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Old 06-25-2017, 04:15 AM  
Paul Markham
Too old to care
 
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: On the sofa, watching TV or doing my jigsaws.
Posts: 52,943
Quote:
Originally Posted by Barry-xlovecam View Post
I can afford $20K for an appendectomy. Sorry, you can't.
I wouldn't be happy about it. I had minor elbow nerve canal surgery -- was released the same day $7,400 was the price discounted contract with insurance.
I don't have a real problem with a high deductible -- within reason.
If you need major surgery or some longer term treatment like for cancer -- that can cost over $1 million. Insurance is paying a premium for risk transfer. The risks cost what they do.

If you can buy into Medicare early -- it costs like $425 /mo Dialysis patients, SSI disability. The same coverage on the private market would cost me $700 - $800 /mo with the same deductibles -- that how I know it would cost less.

Miraculously, the same prescription drugs I have to take daily dropped from $1,450 to $600/yr -- same type meds over 3 years -- combination of ACA and off-patent generics.
Since 2008 I've had cancer treatment and continual monitoring. Now I have 40% kidney function and will need dialysis in the future, then a bypass and maybe a kidney transplant. The cost to me. I paid for healthcare all my life to the government so it's now free at the point of delivery.

Up until 2008, I paid a percentage of my income every week so that when the shit hit the fan I was not charged horrendous prices.

The same has to be done for nursing care. Pay a small percentage of your income so when you get old you can be cared for and not have to break into your savings. Or get the young to pay.
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