Final tally
I’m a gambler, so I’m going to total up my medical expense for 2019 24 hours early.
Total billed: $545,589.49
Insurance paid roughly half of that, because they do magic math. I paid $5,539. My out of pocket max is $5500, but there was a dental X-ray they denied and are making me pay for. I suspect it was because it was only something like 360 days since my last one, not 365. Or something similar.
I really want to go on a rant about “health care” in the US. But it’s late, and I’m not feeling up to it. But, do know I’ve been a supporter of single payer for something like 15 years. Since the last time I dealt with this and realized just how fucked up our system is with private, profit motivated companies setting prices. Some people blame doctors, but IME, the doctors are motivated by caring for patients. And it’s not doctors earning $65million/year while denying care.
Speaking of caring doctors. My favorite doctor ever is leaving practice. I tear up thinking about it. Mentally, I’d accepted I’d be seeing him for the rest of my life. But no, it’s only 1 more time. *sob* After lots of stressing about it, I’m going to transfer to University of Maryland. Johns Hopkins is also an option, but I did not have a great experience and I also feel I kinda burned a bridge there. It just seems rude to turn a guy down for treatment and the come back and be like “can I keep you for follow up?” So, I have a couple recommendations an University, and all my other doctors are there anyway. So it makes sense. And the best guy ever agrees.
Total billed: $545,589.49
Insurance paid roughly half of that, because they do magic math. I paid $5,539. My out of pocket max is $5500, but there was a dental X-ray they denied and are making me pay for. I suspect it was because it was only something like 360 days since my last one, not 365. Or something similar.
I really want to go on a rant about “health care” in the US. But it’s late, and I’m not feeling up to it. But, do know I’ve been a supporter of single payer for something like 15 years. Since the last time I dealt with this and realized just how fucked up our system is with private, profit motivated companies setting prices. Some people blame doctors, but IME, the doctors are motivated by caring for patients. And it’s not doctors earning $65million/year while denying care.
Speaking of caring doctors. My favorite doctor ever is leaving practice. I tear up thinking about it. Mentally, I’d accepted I’d be seeing him for the rest of my life. But no, it’s only 1 more time. *sob* After lots of stressing about it, I’m going to transfer to University of Maryland. Johns Hopkins is also an option, but I did not have a great experience and I also feel I kinda burned a bridge there. It just seems rude to turn a guy down for treatment and the come back and be like “can I keep you for follow up?” So, I have a couple recommendations an University, and all my other doctors are there anyway. So it makes sense. And the best guy ever agrees.
