My wife, who is only 60 years old, is having hip replacement surgery

[MineralMan]

in a couple of weeks. It's needed, but probably could be delayed. But, she's doing it now because it's hard to say whether it will even be possible in the future. For 2017, she's covered under ACA, through health insurance from the Minnesota Minnsure exchange. There will be a hefty deductible to pay, but it's the same amount as her maximum out of pocket amount for the year, so that will be it for health costs this year, except for the monthly premiums, which qualify for a subsidy that reduces them by almost 50%.

Could she wait until she's eligible for Medicare? Perhaps, but perhaps not, and she's hurting now enough to interfere with her daily life. There's a fair chance, though, that insurance won't be available for her in coming years. She has pre-existing conditions, even beyond an arthritic hip. So, the risk of needing the surgery, but not being able to afford it is part of the reason for going ahead now.

I post this only because many others are in similar situations. If you have a chronic condition that will likely need expensive treatment in the next few years, and you are currently insured, consider having it done this year. There's a strong possibility that you may not be insured in the future, at least for some time. If you wait until treatment is absolutely necessary, but you're uninsured, the cost could bankrupt you or you might have to skip the treatment and continue to suffer.

Nobody wants surgery or some other serious treatment. It sucks, you have to recover, and there are risks. It's a calculation. We've decided to go ahead with this, because the future is uncertain. Now, at least, we know she'll have a hip she can use. If we don't do it and ACA is gone, the surgery might not even be possible down the road.

Think about it, if you're in a similar situation. Weigh the current costs and risks against the possibility of a much worse situation if you can't get insurance. That's the advice I and my wife would like you to think about.

[flamingdem]

1. I agree sadly

this is what it has come to - the system will be overburdened with people getting things dealt with out of fear of loss of insurance.

Trump was blathering about waiting until 2018 - I think the health care giants are letting him know that repeal without replace will kill them financially, and they'll hold him responsible and get the word out

[madaboutharry]

2. All the best and a speedy recovery to Mrs. MineralMan.

I would make the same choice not knowing what is down the road.

[Phoenix61]

3. Sounds like a well thought out plan

Best wishes.

[benld74]

4. Good plan. Well wishes

[TheBlackAdder]

5. Best wishes. Tip: Tell the anesthesiologist that she gets sick with many drugs, they'll give the best

.


No nausea, no cloudy thought, and she'll be able to eat right away.

It's a little more expensive, but they generally comp it or medical will pick up 100%.


.

[sharp_stick]

6. If she needs it don't delay

Not because of insurance but because it will improve the quality of life. Hip and knee replacements now last decades.

I'm 51 and because of rheumatoid arthritis I'm getting a knee replacement next month. I waited until it got to the point where I really needed it. I wish I could have done it earlier.

I hope all goes well. Sending my best thoughts.

[gademocrat7]

7. Wishing Mrs. Mineral Man a speedy recovery.

[iamateacher]

8. Get the surgery

This surgery is not what it used to be. My 86 year old mother who is bent over from 3 back surgeries had it 3 weeks ago. 3 days in the hospital, she looks great. Try to get as much inpatient rehab as you can, more PT sessions. It is now much less complicated than knee replacement.

[BigBearJohn]

9. I just had my own hips replaced and I am so glad I did

I have a strong feeling that she will also have the same result.. I strongly suggest she research a hip replacement material called "oxinium" manufactured by a company called Smith Nephew. This company also provides a service for findng a doctor that uses this material in his surgeries. It lasts way longer than the current materials being used in hip replacements. It is super super strong and doesn't release metal ions into the blood as so many these days do

[Beaverhausen]

10. You make great points. My husband had his replaced at 56 and 57

He's glad he did it. Fortunately I have great insurance. I know how lucky we are.

Best of luck to your wife.

[Laffy Kat]

11. Oh I had it done at 50.

I was fit and trim because I used to walk six miles a day for years. But, alas, joints wear out, and as good of shape as I was in, the right hip was bone on bone. It hurt. So I had a replacement about nine years ago and never looked back. She will feel so much better. It may take six months or so, but she'll be so glad.

[Equinox Moon]

12. Give her a hug from DU.

May the surgery go well with a smooth recovery.

[we can do it]

13. She will be so much better doing it now.

I just had mine done. I'm 57, we moved this summer and I had it done 2 months later. Can't begin to tell you how much better I feel. Please tell her to commit to heart and soul prehab and rehab. Finding great surgeon staff and hospital (not always closest) also key.

[dembotoz]

14. know several folks who have had this done...they pretty much all say they do not know

why they waited as long as they did

give her a hug

[Massacure]

15. Your thought about her waiting until she's eligible for Medicare is probably misguided.

I don't hold the health insurance in high esteem, but unlike Medicare private insurance a maximum amount of money you are expected to pay out of pocket each year.