After her boyfriend had an accident and ended up in the ER, a caring girlfriend went above and beyond to reduce their whopping $5,000 hospital bill to just $26. But instead of being grateful, her boyfriend was upset, believing she had gone “too far” in her efforts.
Determined to Reduce the Bill
When the girlfriend discovered the hefty bill they were facing even after insurance coverage, she knew it would put a strain on their finances, potentially ruining their upcoming holidays. However, she was determined to dispute the charges and try to lower the cost.
She approached her boyfriend and asked for permission to handle the billing dispute on his behalf, to which he agreed. Little did he know the extent to which she would go to fight the charges and get their bill reduced.
Going Above and Beyond
The girlfriend began her quest for a reduced bill by requesting an itemized statement, carefully comparing each billing code to its fair price. Next, she contacted the billing department, but was quickly redirected to the administration office, seeing no progress.
Unfazed, she decided to take matters into her own hands and get creative. She went on LinkedIn to search for the hospital’s board of directors and upper management. Armed with a list of approximately 30 emails, she dedicated 15 minutes each day to craft detailed messages highlighting the overcharges and expressing her
disappointment with the billing and customer care department.
Success at Last
After meticulously explaining the reasons behind the overcharges and the unsatisfactory service she had received, the girlfriend’s persistence paid off. The hospital agreed to reduce the bill from a staggering $5,000 to a mere $26.
Thrilled with her accomplishment, the girlfriend eagerly shared the good news with her boyfriend. Initially, he was amazed and overjoyed, even calling it a “Christmas miracle.” However, his feelings quickly changed when he realized the extent of her efforts.
A Difference of Opinion
The boyfriend expected his girlfriend to dispute the bill through the hospital’s billing department, not embark on an internet stalking mission to engage with every manager, board member, and investor she could find. He felt that her approach was excessive and unnecessary.
This difference in opinion left the girlfriend feeling frustrated. She had saved them a significant amount of money and had only wanted to give them the best possible outcome. She turned to Reddit for advice, wondering if she had truly gone “too far” in her pursuit of a reduced bill.
Reader Reactions
Upon sharing her story, readers hailed the girlfriend as a hero, impressed by her determination and resourcefulness. Many even suggested she consider pursuing a career as a professional advocate.
Readers were surprised and saddened by the boyfriend’s lack of gratitude and understanding of the immense effort required to challenge such a huge bill. They sympathized with the girlfriend, recognizing the difficulty of overcoming doctors, insurance companies, and uncooperative hospital staff.
The fact that the girlfriend had successfully lowered the bill and yet was met with resentment from her boyfriend left readers puzzled. In fact, many readers who had their own outstanding medical bills begged the girlfriend to share her tips and tricks for fighting unfair charges.
In conclusion, while the girlfriend’s methods may have been unconventional, there is no doubt that her determination and hard work saved them a significant amount of money. The disagreement between the couple serves as a reminder that communication and understanding are key in any relationship, especially during times of financial stress.
