Medical Outlaw

I screwed up. Seven months ago I thought I’d do the responsible thing and get medical insurance. That was a mistake. I saw a doctor a couple of times this winter and had a couple tests done. In America that generates a sizable bill. Having insurance saved me $38. What a scam.

Guess who’s not going to get paid? If you guessed the hospital you are right. If you guessed the insurance company you are also right.

In the past the hospital was very quick to send my bill to collection. They are welcome to do that again. They can only ruin my credit once. After that I don’t worry about it. As for the insurance company, I guess I should have paid closer attention to the micro print.

So what about Medicaid? Some people asked me that question. Too many strings. They attach your house and limit you to one car. Their “help” is good for the hospital but not for the patient.

Medical bills prevent working class people from acquiring generational wealth. My grandparents house was taken to pay their nursing home bills. My own parents went bankrupt from medical expenses. No idea if I’ll be able to leave my kids anything, but I’m going to do my best to see the Medical Industrial Complex doesn’t get it.

-Sixbears

Trump Care

My medical coverage fiasco continues. Years ago I had to let go of my state insurance place when basic coverage for just me reached a thousand dollars a month. That’s a lot of money for someone on a state disability pension.

For a couple years I was on Obama Care. The only claim I made on it in two years was for a yearly checkup. Then that insurance became too expensive and covered too little, so the plan was dropped. In fact, my plan was crappy enough that the company was banned from doing business in the State of New Hampshire.

I paid out of pocket for my doctor’s visits after that. However, when I became hospitalized for nearly a week, the bill was much more than I could handle. For a number of months I tried to come to some sort of agreement with the hospital. They have a plan in place for people without insurance.

The problem with that plan is that to qualify I had to have exhausted Social Security options. What they could never get into their heads was the fact I wasn’t in Social Security. To be fair, most people are, but there are exceptions and I was one of them. Instead of paying into SS I paid into a state plan. NH firefighters were exempt from SS.

Apparently, because of that little glitch, my application for assistance was denied. It would have been nice if they’d told me. After months of dealing with their process they quietly sent my case into collection.

What that means is that I’m now in the Trump Care system. Thanks to the example set by the President I know what to do: not pay my bills. If I have to I’ll declare bankruptcy. After all, like Trump said, it’s just good business. It’s a strangely liberating experience.

I also owe money to the doctors’ offices as they are separate from the hospital. Unlike the hospital, they were quick to come to a payment arrangement with me. I’ve been making monthly payments and will until the bill is paid. I do what I can. However, when what they want is impossible . . . it’s impossible.

-Sixbears

Health Progress

I’m still making headway with my recovery from the leg infection. The leg looks better all the time. Still paying attention to the doctor’s orders. He has me going for short walks three times a day. When not walking, he wants my feet to be elevated. Leg swelling is still an issue, but progress is being made.

Today I’m going back to the hospital for more x-rays. It doesn’t actually have anything to do with my leg infection. This time is for a recurring problem with ingrown toenails. Sometimes it’s painful to walk. The x-rays are to check to see if there are bone spur issues. Since I plan on doing more and more walking, taking good care of my feet is essential.

Might as well get all my doctoring done before the bills come in. Currently none of them have been defaulted on, but that might change. The big bill for my hospital stay hasn’t come in yet. Let’s see if they are able to cut me a deal or not.

-Sixears