₦airaland Forum

Please can a Nigerian on a Super Visa/Grandma visa in Canada, apply for a visitor visa to USA from Canada

sunshine5050:
I have been a silent reader and was able to get most of the info I needed for my missionary journey from here. Thanks to all. My current challenge is that I had my baby girl at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston on 27 of Dec 2016 and the bills I'm getting are quite on the high side compared to what I heard about the hospital and compared to other hospitals. Please please please anyone that has successfully used this hospital kindly help me on how to go about the bills. Thanks.

Hi mum

mamacajah:
@ladee1, first of all Congratulations on the safe arrival and delivery of your babies. May they always bring you joy in your home.

Now I am going to say some harsh truths, and I hope you accept them in love.

First of all, when old timers on this thread say read the previous parts, there is always a reason. I looked at all your posts and over 90% of them were all you requesting for help, indicating that you had not read enough or researched enough. If indeed you had, you would have known that all the discounts being discussed here are based on payments before delivery and not after delivery. You say moms here told you Ben taub was 5k, you also said you called the hospital and was told final bill will be discussed after delivery. Most of the information here are obtained by phone calls, correspondence but also negotiations which are not done over the phone but physically. Some moms here had to travel down quite early and comb the streets looking for a suitable deal package before settling on a hospital. Secondly you traveled with multiple pregnancy at 36 weeks, despite several posts all over the thread advising mums to travel latest 34 weeks (for single pregnancy) or 28 weeks (multiple pregnancies) to avoid complications . Yes you were fit all through your pregnancy, but delivering a day after arrival shows the babies were stressed and the hospital views you as an emergency delivery and not a planned delivery. If you had traveled earlier, negotiated payment terms, paid and then gone to the hospital to deliver, you would get the discounted fee.

However, there is always a way out, let your husband go to the Financial Dept, speak to the head of the team and negotiate the price down, tell them you are self pay and not using medicaid or WIC. Insist on a reduction and if the final fee is above your budget for now, then enter into a payment plan agreement that spreads the payments over time. Ensure you keep to the terms and try to pay it off, so that it won't affect your future visa renewal applications.


Wishing you all the best.

Thanks

MamaOO:
This is the eligibility page for WIC Texas and you clearly don't qualify as you're not resident in the US or Texas itself and do not make income in the US. You've clearly made up your mind about accepting both Medicaid and WIC like nefertitiram said above. You don't need our input. Good luck with your future visa renewals ma'am.

If I have my mind made up I won't be here asking questions, we are seeking clarification where there are grey areas, it's confusing cos the WIC office in texas requested for details of the family member am staying with and how much she earns etc. I remember how change of intent letter was the only saving grace for the Nigerian I boarded flight with, matters like this should be discussed so others can learn and do what is right #notmakingconclusionorcastingblames# Thanks

MamaOO:
Mom that wants to use WIC because it's stated on the Us.gov website. WIC is not for you. You don't live or pay taxes in the US. This is the WIC eligibility link for California https://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/wicworks/Pages/WICEligibilityAssessment01.aspx
Once it asks you if you live in CA and you indicate that you don't live here, it tells you, "You're not eligible"

Unfortunately at WIC office in Houston, we were told visitors are eligible

Bisoye82:
Firstly congratulations on the birth of your babies.
As a twin mum why would you leave the issue of bill inconclusive and I believed you read a good portion of this thread before embarking on this journey.
You are supposed to have an idea of any and every kind of bill that could come up.
Then travelling at 36 weeks with multiple pregnancy is super crazy(crazy being the nicest word I could up with)because I could barely walk to the bathroom not to talk of flying and I was just holding on for hubby to come because even my Dr was ready and every single vein/part of me was already overstretched
I also remembered you were asking loads of questions before you travelled and still wait for the hospital to slap you with a bill of $24k and now you want to be knocking on financial counsellor door while you are supposed to be resting and be enjoying your babies
My point is madam your planning is not optimal at all.
As for WIC and Medicaid,honestly I don't believe it's automatic(other mama's pls correct me if am wrong) because you definitely have to fill and sign a form first
I remember I was asked/offered when I went for the hospital tour and also the paed mentioned it but I said no.
So basically the ball is in your court to do what's right by you and your family.
Congratulations once again

Thanks, however I was super fit till my delivery date, and my doc hubby was on board. it was the positioning of the babies that made me deliver the next day! As for WIC, it's stated on US site and as such shouldn't affect visa Renewal, don't know about Medicaid though. As for the Hosp bills, I got info on here from mamas that have used the hospital that they paid $5k, the decision to use the hospital was not out of research, I maintained I didn't remember signing any Medicaid form was surprised when I was told the babies got it. Appreciate ur input

sugah:
Ben Taub is a county hospital...And from what I know about county hospitals the reduced bill ONLY applies if you sign a contract prior to receiving medical care. So did you sign your reduced bill package contact before your delivery?

Never knew anything like that existed

gidey:
Then simply speak with the financial counselors and let them know you are self pay, they most likely billing you like insurance, insist you are self pay and show the previous bill you were given before you appointment. I believe they would reduce it for you.

Thanks unfortunately they don't give bills prior to delivery, it was over the phone! It was also mentioned that I can't start negotiation until the final bill is out in 30days

gidey:
Did you pay your hospital bill before delivery, I contacted a hospital who told me the self pay discount only applicable if your bill paid before delivery, if not hospital bill for self pay meant to be 3500 increases to 18k. Next time you plan your trip well to have time to settle in because you may have been treated a s emergency, making your bill high. All the best as you try to sort your bill and don't bother using medicaid or kiss your renewal goodbye.

I was told I can't pay until I deliver, I had an appointment at the hospital same day I did the surgery due to the scan result as such don't think it's an emergency, am not going near Medicaid at all but for WIC, it's on US.gov site that it's ok to benefit from it, that's why am seeking clarification. Thanks for the wishes

Thanks to the wonderful e family, travelled at 36weeks, 24 hours in the air, no single questions asked at Poe, hubby, me, mum and toddler stamped for six months, delivered babies the next day, no jaundice, no need for incubator or transfusion. To God be the glory. Was presented a bill of $24k at Ben Taub. Pls does anyone know how I can go about the negotiate, learnt once I pay any amount out of it I can get an account statement, babies were also registered automatically for Medicaid and WIC, can I use the WIC card and Medicaid cos I don't want any issues with my visa renewal. Pls I need help on how to go about the WIC and Hosp bills negotiation.

Please i want to find out if its a crime to use govt hosp for birthing where delivery fees are subsidized? Has any one had issue at houston poe based on visit visa used for birthing with change of intent letter?

chichi93:
Hi guys. Abv been a silent reader for some time! Please am a July mum and DH and I are on a tight budget for our missionary journey. Please I need options for very affordable hospitals (less than $5k for all d hidden and unhidden hospital bills) nd accommodation so that I can see the one I wld use and shop for baby Biko! Any additional tip wld help. Am considering Houston for now but if Deres a cheaper state, am open! Thanks!

Please share this info with me when u have it

mumzt:
Good development. Dollar will crash soon. Bank rate is 316. And gbp is 396.

Amen!

Pls which Bank is 316/#

Hi Mamas, nobody is commenting on cheap hospital and doctors in houston, i only know about Chicago but Ticket was booked to houston due to accommodation. Please help!!

reniduke:
Lader im looking fornone as well-500-600 even. If u or I see a two bedroom that we can share

Pls lets chat, i saw one

lomwe:
I ve got for $700/month in Richmond. Pm if interested

Pls pm me the details, 700 Is still high thou

blue355:
Congrats @nneka3000. Please i need doctors details

Pls what's d full bill for CS and doc's contact? Does d hospital have an email?

Pls does any one have contact for accommodation in oakbend Houston for 400 or 500$/month. Pls help a sis. Pls pm me

Dwebb55:
I've seen recent posts from people stating that they got their visas for visitation but will not use them for that purpose but for childbirth. If you knowingly misled the VO's in your application, you're not only putting yourself but others in a complicated situation. Let's be guided and truthful in our applications. It's not illegal to give birth in the US(yet)

Truly what If I didn't know and I wrote change of Intent and my mum got her visa on my visa afterwards. It is not a crime

Does that mean i can only go to travelex to buy on My travel date

Pls who knows if travelex is selling PTA or how else can i get dollars

Shawbabe:
eh??

Chai. I haven't been logging in, just dod yesterday to make sure this trump madness wasn't affecting mamas, then thought to ask for tickets. What airline was this? Pls na who can help me with cheap deals for 2 adults and infant too? Chei

What period did your friend buy and which airline, cos Turkish promo was for 2 days previous week @220 for travel dates in Apr. Do u have info on any other cheap tickets

zitaspears:
Pls is anyone in houstoneed that is using HNMC and Dr Xydas
I am interested in sharing accomodation because I don't want to be bored and of cause to also reduce costs. I will be travelling in March 2 and arrive March 3. Pls guys let's hook up

Please am interested in d accommodation too how many rooms and how much. What is ur bill xydas and hnmc

blaize777:
Hello house pls with dis dollar rate Wats d cheapest hospital in houston now and amt both doctor and hospital bills

Please I need this details too, if you get any u can reach me at lade4u2002@yahoo.com

freshdad:
a friend's wife used them and they assign a doctor for you. All bills usually under 5k (CS would make it get to 5k). thats all I know

Please can u help with d friends contact

Sophiamax16:
Good morning , March mum's Pls let's hook up. Those in Houston. Don't want to be bored..

Which Hosp and accommodation r u using

freshdad:
it has ended... It seems it was a 2 day thing

Pls I need cheap tickets too

emeraldbabe24:
Hello Chiprettie; Thanks for this info; Please, am interested o;
I sent you an email already; you can send a reply to that email address.
Thank you.

Am interested too

Thanks everyone on this wonderful forum, My Mum was able to get 2 year visa today with ur impactful advices, no serious questions asked, please i still need hosp/doc fee for ben taub hosp or other govt hospital

freshdad:
a friend's wife used them and they assign a doctor for you. All bills usually under 5k (CS would make it get to 5k). thats all I know

Thanks a lot freshdad, can you help me with ur contact or the person's contact. My e-mail is Lade4u2002@yahoo.com