Birthdays and $$$

[rootbeer1]

Happy birthday to all the friends here who have birthdays this month: f8n_begorra, pauliebearsf, hardybear, bvig01, uberdude, bearizona, pagerbear, poohbearjim, jonbear69, allanh, xlgmeat, red_goatee, brianpdx, fatherbear, bikerbearmark, wet_in_sf, howbearca, sgtchuck, musclemedic911, savoirbear, cornekopia, and irc_goliath. Special kudos to our good friend Jim, who will be celebrating his 40th this month; to Barry, who has brightened my isolation at home, even from a thousand miles away; to Peter, one of my favorite squaredancing partners; and to George, who has been so friendly and encouraging. Actually, kudos to all of you -- you are all wonderful people, and I hope your birthdays are filled with laughs, happiness and cake.

* * *

OK, imagine this... You fall and break a leg. You go to the doctor, who fixes it. You spend a few days in the hospital, then you come home, to recover.

Two months later, you receive a note from your insurance company about how much this broken leg has cost, in doctor and hospital bills. What is this amount?

[Poll #626065]

Vote before you see the answer, which is



Approximately $72,500 so far. Thank God for insurance!

Comments

[sonoranbear.livejournal.com]

Wow. I knew you had some surgical intervention as well but I had no idea that the expense would be so great!

I just spent five days in the hospital myself and you could practically hear a meter running in the background. I'll be surprised if there's not a charge for the 'Moist Towelette' they tucked into every meal.

Thank God for insurance, indeed! I've got suplimental AFLAC coverage too that should make up for the deductible.. but the medications and aftercare are where I'm still gonna get stung.

Here's to improved health for you and me both, bud!

[fuzzygruf.livejournal.com]

Yay, I guessed correctly. Must be that I know someone else with surgery done at the same time in the same hospital!

We might stop by this afternoon for a few minutes. We'll call first if we do.

[rootbeer1.livejournal.com]

Jack will be here, but I may not be ... foodpoisoningsf is taking me out to Crissy Field! Yay, my first daytime, non-medical, non-grocery-shopping outing in two months!

Crissy Field

[fuzzygruf.livejournal.com]

Have fun today! If he brings a frisbee, don't go around chasing it. Save that for later. And remember, leash laws are in effect!!!

Maybe we'll have a chance to stop by to see you another time.

[rootbeer1.livejournal.com]

qbear just read this entry and said, "What about me? What about my birthday needs?"

"But," I replied, "it's not your birthday this month!"

"It doesn't matter!" he said. "You should wish me birthday every day!"

So ... happy birthday, bear.

*rolling eyes*

[killerjoe.livejournal.com]

I know that this has been a big gigantic pain for you to go through, and I don't often respond to your posts about it, but...

I admire your strength of spirit through all this, and I have enjoyed reading these updates. One part especially is the day count.

Speedy Recovery.

Joe

But what I don't understand is why anyone would want to buy a broken leg?

[rootbeer1.livejournal.com]

Perhaps someone might need it as an excuse?

"I'm sorry that all these important reports haven't been done ... but I broke my leg!"

[excessor.livejournal.com]

I guess correctly and I chose it not from knowledge, but only from knowing that such things have high price tags.

My mother has an injection of Neulasta about once a week. Cost: $2600. Her transfusion: $1900. I should do a separate post about the cost of cancer. Hmm.

Thank goodness for insurance. And yay to you for getting out!

[rootbeer1.livejournal.com]

Thanks Paul! Big hugs to you both, for a multitude of reasons.

[excessor.livejournal.com]

We both like hugs. Thanks!

Thank God for insurance, INDEED.

[anziulewicz.livejournal.com]

Of course, if the health care and insurance industries conducted themselves in TRULY cost-effective ways, that $72,500 price tag would probably be a LOT lower. For God's sake, your broken leg has cost more than my HOUSE! But it's doubtful that things will change much any time in the near future, so you might as well be thankful for your insurance. I know I'm thankful for mine. If I had to pay out of pocket for all the tests I've been through and all the meds I'm taking, I would NOT be able to afford it. As it is, I estimate I've had to pay less than 10% of the cost, thanks to co-pays.

That's insane!!!

[pauliebearsf.livejournal.com]

I took out that much money for college loans!!!

Hope to see you both during the holidays.... (food, drink, cuddling) xoxoxoxo

[double-ohsteven.livejournal.com]

This is day 60 days since my arm operation and I'm still in pain. I tried to gradually decrease the vicodin but I am at one 1/2 pill a day. Didn't get to see my hospital bill because I'm on an HMO, courtesy of Cobra and Schwab. But it is sobering to know how much it would cost without insurance.

Maybe I'll see you out and about or at your home soon.

[rootbeer1.livejournal.com]

Are you down to 1/2 pill, or one and 1/2 pills? Jack and I were interpreting this differently.

I'm down to 1 and 1/2 pills per day ... 1/2 in the morning, 1/2 in late afternoon (around 5 p.m.), and 1/2 before bedtime. When I feel it's time to cut back again, I'll combine the late afternoon/bedtime half-pill, and maybe take it around 7 p.m.

[trulygrateful.livejournal.com]

Even though we're on different coasts and, to some extent in different worlds as a result, it's still good to know that you're recovering regardless of the cost and, blessed be, you DO have insurance.

eHugz to you and Jack.

[(Anonymous)]

The amount is criminal, but you're, like, totally worth it.

[poohbearjim.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the birthday wishes, Steve! I only hope I'm over this damned cold before the big day. You have a good day out at Crissy Field, it looks like it's a beautiful day for it.

[shake-it-up.livejournal.com]

That's a shock. I know the bill for surgery on my shoulder (see icon) was $10,000. But I had lots of consultation, MRI's, etc. before they cut.

You're right about the insurance!

[kj.livejournal.com]

Wow! Mine was only around $20k, I think. Then again, you're in California.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

WOW! And I thought I was guessing high, not correctly. Sad, that I was correct ... Hope your healing is accelerating and that you'll be able to get around during the holiday season! Hugs from San Antonio!

Wow

[hardybear.livejournal.com]

I guessed high, because I know that medical costs are crazy these days, but still, $72,000 is a ton of money. Most places you could buy a house for that much.

I am glad you are continuing to recover. The trip to Crissy Field must have been nice. It is soooo depressing to be stuck inside the house, day after day (though I must say, as houses go, yours is very very nice :)

Thanks for the birthday wishes. I think I will celebrate by--squaredancing! Wish you could be there. Hope to see you soon.

Hugs,

Peter