The ‘Oh Crap’ Factor

Ok my lovelies, we are going to talk today about the ‘oh crap’ factor in life and are you really prepared.

The last two weeks have been ……’rough’. What started out with a trip to the pediatrician that turned much more serious very quickly. My daughter was diagnosed with a UTI, given a shot in the booty, a couple of prescriptions and we left.

Fast forward past the pharmacy to the house and she starts to mimic the Exorcist in my kitchen. Nice. There are some thing s I just don’t do and vomit is one of them. On cue the phone rings and it’s the doctor asking how things are going. How do you think its going?? She tells me to pack it up and I get to spend the evening in the hospital ER.

Nice. I did remember to ask her to call ahead for a reservation.

Those of you who are parents know where this is going. I would rather eat a worm than spend five minutes in the ER. It doesn’t matter that the doctor called ahead, it’s still first come first served. However, Lauren did manage another Exorcism in the triage room and I think that moved us ahead in the line.

It was decided she would be admitted overnight for ‘observation’, and given antibiotics by IV. She was having significant pain so there would be ‘tests’ the next morning. Those consisted of an ultrasound and a CT scan. Then I’m being told they thought there was a blockage but couldn’t tell what. So that meant surgery. We were there for a week.

So let’s recap, within a twelve hour span of time we had gone from the pediatrician’s office – pharmacy – home – ER – admitted – tests – surgery with a week stay. That’s more going on than even Walt Disney can do. This my friends is the ‘oh crap’ factor.

So was I prepared? Um, no – not emotionally. Are you kidding??!! Financially, yes. Being financially prepared for the ‘oh crap’ moments let’s you handle them much better. The last thing going through my mind was how am I going to pay for this.

I understand that insurance and health care are hot button topics right now. Jus t as we must take our budget by the horns we must take the same initiative on our healthcare.

Prepare yourself. Understand your insurance program. What is/isn’t covered? What is your deductible? If it is written in Greek, contact your HR representative. Become a leech on their leg until they explain it to you. My guy knows me by name when we pass in the hall.

Put a line item in your budget to put a little extra away to help cover the bills. Most places will work out arrangements with you to pay over time.

Know the difference about in-network and out-of-network. However, this week I didn’t care. The doctor we saw I would have paid full price for out of my own pocket.

Study your statements when they come. Don’t let them jerk you around. Make them explain it you. Most insurance companies and the insurance departments are actually willing to explain it to you if you want to listen. It’s their job.

Don’t forget about your emergency fund people. That’s what it’s there for. Can I tell you the number of trips back and forth to the hospital that my husband made which means extra gas? Let’s add up the trips to McDonalds for pancakes and strawberry smoothies to bribe my daughter to eat something, the countless bottles of water and cups of coffee and dinner to save us from the cafeteria food. All of this adds up. Fortunately they validate parking.

I’m not going to tell you how much they charge for flowers people. I already have a future post in mind for that one.

What I’m trying to get across to you is at any time ‘oh crap’ can be uttered from your lips just like they were from mine. Some things are out of our control, can’t help you with that. What I can do you is help you be prepared with the things you can.