Got My First Statement for the Rabies Shots!

[sparrow13]

Get this...for ONE DAY of shots the total is $3800. That was in late June and we're not done with the shots until tomorrow...so that's what...another 8 shots on top of that bill! Looks like DH and I will be turning over the sofa cushions looking for any spare change Hee!

That whooshing sound you hear is the sound of me instantly changing my opinion on socialized medicine.

(KIDDING!)

 

[carres1973]

WHAT!!! $3,800?? Didn't you say insurance wasn't going to cover this as well? Holy smokes!

Carrie

 

[TeTe]

e! That whooshing sound you hear is the sound of me instantly changing my opinion on socialized medicine.

(KIDDING!)

Seriously, it'll be that much for EACH??? Will your insurance pay for any of it? Or will they say that the bat was living near your house so this is a pre-existing condition!

Oh, and welcome over to "OUR" side!

 

[Gayle]

Oh, bummer, Sparrow. My deepest condolences, that really sucks.

 

[hiitdogs]

Oh crap!!! $ 3,800??? Wow!!

The cost for health care is totally out of control IMO! Let me know if you find anything underneath your cushions, I might join you in searching.

 

[lori254]

Yikes -- that is unbelievable. I'm Canadian, so our health care is paid for through our taxes (note -- it's not free). But I could not imagine having to cough up that kind of money all at once. Do you have insurance through your company?

 

[kEwL]

OMG - I hope you have some type of insurance help. Do the shots hurt as much as they are rumored to hurt??

Good luck, hope you can get some financial help.

 

[sparrow13]

The rest of the bills won't be quite so high because that first time we had 11 shots...still it's crazy! Insurance will cover anything over $5000 so the good news is with one day we basically hit our deductible...the bad news is that it might as well be $5 million because we don't have either amount. Also along the good news lines is that I really don't get freaked about money issues. I was a starving artist for too long to do that. DH is looking a little puckered though. We'll plan to throw ourselves on the mercy of the hospital.

TeTe, does your side have cookies? Carola, I am happy to split this .50 cents with you...

 

[kathryn]

Yikes!
Just what is in those shots: pure gold?

I'm also curious about the pain: years ago, the shots were given through the bellybutton (I think?) and were supposedly very painful. Still so?

 

[sparrow13]

Yikes!
Just what is in those shots: pure gold?

I'm also curious about the pain: years ago, the shots were given through the bellybutton (I think?) and were supposedly very painful. Still so?

Really not painful at all, except in the wallet! The first day shots were in the backside and after that, alternating arms. Just a pinch!

I think one of the reasons they are so expensive is because rabies is so rare...the vaccine is sometimes scarce.

 

[TeTe]

Really not painful at all, except in the wallet! The first day shots were in the backside and after that, alternating arms. Just a pinch!

I think one of the reasons they are so expensive is because rabies is so rare...the vaccine is sometimes scarce.

I knew they'd changed it; I had a friend who had to get them after being bitten by a dog on a street in Bangkok (god only knows what disease THAT dog might have had!)

Good luck to you, Sparrow, and, you're right; no need to worry. I love your starving artist attitude.

 

[Tamrahan]

Years ago around 1995 when I worked for a veterinarian they paid for all of us to get rabies vaccinations since we were at a potentially higher risk of exposure.

I have no idea how much it cost them but I'm wondering if pre exposure vaccinations and post exposure shots are different? We had of series of 3 shots spaced 2 weeks apart in the arm and they were'nt painful.
As tight with money as the veterinarian board was with $$ I can't imagine them forking over $3800.00 for each tech.

 

[syzygy314]

Geez Louise, Sparrow! $3,800??? That's just insane! What are you paying for? The doctor's education? His Porsche?

Anyone up for a car wash, bake sale or something? Dang.

 

[mabdoo]

My daughter had RSV shots and they were $2200 each for 5 months. Unbelievable! They must have something way better than gold in them because even gold doesn't cost as much! I would love to know how they come up with these outrageous amounts. I understand for all of the research etc but holy crap it's expensive.

 

[buffettgirl]

{{Sparrow}} That's crazy.

 

[PhyllisG]

Check to see if you can get any govt. help--you never know. I wonder if your vet would have any suggestions. I only say that because I had my cats in recently for their rabies shots (I had been procrastinating until I read what happened to you) and told him your story. He had one of his own--finding a dead bat on his daughter's pillow one morning. His whole family had to get shots but he didn't because he is routinely vaccinated. I make sure all windows, doors, screens etc are securely closed now in the evening and early morning. I am totally paranoid after your experience. I have to admit--it is more worry about the expense of the shots then the possibility of rabies! So the 2 dogs, the 4 cats are all protected and the rest of us are at risk--go figure. Yes we have a wonderful health care system.

 

[hiitdogs]

I don't want to open another can of worms aka controversial thread but they charge it because they can. Unlike in other countries health care cost here is not regulated, meaning they can charge whatever the heck they want to.

If you then know that most initial research is funded by either government or other non-profit organisation anyway and that drug companies only use 5 to 10 % of their profits for research and over 50 % goes into marketing, I just want to smack someone.

My outpatient biopsy where they kicked me out as soon as I opened my eyes was almost $ 15,000 and that didn't include the surgeon or anestheologist My c-section in Germany was less than what we paid here 3 years later, never mind that in Germany I had a private room, food a la carte, stayed for a week and here I had the room mate from he!!, stayed one night and got soup and jello.

And what gets me even more is that they are charging those who can't afford health insurance anyway even more than people with health insurance because they get "discounts".

Our current health care system just makes me want to pull my hair out

 

[My2girls]

We'll plan to throw ourselves on the mercy of the hospital.

Good idea! I hope they can give you a big discount!!! I am very sorry you have to pay so much even with insurance. We finally got rid of our insurance b/c it was a joke to have such a high deductable (2x yours!) in order to afford the monthly payment. Who has that kind of money!

 

[lori254]

I don't want to open another can of worms aka controversial thread but they charge it because they can. Unlike in other countries health care cost here is not regulated, meaning they can charge whatever the heck they want to.

If you then know that most initial research is funded by either government or other non-profit organisation anyway and that drug companies only use 5 to 10 % of their profits for research and over 50 % goes into marketing, I just want to smack someone.
My outpatient biopsy where they kicked me out as soon as I opened my eyes was almost $ 15,000 and that didn't include the surgeon or anestheologist My c-section in Germany was less than what we paid here 3 years later, never mind that in Germany I had a private room, food a la carte, stayed for a week and here I had the room mate from he!!, stayed one night and got soup and jello.

And what gets me even more is that they are charging those who can't afford health insurance anyway even more than people with health insurance because they get "discounts".

Our current health care system just makes me want to pull my hair out

Curious to know what the bulk of the $$ which goes into research, is research for what? For instance, Viagra seemed to end up quickly on the market, but they can't find a cure for AIDS? Hmmm....Just sayin', as I'm not an expert in pharmaceutical research.

 

[nicolegadino]

That's for a person?! My insurance would cover that, why doesnt yours?

I thought you were talking about shots for a pet! Holy Crap!