just some out of control asthma and some complications. She is having a hard time managing her asthma in her new location.
But it was really frustrating having her call from the taxi that the med center at school put her in that they were sending her to the hospital and then not hearing from her for 7 hours. And the hospital not being able to tell you anything since she is 18.</p>
<p>I’m so glad she is okay. I know that must have been frightening and frustrating for all of you.</p>
<p>Why is her asthma out of control in another location? What is it that makes it worse?
I’m so glad she’s okay now. Gosh, feel for you.You’re right about knowing where the card is.Could be another unbelievable hassle not having it available at the time.
My son’t oral surgery and one day in the hospital cost $34,000.00.</p>
<p>mom60, my S had asthma from the age of 3 to about 14. I know how frightening it can be when your kid is struggling to breathe. So sorry this is happening to your D! Do you think it might be allergens from new types of pollens/plants, etc… in her new area? Or perhaps stress?</p>
<p>I really don’t know a lot about asthma. She has not really had much of a problem at home. She did preventive meds for several years and had the inhaler which she used when she exercised. She has done a poor job at home doing the long term lung health meds that her Dr recommends. When you feel fine it is hard at 17 to understand that your lungs might not be fine.
One reason she is not going back to Tulane is due to the advice of her asthma dr and her being severely allergic to mold.
She has had trouble breathing since she got to Denver. She has had breathing treatments at the school health center and the hospital and been given prednisone. She seems to have congestion in her lungs most of the time when I talk with her. She says she is out of breath walking up the 2 flights to stairs to her room. I don’t know if it is the altitude-she has lived at sea level her whole life, the dry air or some allergen. I hadn’t thought about stress bringing it on.
I am pushing for a visit to her asthma Dr over the break. Her health center at her school has been amazing at staying on top of her health and we are pleased with the level of individual care she has gotten.</p>
<p>Try to see if National Jewish Medical & Research Center is participating & preferred with your health plan. They are the #1 respiratory hospital in the US & located in Denver, CO. I have flown there myself from HI for a good evaluation & treatment of respiratory issues & have nothing but praise for their very thorough evaluation & treatment. They are especially good at allergies & asthma & I highly recommend them.</p>
<p>You can learn more about them by checking out their website, <a href=“http://www.NationalJewish.org%5B/url%5D”>www.NationalJewish.org</a>.
Good luck!
Starion</p>
<p>HIMOM I have also heard of that facility - in the positive only.</p>
<p>MOM60 - her increase in asthma symptoms could well be effected by the altitude of Denver and the changes in the air pressure at that altitude. Docs not experienced in dealing with altitude vs asthma may not really understand exactly what your DDs symptoms relate from. It also may be time for her to have a complete physical - including some cardiac/respiratory evals. May be a good idea to check your insurance carrier and locate a provider in that area for your DD while she is there - could make a difference for her - and give you some piece of mind as well.</p>
<p>It may be also - that she needs to be alot more compliant with her treatment options - something kids are often not very good at - just a thought.</p>
<p>Jeepmom and Himom- thanks for the input. It is extremely frustrating dealing with her. She did have some bloodwork done at the request of the health center. It came back fine, whatever that means since my D did not know exactly what they were looking for.
She has had problems with the altitude and had a previous visit to the health center early on in the quarter. They felt the altitude and dehydration was the problem. She has always had a problem in the mountains with altitude. Dizziness, nausea and fainting. So much so that she hates to go skiing. Ending up in Denver was never her plan. It was a safety that I pushed. So much for life having any predictability.</p>
<p>I was going to push for a Dr visit while she is home since she is here for a month(and actually has met her deductible this year) but I might wait and push her to see someone in Denver. She is in the mist of finals so I won’t mention it yet. One more bit of advice from Mom would push her over the edge.
Jeepmom she is terrible about doing what she needs to do for long term health treatment. She says she forgets. She headed up to Vail for a field trip days after the hospitalization without even the inhaler. She has been trying most days to take the singular and she is less congested. Her Dr at home gave up on having her do any other preventative treatment. It would just sit in the cupboard.
My grey in my hair is increasing on a daily basis.</p>
<p>You can PM me if you’d like recommendations about specific doctors at National Jewish–I have had very positive experiences with several there and would HIGHLY recommend them.</p>
<p>It is tough when our kids want to spread their wings but “forget” to take proper care of their health. <argh! &=“” sigh=“”> Both of my kids & my hubby are asthmatic, but NONE of them ever carry their rescue inhaler–only I do (I’m asthmatic & also have emphysema–do we have great genes or what?!?)</argh!></p>
<p>I would say that National Jewish has been responsible for MAJOR improvement & stability in my lung function. Before I went there, my lung function kept getting worse & worse & I was breathless just sitting & breathless when I would wake every night for months. They have well-earned their top notch reputation & it would be worthwhile for you to see whether your insurer participates with them. It can take a while (like weeks or months) to set up an appointment there, so you might want to try doing that for her & then talk with her after she’s done with exams. That’s what I’d do if she was my kid, anyway. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, asthma is NOT something you want to mess around with–it can & does kill folks, especially if it’s poorly controlled & the patient has already had at least one hospitalization for asthma.
HImom</p>
<p>UUUMMMM Get her one of those cheap watches with all the alarms on it - ''take meds when watch alarms" - seriously.</p>
<p>It is very common for kids/young adults to think they are invincable and not want to be made to feel different - wonder if she REALLY knows the life and death consequences and the position she puts herself in by being so non-compliant - ya think being in the ER just might make a light go on - cuz it will happen again at some point.</p>
<p>But seriously - the altitude of Denver may be just enough to put her over the edge also - big consideration in all of this.</p>
<p>I have exercise asthma and have difficult especially with altitude and cold weather
Hate meds- have singular and prednisone scrip
Acupuncture works pretty well for me- might be worth considering for someone who doesnt like meds</p>
<p>When we dropped off my son at college, he was so sick we took him to the local hospital emergency room (the school’s health clinic was not yet open). We needed to know what was wrong before we just dropped him off and drove away. I didn’t think anything about it until about 2 months later when the bill came. It was on my insurance, but I was still shocked at how much the insurance company was paying for everything. At least now I know that my insurance covers that hoispital.;</p>
<p>We had a situation this past summer that caused us some real grief and aggrivation - DD was in a location where there were NO services provided by our insurance company - had to pay out of pocket.</p>
<p>In the midst of several t/c’s to the insurer - we found that she would have to meet a larger deductable because of being completely out of service area - and this is a national insurance company!!! uugghhhh</p>
<p>But we also found out that if she is ill at school - and has to be hospitalized for any reason - we would WANT to request a transfer to a covered hospital - which is 90 miles away from her school!!! - but also one of the best hospitals in the country - but still…</p>
<p>I have asthma that is especially exacerbated by smoke and cold air. My asthma has improved so much since using Advair that I have told my allergist I would happily do a free commercial for it. I rarely need my rescue inhaler (Albuterol), but when I do, I always have it handy. Mom60, it is concerning that your D doesn’t have her inhaler with her at all times, especially with her just having gone through some time in the ER. I can certainly understand your frustration. Maybe a serious talk between you, her and the doctor will make her realize the importance of ensuring she has her meds with her at all times. It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea at all to have her establish with a regular doctor there in Denver who can maintain her asthma meds, etc. I wish her good health!</p>
<p>I’ adding my wishes for good health. My sister spent a monthat National Jewish when young (college age). I believe they taught her medical management and health that have lasted her a life time.</p>
<p>She has tried advair and also pulmicort and floradil. The problem continues to be that she doesn’t use them on a regular basis. She has gotten into the habit of using the rescue inhaler when she exercises. She is trying to take the singular daily but she hates that she has to take it at night. I will have to ask the dr if she can switch it to the am when she might be more likely to take it. I had a talk with her tonight about seeing someone in Denver and she doesn’t see the need. She doesn’t want to understand that she shouldn’t have to use the albuteral at all.
These are the times I wish she was at school closer to home.
Regarding the insurance. When D called the day after the hospital she said they hadn’t charged her anything for the hospital. I laughed and said don’t worry they will.
It is all a learning experience. I am going to try to have my next two have more real life experiences before they head off to college.</p>