Sad how fast you can lose your home, vehicles, and savings in today's world

I know this is way out there, but i wanted to share this with someone. I was recently talking to a friend of mine who works her tail off, owns an average size home, 2 cars, 2 kids. Everything is great and then her husband starts having medical issues ( he has worked all his life and is a vet) and her son has to have a knee replaced. In an instant they went from a comfortable lifestyle to flat broke from medical costs. It's crazy how fast you can lose everything and go broke, all while being a productive member of society and a tax payer.

Happened to another friends' sister's husband, man worked all his life and developed something with his lungs that has cost them thousands. Forced them to sell personal belonging just to make ends up. Just like that. In an instant.

I would love to hear other's stories of what they went through and did you rebound and get back on your feet. Whether it's you, someone in your family, a friends, anyone.

Sometimes its a wake up call. Why did i post this? because i am in a similar situation. i am the hard working guy with a family, and we got hit with hard medical bills. It's depressing when you spend your entire life working only to lose everything you saved up in an instant. Not looking for sympathy, just wanted everyone to be thankful for what you do have.

Feel free to share your stories.

 

I'm by no means trying to make this into a political discussion, but stories like the one you just shared are one of the the reasons I really want our healthcare system revamped (everyone deserves medical care).

People will find a way to exploit any system, but hardworking families lose their financial stability every day due to medical-related reasons. It sucks. I'm on a medication that coats about $5k per infusion. I've always been lucky enough to have health insurance but what if I got hurt? I can't go without the medication so ultimately I'll end up in debt the rest of my life.

 

We are supposedly the richest country in the world.
We are the Klingon, that's what we are.
We are good at war, not taking care of our own people.

 

Mortgage = $1436

Monthly Healthcare Premium for a Family = $1300............ that is not a sustainable reality

 

Healthcare costs are insane. Idk what the solution is. I feel for people who work and end up in a situation that's no fault of their own.

 

I had a minor medical issue last January that put me in the ER for a few hours. They did basic tests, and gave me two I V bags. I spent five minutes with a doctor and was sent home. Total cost to my insurance was $6,600 and my out of pocket was $1,300. Insane! I remember when a visit to the ER would cost me almost nothing. Something's gotta change.

 

One of the biggest reasons folks declare Bankruptcy is medical bills.
I blame jackpot juries in malpractice cases and lawyers.

 

I had an echocardiogram done and my OOP was $1300......just like that.....not counting future ones and meds.

 

Sad that we take care of illegal aliens but not our own.
I use the VA myself no other insurance.

Shame Americans have to live in fear of falling ill and losing everything.

 

agreed

 

Want that medical cost lower? Then pay the $1300 into taxes and get substandard healthcare for it. Thats how it works in many of "those countries", where your income tax is 50%, VAT is 17%, and you have to buy private medical insurance on top of free healthcare because it sucks so much.

 

My dad travels to the Philippines a handful of times a year, maybe 5 years ago he started getting an infection in his left hand that if left untreated turned into blood poisoning, which is why we went to the ER in the first place, costing $5k plus. This happens to him once a year now, and luckily we know what is causing this now. Well when he was in the philipines it sprung up again. So he went to the ER, he got treated by an American doctor, and payed $300 out the door including medications, no insurance.

Makes me wonder if doctors in america charge what they charge because they know insurance will pay it. but im no expert

 

this is why i save save save and save some more and never feel like i have disposable income. Im not saying that other did not have savings or did not do the correct thing because it seems they did, but yes it is scary to see how fast it can all disappear in an istant

 

Always contact the medical company and work out a payment plan. If you can only afford $10 A month tell them. You need to be able to afford food and shelter before they get their money

 

good advice

 

Similar thing happen to me.
ER is a major rip off.

 

currently happening to a coworker of mine. sucks

 

That's just one of the nice things about living in Canada! Seriously, nobody should have to go through that shit!

 

Sounds like great reasons to come out with a healthcare company that competes with others legitimately based on price. Lower prices, everybody all of a sudden wants to buy all their meds from you instead of from Martin Shkreli and all the other jackasses that have the pharmaceutical industry basically cornered.

 

Why is it substandard?

If all health insurance is funded by tax money then everyone gets healthcare. Yea taxes will go up but on the flip side no more premiums or stupid costs for essential needs like a trip to the ER.