follow-up visits

[ExpatJen]

Just to get an idea - how frequently and for how long (years) should we expect to have follow-up check-ups? Audrey has had one per month since the surgery. I am happy they are keeping an eye on her but was just curious as to what to expect. I realize it will vary from child to child but it would be helpful to know what others have experienced. The Drs were a little vague when I asked.

Also, we just received the bill from the hospital and I was in shock - it was only a little over 7000 euros (about $9,000) - and that covered everything. I was expecting another zero on the end. Our insurance covered all of it but it still amazes me, coming from the States, how reasonable medical care is here.

-Jennifer C.

[Lauren]

Hi Jen,
9,000????? Holy cow! Matthew's was 27,000 and that was almost 5 years ago!!!!! As for appointments, he went yearly until two years ago when he told us two years. He will go back this November for another check (which I think may be his last unless there is something wrong then).

[KALEMSMOM]

We went 1 week post-op, 3 months post-op, and now we only go back at his one-year post-op. I don't know about afterwards.

[cheryl2]

Hi, We only go back for one year follow-ups now. About the hospital bill, there may be more bills. Our hospital sent several bills (insurance covered all but a few hundred dollars). Total it was probably around $90,000. They were trickling in for months, a few thousand at at time. The only big one I remember is one for $45,000. Take care.

[Matthews Mommy]

I go once a year too, and I never got any bills! Thank god because I can not afford it.

[ExpatJen]

Thanks all,
Once a year makes sense - I'll ask at the next visit (in 2 weeks) when these monthly visits will end.

Also, I wondered if there would be more bills (wanted to be prepared) so I called the hospital to check and I was told that they would only ever send the one comprehensive bill (it was in 5 parts) and that it was confirmed that our insurance already payed it. I kept asking if it really was the final total and was assured it was all resolved. Then I asked if that was the "going rate" for this kind of surgery and the man I spoke with thought I was complaining that it was too high. He thought I was accusing them of cheating the insurance company!!! I explained that I thought it was on the low side and that I wanted to know if we should expect more to pay - he couldn't believe it and said he had never had anyone question a bill like that before. Then he asked where I came from (he heard my accent) and when I told him he said "Oh, now I understand" and told me not to worry - it was all payed and we wouldn't be hearing from them again. Amazing.

Jennifer

[Katie]

Dillon was seen once a month for the first few months. Now it varies between every 3 to 6 months. I imagine it will stay that way until it's time for surgery #2. That is with the craniofacial surgeon, we see the neurosurgeon once a year unless there's a problem or concern. $9,000? :faint that is amazing! Are you sure there wasn't a typo somewhere? Dillon's was over $40,000!

[Jennifer]

Post op we went- 1 week, 1 month, 3 month, 6 month, 1 year (after that it was to be yearly, but then we scheduled the next one so we started the cycle over again (skipping the 3 month).

Wow- $9,000....incredible. We were $45,000+ for the first and about $25,000- $30000 for the second

[mom2mykidos3]

I too was wondering what the bill would be like. We have insurance but we have to pay 20% of the bill. I am just trying to prepare myself for what is going to come. Thanks for the info. I would love more info too. Thanks.

[MikenAustinsMommy]

Well... Austin's total bill from the hospital was $105,000. He did stay 2 extra days in the ICU because of a very very rare reaction to Morphine (and the recussitation team wasn't cheap either). Thankfully, our insurance covered it all as well. All of his follow-up visits will be about $250 each

[cheryl2]

If I remember right, the hospital sent a bill or two, then we got separate bills from all the doctors. The plastic surgeon, the neurosurgeon, and maybe the anesthesiologist sent bills for the surgery but separate from the bills we got for the hospital stay

[verdon2]

:puke Maggies was 72,000.00 and some change. We paid 1000.00 for copays. Can't beat that huh? I would have sold my soul to help her.... As for follow ups we had one at 6 months and another next month, what 14 months post-op. :icon_mrgr

[mikaylasmommy]

Mikayla has to see her PS and her NS every 18 months. They are in a clinic and do the visit together. I don't like how little they see her actually. And the $9000 is really cheap. Mikaylas was around $40,000 and I thought that was low.

[Rhonda O]

Zachary's bill was around $50,000. Most of it was covered by the insurance. Zachary had post-op check-ups at 2 weeks, 3 months, and then yearly. He will continue to go yearly until he is 7.

[momforthe1sttime]

I don't want to be invasive, but was wondering what kinds of insurance ppl are using. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and haven't looked into whether or not my insurance will cover the surgery etc. I know I didn't pay a dime for all I went thru throughout my pregnancy and delivery. I was just wondering......

[Lauren]

We have Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. We didn't pay anything other than office visit copays (oh, and about $100 to get the car out of the hospital garage!)

[craniomommynbaby]

We have had 2 follow-ups since Simon's staples were removed. He will go back in September, at 15 months post-op.
I think the cost came to around $100,000 by the time you count up everything. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, and they did not cover the balance of the craniofacial surgeon's bill. If we had not gotten Medicaid to cover that part, we would have been responsible for about $13,000.

[MikenAustinsMommy]

We had First Health insurance for Austin's surgery, but now we have Blue Shield of California.

After Austin's surgery we had a 2 wk, 6 wk, 3 month, we will have another one at 11 months, then yearly until he is 8

[Jennifer]

We had Pacific Source for the first, Healthnet for the 2nd. Our bills also kept coming- some from the hospital, some for the NS, some from PS, some from the anesthesiologist, etc....Pacific Source was awesome, though we went to get on it after my husband started working for himself and they wouldn't cover Emily due to her 'pre-existing' condition (we originally had it through his company)- Healthnet, a bit more work to get stuff covered, with follow-up we are slowly dwindling what they say we owe.

[plukids]

Sylvie's bills were $95,000.00. I was shocked! :shocked I don't even know what I expected. We have Blue Cross and had to pay our maximum out of pocket amount of $1,500.00 total. Amazing how much it cost. I think I was just relieved that her cranio could be fixed and did not question how much it would be. I should have .....then I would have been better prepared. I would have paid 100 times that if I had to to keep Sylvia healthy.