Hello all, pls I have a question on behalf of a friend who had her baby December last year. She paid all bills but left without paying the epidural which was billed separately. So she said she called them last week to pay up the bill amounting to about 1500dollars. They told her they no longer have the bill as it's been sent to the debt collectors. She called the debt collectors and was able to pay uo on that day. They said they will send a receipt to her via email. Now her worry is that, she doesn't know if the fact that the bill was sent to d debt collectors will cause problems for her at poe or when ever she wants to renewher visa despite the fact that she has paid it off. I told her I will seek for opinions here

chloe7:
sugah sugah
GTB is too useless they will assure and disappoint, stanbic is still the surest, if you use fidelity too you can try them but my contact there said it's 2k they they giving out now, other banks in the last quarter applied the 197 - $1 rate that is the rate at which I got in march
I hope we are friends now

We were not enemies before na

I know GT is useless but I don't know why im still having small faith in them
I don't have fidelity account o, even the Stanbic and standard Chartered na PTA runs make me open the accounts. Id just keep my fingers crossed to see who calls me first for collection.
Thanks

@ajuju,

Congratulations darlingo n Ur LO and a wonderful advice to blaize 7

@deeuzor,

Na 20 days I state too and am staying 2 months o!! It's well

A friend got from standard chartered last week at 198.

sugah:


You are entitled to 4,000USD every quarter. So if you did not get up to 4k from Stanbic, you can make up the difference at your other collection.

Please has anyone gotten PTA from Standard Chartered or GTbank recently? What was their rates?

Stanbic, standard chat and Gtbank claims they would give me PTA but closer to my travel date next month but only Stanbic has been clear on the rates they offer.

So have been following this thread closely since March, 2016 now it's my turn to start giving back!
To God be the glory as His favor and mercies endureth forever. Thanks to everyone on this thread God bless you. I was brimming with confidence as I practiced all the questions gotten from this thread with my mirror!
DW and I had our visa interview today in Lagos and was approved....My transcript:
VO: pass me your passports please(which I did)
VO: so why are going to the US
ME: to have our baby and vacation
VO: where in US are you heading
ME: Richmond, Texas
VO: why Texas
ME: coz I got good hospital based on reviews and also from my colleague at work who used the hospital
VO: any documents from the hospital and whats your budget for this trip?
ME: yes and answers $16,500 (hands over correspondence and budget sheet)
VO: Does this amount include lodging?
ME: I said yes, its included in the budget sheet (She goes through)
VO: What do you do?
ME: I work at......as...... Attempted to give her letter of introduction from place of work which easily had what I earned but she said never-mind.
VO: Does your company do so and so........
ME: Yes we do
VO: (Now she asked a particular question that has to do with activities of my company)
ME: I was surprised and gladly answers....she smiles...ok
VO: Any financial documents?
ME: Hands over my bank statements
VO: Turns to DW, What do you ma'am
DW: I work at......as......
VO: Is this your first child?
DW: No, our second
VO: When is the baby due?
DW: ....October
VO: (hands me back my docs and gives me the white paper) make sure u pay ur bills and travel with all the documents you have here....ensure you don't collect any aid as they will try and cajole you as this can affect your future visa applications.
ME: thank you very much, enjoy the rest of your day.

Now unto ticket,PTA and other matters

Pls which hospital did you use?

wolefola:
cant find what I posted oo but lemme summarise.Missionary Journey signed sealed and delivered by God's grace.Breakdown of fees below.
doc-1850
hosp-3600(actually 3500 for scheduled cs +100 for material 4 circumcision)
pead at d hos-850(2days visit and circumcision)
Follow up pead-135(got 20% discount so paid 108)
lab 4 baby-43
pku test-25
anesthetics-750

I got a refund if 500 from d hospital cos I was discharged on d 2nd day instead of 3rd.I was also able to get a return ticket (airfrance) 4 d baby at d airport for 143 with Gods intervention,of which dey charged me a little over 372 on phone wen I called to make reservation. Thanks to God and everyone.

temmyo:
A friend got from standard chartered last week at 198.

Wow really? Abeg how long did it take your friend to get it?

just remembered that I didn't post that they didn't give me a time stamp at the POE when I got in. Fear first of all catch me when I noticed it, the speed I used in calling my DH as he is a more frequent traveller than I, the man just dey laugh me, says it happens. una been no warn me about that one o!

Thanks a lot.

Still waiting for LA recommendations. Especially around the Fontana area.

Only recommendation I have seen since is Dr Mbagwu at the St Francis hospital.

Popri:


Beautiful transcript well typed..
Calmness and patience:very important, it's truly a mental game
Wish u safe delivery and enjoy the sunshine

.

Popri:


Beautiful transcript well typed..
Calmness and patience:very important, it's truly a mental game
Wish u safe delivery and enjoy the sunshine

Gtbank PTA is very tight at the moment. They gave a former staff just $2k at N199 few days ago.

sugah:


You are entitled to 4,000USD every quarter. So if you did not get up to 4k from Stanbic, you can make up the difference at your other collection.

Please has anyone gotten PTA from Standard Chartered or GTbank recently? What was their rates?

Stanbic, standard chat and Gtbank claims they would give me PTA but closer to my travel date next month but only Stanbic has been clear on the rates they offer.

Hi TOKNOW,

I think Wolefola used Houston NorthWest!

TOKNOW:
Pls which hospital did you use?

aye88:
Hello all, pls I have a question on behalf of a friend who had her baby December last year. She paid all bills but left without paying the epidural which was billed separately. So she said she called them last week to pay up the bill amounting to about 1500dollars. They told her they no longer have the bill as it's been sent to the debt collectors. She called the debt collectors and was able to pay uo on that day. They said they will send a receipt to her via email. Now her worry is that, she doesn't know if the fact that the bill was sent to d debt collectors will cause problems for her at poe or when ever she wants to renewher visa despite the fact that she has paid it off. I told her I will seek for opinions here

No, I had the same issue and even renewed my visa before paying the bill. I realized I had an unpaid bill when a friend brought mails from the US.
Although I was able to pay the hospital directly not debt collectors.
Also no questions asked at POE.

emjayfay:

Gtbank PTA is very tight at the moment. They gave a former staff just $2k at N199 few days ago.

Former staff of Gtbank? Only 2k? Na wa!
My account manager claims they are attending to people traveling in June first before they attend to others.
Im keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks

wolefola:
cant find what I posted oo but lemme summarise.Missionary Journey signed sealed and delivered by God's grace.Breakdown of fees below.
doc-1850
hosp-3600(actually 3500 for scheduled cs +100 for material 4 circumcision)
pead at d hos-850(2days visit and circumcision)
Follow up pead-135(got 20% discount so paid 108)
lab 4 baby-43
pku test-25
anesthetics-750

I got a refund if 500 from d hospital cos I was discharged on d 2nd day instead of 3rd.I was also able to get a return ticket (airfrance) 4 d baby at d airport for 143 with Gods intervention,of which dey charged me a little over 372 on phone wen I called to make reservation. Thanks to God and everyone.

Hello, please what's the name of your hospital and doctor , and what city?
Thanks

Beryl15:

No, I had the same issue and even renewed my visa before paying the bill. I realized I had an unpaid bill when a friend brought mails from the US.
Although I was able to pay the hospital directly not debt collectors.
Also no questions asked at POE.

That is the main koko she is asking about. Her bill was already sent to debt collectors.

Mamas,please how much to process Nigeria visa via the normal way without using an agent.. I am confused oo.
Those who did it the normal way should pls explain...
Thanks

Well said!

@ Blaize, just relax, all is well

Ajujuju2:



Hmmmmmm!!!

Let me start by saying Your help comes from the Lord. Always remember psalm 121.

I do not think that a structed payment plan will affect your holidays or visas. However because of the sensitivity of the subject matter, and in other to protect you from future harassments, if I may give some suggestions, I will advice that you do the following:

A) get some proof for the original payments made to the hospital inaddition to the other zero balance documents you have collected
B) get a report stating reason for upsurge in bill, (this may help show that the outstanding balance was not reasonably forseeable and therefore not intentionally owed)
C) get a written payment plan stating amounts to be paid per month, dates and modes of payment agreed and have it signed by all parties including you/hubby. This is because, a written agreement is easier to prove...shows a commitment

All suggestions are subject to additional comments.

Please be proud of yourselves...you both have held strong through it all and am glad your hubby can find humour in it too.

This too shall pass.

sugah:


We were not enemies before na

I know GT is useless but I don't know why im still having small faith in them
I don't have fidelity account o, even the Stanbic and standard Chartered na PTA runs make me open the accounts. Id just keep my fingers crossed to see who calls me first for collection.
Thanks

if GTB gives you i'm going for thanksgiving, I think you should use your energy more towards stanbic and standard chartered, all the best with the pta runs

Hi all, want to give back and so you dont make some mistakes i made too. lol

Gave birth at Northside hospital. i give God the glory. my obgyn was Dr dodder she was so encouraging during all the pain and accurately predicted my labour day which was obviously different from my due date. nice huh!

Hospital bill advance pay -3550 got additional 226 bill ( They didn't explain much but i guess i would prefer to reject the nursery and ask more questions next time)

Epidural - 3000 with 25% discount 2250 (Didn't expect to pay this much, if i knew it would come down to this i would have chopped the pain like that lol. North side anesthesiologist which is separate from the hospital

Obgyn- used North Atlanta Obgyn - charged 2200 and used my Nigerian lab test which you have to insist on

pediatrician- used Children's care pediatrics, Dr John M. Thomas- first and second visit at the hospital cost 115 after discounts. subsequent visits were made which are at your discretion and you pay for each visit.

infant ticket -363 united airline paid over the phone (paying at the airport may b cheaper)
Us passport -105 plus 60 expedited ( if you have almost 3 weeks b4 you leave, just use the normal route. dont pay for expedited) my brother got his in 2 weeks one day.

Naija passport is cheaper than getting a visa. its 77 plus 30 processing fee. if you want it same day you pay 65 more.There are agents at the embassy that charge 28 to help you make payment. also go with a prepaid postage envelope if you want it mailed to you so you dont ve to go back for pick up and keep the tracking numbers.

Hep b vaccine can b taken at birth or at the ped. pls ensure you get yours.

Thanks all. please google for phone numbers and safe delivery to other mums.signing out.

ijeomaobi1:
@bubelahot,

From my well furnished archive, I share with great love.
Online Nigerian passport New York

http://www.nigeriahouse.com/visaapplication.aspx

Thanks dear! !!!

sugah:


Wow really? Abeg how long did it take your friend to get it?

I don't know, I didn't ask. But he had to keep like 250k or more in the account for a while cos he just opened it. so I think the money was there for like a week till j e got the PTA and travelled.

chloe7:
if GTB gives you i'm going for thanksgiving, I think you should use your energy more towards stanbic and standard chartered, all the best with the pta runs

Lol@ Thanksgiving.
Will do, thanks.

temmyo:

Thanks dear

Dear All, I have been following this trend . Just want to share my Poe experience. My Poe was jfk. It was smooth and no questions .

Wow!! Awesome testimony...especially at POE and price-wise! Just stumbled on it and i'm tapping unto this testimony..loadz of congrats!! God bless your LO!

cutelass:
Guess I've rested enough. Here's my story. About 10 days before my travel date, swelling on my legs which had always been minimal increased so much. Even after raising the legs up at night, the moment my feet touches ground in the morning the swelling returns. 3 days before my travel, I used the home bp monitor to check my bp and it was ranging btw 140/80 and 145/85. I immediately drove to hospital. Nurse on duty checked with the manual bp monitor and another young dr checked and it was still high. They had to call my consultant. He ordered they check my urine for protein and nothing came up...he eventually came himself, checked the bp and said it was normal.

3 days later I travelled with Lufthansa on a united ticket at 34 weeks + some days. Requested for wheelchair and they said since I brought fit to fly I can't use wheel chair. I was shocked cos several pple here have used wheelchair. They agreed to book for my mum cos of her arthritis yet we didn't see any wheelchair neither at Frankfurt nor LAX. We flew to Frankfurt and had a 4 hrs layover b4 we flew to LAX. All the while, my mum was so worried about the swelling.

POE was a breeze.
Cbp: what are you here for?
Me: childbirth
Cbp: ok. How long are u here for?
Me: 2 months
Cbp: sorry, what did u say u are here for again?
Me: childbirth, delivery, to have my baby (lol...that's d type of confidence saying the truth at the embassy gives u)
Took our finger prints and stamps us in for 6 months.

We went to agriculture...the officer was busy shouting to the guy scanning the bags...Nigeria, Nigeria, lol...our bags were scanned but we weren't asked to open it.

When we got to my aunty's house...the legs had tripled in size and she insisted I see the dr immediately ( my appt wasn't till another 4 days). We called his office and luckily he was still around...said they close at 5pm. It was already 4pm...so without eating or anything...they drove us to the dr office. My relations went in to greet him (they had known him for a long time) I had no idea, while I filled out the forms. When I saw the dr, my bp had shot up to 159/100. He told me point blank to head straight to the hospital as I had developed pre-eclampsia and baby had to be induced immediately. He said the financial dept would have closed for the day and they don't open weekends...so we had only the next day to pay and sign the contract...cos if I deliver without signing it...I would be left with a bill of over $40k. Got to the hospital and was admitted. Was placed on magnesium IV to prevent seizure...while they ran tests...the same ones I would have done with the doctor's office.

Next day my mum sorted the bills...while they brought the papers for me to fill...despite the induction starting Thursday night...i didn't deliver till almost mid day Saturday...cervix no gree dilate till...was almost heading to OR for c-section b4 LO came forth...I hadn't eaten in almost 48 hrs...day said no food, no water...was just allowed to chew ice...where the strength to push came from...I don't know.

The main testimony is that LO didn't need to go to NICU...was almost peeing in my pant when the thought of it came to my mind...cos of bills...she was just in the nursery...they did hearing test...checked for jaundice...was later discharged. LO is 3 weeks old currently.

Used st Francis medical center and dr. Mb---u. Hospital bill $2700 for vag. Delivery (includes paediatrician, epidural (the thing wore off towards the actual delivery). Stayed an extra day which cost $900 (covers both me and baby). Hospital gives free stroller. I've gotten zero balance.

Dr fees had always been 1500 and 2500 for vag and csection respectively. When I got here...saw it was now 1000 and 1300...was told the dr considered the current economic situation in Nigeria and decided to slash his self-pay fees. Hmmm...Angels still dey dis earth Shaa.

Since baby came early, wanted to shift my date but United wants an arm and a leg just to change date...I'm chilling (mum is here with me, hubby is coming, wonderful host...no need to run home)

Hi Wolefola,
Congrats on the success of ur missionary
journey!
Please, kindly pm me the details of the
doctor and accommodation that you used.
Also, is the hospital good becos someone
gave me negative reviews about them?
That someone was trying to sell her
maternity package to me which included
hospital+doc reg, acc, transp, weekly
grocery shopping et al!
Which airline did you book ur flight with?
KLM/Airfrance?
Also, how long did it take you to process
all the docs for ur baby?
Thanks.

I used Houston northwest and I used dr xydas.The hospital is very okay mind u am not really the type dat expect s too much oo so it depends on u but its really ok.Well dnt understand what u mean by maternity package oo what d hospital have for sef paying patient or the uninsured is called miracle moment and it just for ur hospital stay nothing else included.You pay ur doc separately,anaesthetic ,pead etc u must use pead group during ur stay in d hospital and dey also refer u to dia anaesthetic who will give u bill separately.I stayed with my family,booked airfrance,finished all d baby document in less dan 3weeks.I had him on 6th of may and am back in naija.

missexiest:
In d spirit of giving back,I left abuja on turkish airlines 3 weeks ago.I was able to get pta of 8k dollars from unity bank caused my mum also applied for pta.I wasnt asked for fit to fly, the journey with turkish was smooth n long.My poe was new york and I was directed to use the self service machines and after scanning my passport I got a paper with my details on it and was directed to an immigration officer who didnt have a computer system,he asked me why am in the us and I told him childbirth then he asked for the last time I was in the us and I told him then he stamped me in till october and was asked to go.I picked up my box and wasnt sent to secondary inspection.Am presently in maryland but the prices have been getting are on the high side.Porting to virginia which is way cheaper..

Hi Missexiest! Please did you get to find an affordable hospital/doctor in virginia? If yes, please can you help with name and contact details? Thank you.

tobi12345:
Dear All, I have been following this trend . Just want to share my Poe experience. My Poe was jfk. It was smooth and no questions .

Congrats and best of luck. Safest delivery to you.

Good day everyone,
Have been reading through the trend and I want to say thanks to everyone that contributes
Please am filling my B2 form and am confused about who is sponsoring my trip, although my husband who has his own business is sponsoring my trip but he has a lot of money in his business account more than his personal account, my question is : should I fill in his company/organisation as my sponsor and take a later from the company stating he is the owner and will be sponsoring and also the certificate of his ownership or should I take is personal bank statement for the interview?
Thanks

Thanks Wolefola for your reply. Had the gut feeling you used Dr Xydas! Xydas and Zimmerman charge less than the dr that I contacted so I am porting. Return ticket is abt 450K now on Emirates which I am yet to book even though I am still looking for an affordable acc. My family friends dnt live in Texas and I dnt want to change my POE to New England/Atlanta where I have pple.

wolefola:
Hi Wolefola,
Congrats on the success of ur missionary
journey!
Please, kindly pm me the details of the
doctor and accommodation that you used.
Also, is the hospital good becos someone
gave me negative reviews about them?
That someone was trying to sell her
maternity package to me which included
hospital+doc reg, acc, transp, weekly
grocery shopping et al!
Which airline did you book ur flight with?
KLM/Airfrance?
Also, how long did it take you to process
all the docs for ur baby?
Thanks.

I used Houston northwest and I used dr xydas.The hospital is very okay mind u am not really the type dat expect s too much oo so it depends on u but its really ok.Well dnt understand what u mean by maternity package oo what d hospital have for sef paying patient or the uninsured is called miracle moment and it just for ur hospital stay nothing else included.You pay ur doc separately,anaesthetic ,pead etc u must use pead group during ur stay in d hospital and dey also refer u to dia anaesthetic who will give u bill separately.I stayed with my family,booked airfrance,finished all d baby document in less dan 3weeks.I had him on 6th of may and am back in naija.