I was 18 at the time, just graduated from High School and got my first job. I was on top of the world. FREEDOM! I was 18 and an adult. I was independent and on my own. I could do whatever I wanted to. It was a great feeling.... BUT it was short lived.
I got sick, very sick and it was sudden. It was only two weeks after starting my new job when I was diagnosed with Lymphoma, a fast growing cancer. How could this happen to me; I was young. I was only 18. No one in my family ever had cancer!
My insurance from work was going to kick in in 30 days, so why buy insurance, was what I thought. I wasn't going to get sick in 30 days, I told myself. I was 18 and healthy and strong. Because I was 18 and not in school, I was no longer covered under my parents health insurance policy.
I had no health insurance and I had a very serious illness. How was I going to pay for cancer treatments? I didn't want to die. I wanted the best doctors. My doctor referred me to the University of Chicago Hospital, which is a well-known hospital for treating cancer patients. Boy this was going to cost me dearly, but what could I do. If I didn't receive treatment or delayed treatment I would surely die.
I use my parents credit card for some of the hospital expenses until their credit cards were maxed out. The rest of the money I owed the hospital. I was able to make arrangements with the Hospital to make monthly payments. It was like buying a car, a very expensive car that took me 10 years to pay off.
Treatment was successful and I was healthy again. However 10 years, was a big chunk of my life that was taken from me. I basically had no life due to the financial burden. I had to live at home in order to save on rent. Almost all the money I made, went to paying off the hospital bills and my parents for the next 10 years. I guess you would say, at least you had your health back again. Don't get me wrong I was very grateful I had my health. There is nothing that is more important than your health. But the debt, due to having no health insurance, left me paralyzed.
I couldn't do the things my friends were doing, going on road trips and vacations, buying fancy sports cars, and having my own apartment. I was young and I could not afford to be young and free.
I was buried in financially debt at 18.
Short-term health insurance for one month would of probably cost me around $100 a month at my age. If I had a temporary health insurance plan in place, I would only have had to pay a deductible plus 20% which I would gladly pay. The insurance company would pay the remaining 80% of my hospital bill. 20% is better than 100% no matter how you look at it.
I was a stupid kid. It is financial suicide to be without health insurance for even a day. The fickle finger of fate can strike anyone at anytime. Remember some insurance is better than none. Check out eHealthInsurance
I hope that reading my story will help someone. I hope that they will not make the same tragic mistake that I did. The emotional and financial heartache I put on my parents and myself was a horrible burden to bare. I hope I can save someone from this burden.
Please reply to my blog and tell me your story.
