Think about this. If you don't have health insurance that $1200

[RB TexLa]

Will pay for like 1.5 days in an ICU room.

I guess they could hook me up for the night and then say "good luck."

[Johnny2X2X]

1. No it won't

I don't know of an ICU unit that costs only $800 a day.

[RB TexLa]

2. Then a few hours and then the "good luck"

It's been more than 10 years since I've been inside of a hospital and that was as a visitor.

[SheltieLover]

3. Probably a couple of hours

Meanwhile, one's family could be evicted, etc., etc., etc. 🤬🤬🤬

[Rorey]

4. Over $10,000 for the first day NT

[RB TexLa]

6. Then I'm on my own if I get to that point.

Oh well.

[Rorey]

7. Few could pay those costs out of pocket

I found that on Researchgate.net.

My husband, prior to the Trump-voting one I divorced last year, was in the ICU for nine days. It was a lot of years ago, and costs are way higher these days. Whatever the case, there's no way I could pay it. I was referred to a program to help with those astronomical bills.

[RB TexLa]

8. As stretched as they are now, it would have to be upfront payment

[Rorey]

9. I don't think so

I think they have to treat you, regardless of your ability to pay, depending on what type of hospital it is.

I honestly don't remember everything from that horrible time. I think the hospital bill itself was covered by some sort of medically indigent program.

[RB TexLa]

10. I have no idea. I've never been admitted to a hospital

I figured if don't have insurance to pay them you write a check or hit the road.

And right now especially, the number of customers they have with insurance both public and private.

[Rorey]

11. My experience

Someone shows up relatively quickly to ask you questions about insurance and such, but you still get treated. There are options to resolve the costs later, but the first priority is to save your life, or resolve your issue.

My husband and I were very poor at the time. He had been in poor health for awhile and I was the only breadwinner. We had four kids. He went to the ER with pneumonia in both lungs. He was admitted, and then that night he was transferred to the ICU. He died nine days later. At no time did anyone badger me about payment, and he was treated respectfully.

If you need care, do go to the hospital. No matter what, your life is what matters the most.

As far as the financial part of my situation went, I ended up having to file for bankruptcy about a year after my husband died. The bills were all medical bills that were incurred prior to when he went to the hospital that final time. I did recover financially, and am doing fine today.

Your life is what matters most.

[Rorey]

13. I just want to add

The level of care that my husband received in the ICU was excellent. In his final hours the nurses were crying with me. All of these years later I'm still touched by their level of compassion. They tried so hard to save him. Money didn't matter.

[RB TexLa]

14. I had no idea it worked like that

[MoonlitKnight]

5. Or if laid off

It might cover a COBRA payment for a month.

Maybe in round four of disaster relief they will make all covid coverage free and pay laid off workers COBRA payments. Better yet, just open Medicare enrollment to the unemployed.

[jimfields33]

12. Not sure why this is being said. Phase 2 was for testing sand coronavirus costs.