Handle That! Phone Call.

I was frustrated earlier today when I was told by my daughter's new health care provider, that she couldn't be seen. As a new patient, she's required to have a physical and they don't take walk-ins. I'm sure they could tell, that I didn't have any interest in formal procedures. A doctor somewhere, was going to see my daughter today. Period.

She's been home ill for 2-days now. I just took my youngest daughter to the doctor as a walk-in yesterday evening. My children have always had the same doctor until just recently. We received my eldest daughter's new health insurance card in the mail last week.

It did surprise me to receive the new card with a new primary physician and location. I did not make this request and I know that we have the right to select/change our HMO provider at anytime. Something told me to call the health insurance company at that very moment when I opened the envelope, but did I? No.

My eldest daughter will be spending the Christmas and New Year holidays with her dad and she leaves this coming Monday. I thought best as a precaution, to just take her to the doctor today to make sure her symptoms are only cold/flu symptoms and nothing more serious.

After being turned away by the new provider, I asked if they could refer us to somewhere that I could take her where she'd be seen today. I wanted to be sure that wherever we went would be covered under the health plan that was selected for her.

In the past, I wouldn't have thought beyond just getting her to a doctor. As I think about how I'll get out of debt, I'm conscious enough to do what I can and not accrue any new unnecessary debt. If I had taken my daughter just anywhere, it's likely that I would've gotten a medical bill in the future (even though we have health insurance).

"I should've made that call that day" is what I was saying out loud to my daughter as we exited the medical building. Reality set in before we walked to the vehicle. I decided to call the 1-800 number on her insurance card before going to urgent care so at the very least, on her next doctor's visit we could see her usual physician.

The insurance representative was so helpful. At the top of the call, I expressed how unhappy I was about the situation. I needed to make sure that my daughter would have verifiable medical coverage today, if I initiated any changes to her health plan within the call. The representative understood my concern and made the necessary changes. All in about 10-minutes!

Off to her regular doctor's office we went. Everything went smoothly and I found out, had I just gone to them first, they had the ability to change her health plan there in their office. Learning never ends.

Thankfully, all she has is a stomach virus that no medication can be prescribed for. Light diet and lots of rest were the doctor's orders. She's all clear to vacation with her dad.

-I will work harder at being more diligent and responsible with my family's needs!