Damn Liquid Meds! (And Assorted Sundry Medical-Related Complaints)
So, we broke in the new insurance on January 14th with a trip to the doc because DD woke up with gross, gummy, teary, inflamed eyelids and I suspected pinkeye (oh hooray for Mama) which she did have.
The doc also took a peek at DD's ears and diagnosed an ear infection.
So, a 5-day course of eyedrops and a 10-day course of liquid amoxy. I was not optimistic about either, but gave it my best efforts.
DD managed the eyedrops fine, but the liquid meds ... I screamed, I begged, I let her hold the dosing spoon. She gagged, she clammed her mouth shut and she spilled the meds on the kitchen floor. I cried - this had just cost me $13 ($10 for the base; $3 for flavoring) - and then I yelled.
Not that it did much good because DD had amoxy in her hair, all over the front of her fleece and on her dress.
Forcing it into her just caused her to gag & vomit, giving me more laundry to do.
We mixed it into yogurt & applesauce for the next 4 days.
On the 5th day, she turned up her nose at them.
I begged, I pleaded, I cajoled.
Nope.
DH was laid up with back spasms, so I had no backup.
I paid for 10 days of antibiotics and got maybe 4 into her.
Well, shoot.
She starts pulling on her ear last Monday, so off to the doc we go because I am freaking TERRIFIED of "superbugs" - you know, antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria - and admitted to the nurse that there was no way I was able to force my almost 3-year-old kid to take liquid meds. I am bigger and stronger, but that's not always the best leverage when I'm annoyed and feeling put-upon.
No infection, but a ton of waxy buildup. OK, so we cleaned out her ears and the doc sent us home.
On FRIDAY, however, we got a call from her daycare asking us to pick her up - she'd napped in 10-20 minute bursts, waking up crying hysterically, and she was running a temperature (100.4 - their send-home threshold is 100.1)
OK, fine. Logged out of work, made an appointment with the ped, picked DD up from school and ran a quick errand before heading back to the pediatrician.
Where I am presented with a bill for $85 for our visit on the 14th.
"Were you aware that you had a balance?"
Yes, but I hadn't received a bill yet.
"Now you have."
OK, I think, this shouldn't be so bad. After all, her sick visits last year (under a different insurance policy/company) were only about $17 each ... nope.
$85.
Insurance didn't pay a cent.
"Well, you have an 80-20 plan, so you should only have to pay 20%"
Um, well, it doesn't look that way. It looks like I am paying 80% of the total bill because insurance doesn't pay out until we meet our $500 deductible.
Effing highway robbery.
But my child is ill and I need her to get well, so I smile sweetly and tell the receptionist that I need to speak with my insurance company on Monday and I'll pay the bill when I figure out if that's the actual amount I actually owe.
Anyway, DD is seen by the doc and has another (recurred?) ear infection. Oh joy.
I told the doc flat-out I wasn't dealing with the liquid amoxy again. No way, no how. It's too much work for me and I already had a sick patient at home (DH, who, after clearing up his backache, promptly came down with flu-like symptoms, including a nasty cough that makes him vomit. Greaaat.)
So, we get DD injected antibiotics. 2 shots on Friday; 2 more on Saturday ... and she's back to her old self. Running around like a lunatic and driving me crazy. (It's a short trip.)
But ... each freaking sick visit is $85 until we meet our deductible???
Ugh. I think I'm going to strangle someone now.
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Liz
DD (3/2010)
"Make mistakes! Get messy!" - Miss Frizzle