Reply #70: Been here, done this. [View All]

[The Midway Rebel]

In short. Out bicycling, shattered clavicle, two ribs, nondisplaced fracture of c-7 vertabrae, no insurance at all. ER 90 minutes, x-rays, CT scan, expert diagnosis, "that looks like it hurts, have some morphine and see you later here is your coat, you really should see a orthopedic surgeon for that bone sticking out there and a neurologist for that spinal cord injuruy OK see ya' bye!"

Had no money for further care, so I soldiered through and hoped for the best. It was the worst pain of my life...for weeks. My left hand index finger is still numb from the SCI and the wreck was 16 months ago.

After reading your story and being aware of mine and hundreds of others, I feel lucky.

My bill was divided between the ER docs, the hospital, the X-ray comapny and the CT machine company. Grand total was over 7K.

I started a letter to plead for charity that the hospital offered. I hate begging so, I got on the phone and negotiated with AR instead. I got a 2k discount for being uninsured and set up a payment plan of 75 bucks a month with no accruing interest on the debt. Got a statement today and I have them payed down to 3k.

I learned two things from my experince.

1. I am too old for cyclocross racing.

2. With or without insurance, the health care system in America is a godamn racket.

(No offense intended to those who truly labor and serve humanity in the health care field.)

Yup...I feel lucky.