“The front desk says her account is frozen.”

Brenda straightened her blue lanyards against her blouse.

She clicked her mouse and pulled up Hannah’s digital file.

“Five weeks ago your husband registered Hannah as a self-pay patient,” Brenda said.

“He checked the box formally declining to use your St.

Jude primary insurance.”

“Why would he turn down our insurance?”

“Because your family plan has a four-thousand-dollar deductible that resets every October,” Brenda said.