I really hate to say this, but I've got to start over again. Searching for a doctor, this is.
 

It started when I got my bill from Mayo for Dr. A's appointment. I nearly flipped when I saw the $400 tab. I seriously didn't think that out-of-network costs were that much. I was prepared to pay $100; maybe $200 max. It got worse when I got the bill for M1 and M2… another $400. This all came in the mail around the same time I got my notice for a follow up appointment with M1. I'm going to have to cancel.
 

I've learned two things recently that will hopefully help with this out-of-control billing. My employer has a health advocate, that, among other things, can help with fee negotiation. Add to that, out of network charges can be applied to my deductible. So, although I'll be in debt to Mayo indefinitely, hopefully the fees won't be so high.
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Yeah, I know. Duh, right?

I was just reading a post over at Diabetes Daily by Bernard Farrell. He was discussing the astronomical cost of test strips. It is ridiculous that they cost $1 a piece. On an average day, Olivia tests 8 - 10 times. When she's sick, it's even more frequent. That's $10 a day, just in test strips.

The insurance company's answer to this, usually, is "Well, test less frequently." Yeah, you know where you can shove that statement, bucko. Get lost.

But why aren't the insurance companies pushing back on this? Why are they content to let manufacturers charge so freakin' much for test strips? I don't understand it.

I've done this before, but I think it's time to break down what diabetes costs us every month.

-- Approximately $750 for health insurance. Per month. Yeah. Ouch.
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