Recently, I developed severe pain in my gut unlike pain I have ever felt before. Now mind you, I hate going to doctors. My wife is quick to say that my primary physician is the Emergency Room. Well, by 2:00AM the following morning, I had to give in to my wife’s strong requests and I let her take me to the ER at the local hospital.
After hours of waiting followed by numerous tests, I was diagnosed with Pancreatitis brought on by a faulty gall bladder. So, for only the second time in my life (the first being to have my tonsils removed at age 9) I was admitted into the hospital.
I proceeded to get better, then worse, ultimately leading to a stay in the CCU. Pretty serious stuff. Finally, I progressed to the point where I was able to be released 10 days later.
Here is the point. I have no idea what my stay will cost. I had three CT scans. More blood tests than I can count. Numerous other unknown tests. A procedure to install a pick IV line. Countless painkillers and other medications. And the list goes on.
My guess is that itwill push $100,000, if not more.
Fortunately, I have health insurance so I am covered for practically the entire bill, but what if I didn’t?
Health related issues was one of the main reasons I have had customers over the years. Many were dealing with debt incurred from an illness. Some battled the affects of being out of work. While others were trying to juggle the costs of ongoing medications and procedures for a chronic situation.
And the situation gets worse every day. The cost of health care continues to go up making it out of reach for businesses to cover employees and individuals to cover their families. Tens of millions of people are uninsured in the US today leaving them one incident away from being deep in debt.
This issue has not gone unnoticed, but unfortunately, the ones that are noticing are only seeking to profit.
Huge financial companies like General Electric, Citigroup, and Capital One are stepping in and offering to finance the debt so you won’t have to owe the hospital or medical provider money.