The Cost of an Accidental Fall
Jun 17th 2013, 6:28 pm
#1
Concierge
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,390
The Cost of an Accidental Fall
As most know, I fell off the platform, onto the train tracks, at Grand Central 2-1/2 months ago.
Well the statements from my healthcare provider are trickling in and I have to say I am ever so glad to have excellent coverage.
The bill from the ER is over $16,000.00 and the bill for the ambulance was $719.00. Add on to that weekly visits to the orthopedic surgeon, weekly x-rays, surgery three weeks later, prescription meds, slings, car charges to various appointments, etc.
We are talking in the field of $28,000 and we are not finished yet. Still do not have full range of motion in my arm and I still have a good deal of pain and nerve damage to contend with.
Thankfully, my portion of all this are co-pays. $100 per hospital visit, $50 for the ambulance and $25 for each visit and x-ray for the doctor. I've paid out over $450. Thank heavens, I had good healthcare.
So if you are coming to the US to live, please do not discount the need for quality, well paying healthcare. It is essential to a good life in the States.
Well the statements from my healthcare provider are trickling in and I have to say I am ever so glad to have excellent coverage.
The bill from the ER is over $16,000.00 and the bill for the ambulance was $719.00. Add on to that weekly visits to the orthopedic surgeon, weekly x-rays, surgery three weeks later, prescription meds, slings, car charges to various appointments, etc.
We are talking in the field of $28,000 and we are not finished yet. Still do not have full range of motion in my arm and I still have a good deal of pain and nerve damage to contend with.
Thankfully, my portion of all this are co-pays. $100 per hospital visit, $50 for the ambulance and $25 for each visit and x-ray for the doctor. I've paid out over $450. Thank heavens, I had good healthcare.
So if you are coming to the US to live, please do not discount the need for quality, well paying healthcare. It is essential to a good life in the States.
Jun 17th 2013, 6:41 pm
#2
The Kwisatz Haderach
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: North Wales
Posts: 8,080
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
I'm so glad you have good insurance too. 
Dh was sick in 2010/11 in 2011 he managed to rack up over $25,000 in bills and he never ended up in an ambulance, hospital, or needed surgery.
This was doctor visits, bloodwork, and meds. His cost was $100, deductible and $5 a month for meds. Best insurance we ever had, had this happened before getting the job he has now we had a $15,000 deductible
Dh was sick in 2010/11 in 2011 he managed to rack up over $25,000 in bills and he never ended up in an ambulance, hospital, or needed surgery.
This was doctor visits, bloodwork, and meds. His cost was $100, deductible and $5 a month for meds. Best insurance we ever had, had this happened before getting the job he has now we had a $15,000 deductible
Jun 17th 2013, 8:14 pm
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
I'm getting ready to have gallbladder surgery this week (it's supposed to be laparoscopic 
) Not sure what my surgery will cost for an uncomplicated outpatient gallbladder removal, but if my insurance website can be believed, around $25k!
Once the deductible is met, our insurance covers 90%...
Hopefully I'll be in the UK on vacation once the bills start streaming in...
) Not sure what my surgery will cost for an uncomplicated outpatient gallbladder removal, but if my insurance website can be believed, around $25k! Once the deductible is met, our insurance covers 90%... Hopefully I'll be in the UK on vacation once the bills start streaming in...
Jun 17th 2013, 8:22 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Sleepy Hollow, New York
Posts: 2,536
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
This shows why the US is sometimes regarded as an overly litigious society: if you don't have good insurance, and even if you DO but your coverage only pays 90% of the bills, then if you're injured and it's not your fault, you really don't have much choice but to sue for damages if only to meet the medical bills.
I think VT and CA were considering setting up state single-payer healthcare systems under Obamacare. Really I hope somewhere tries this and it takes off, because the current system really is totally bonkers.
I think VT and CA were considering setting up state single-payer healthcare systems under Obamacare. Really I hope somewhere tries this and it takes off, because the current system really is totally bonkers.
Jun 17th 2013, 8:34 pm
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
Good to know, Rete.
Regarding newcomers on BE, I've noticed they often say, "I'm very healthy and so don't need to worry about health insurance."
Regarding newcomers on BE, I've noticed they often say, "I'm very healthy and so don't need to worry about health insurance."
Jun 17th 2013, 8:42 pm
#6
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,022
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
Yes accidents can happen anytime...to anyone.
Jun 17th 2013, 8:43 pm
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
A few years ago I slipped on a tiled floor as I was leaving a house...landed spread eagled on the concrete path. Broke my nose (again)...split lip...cuts and bruises. Foolishly I decided not to go to the ER but went to the doctors the following day and had x-rays taken. Decided to forget about the whole thing and not to have a 3rd rhinoplasty.
Yes accidents can happen anytime...to anyone.
Yes accidents can happen anytime...to anyone.
Jun 17th 2013, 8:45 pm
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 157
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
Let me add another data point: I crashed my bike last year and broke an elbow. Drive to urgent care and then to ER, X-rays, simple surgery and four days in hospital (wound + fracture = "open fracture"). $45k before "adjustments" etc...
All my bikes now have brakes the same way around.
All my bikes now have brakes the same way around.
Jun 17th 2013, 10:01 pm
#11
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Google Town
Posts: 7,532
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
As most know, I fell off the platform, onto the train tracks, at Grand Central 2-1/2 months ago.
Well the statements from my healthcare provider are trickling in and I have to say I am ever so glad to have excellent coverage.
The bill from the ER is over $16,000.00 and the bill for the ambulance was $719.00. Add on to that weekly visits to the orthopedic surgeon, weekly x-rays, surgery three weeks later, prescription meds, slings, car charges to various appointments, etc.
We are talking in the field of $28,000 and we are not finished yet. Still do not have full range of motion in my arm and I still have a good deal of pain and nerve damage to contend with.
Thankfully, my portion of all this are co-pays. $100 per hospital visit, $50 for the ambulance and $25 for each visit and x-ray for the doctor. I've paid out over $450. Thank heavens, I had good healthcare.
So if you are coming to the US to live, please do not discount the need for quality, well paying healthcare. It is essential to a good life in the States.
Well the statements from my healthcare provider are trickling in and I have to say I am ever so glad to have excellent coverage.
The bill from the ER is over $16,000.00 and the bill for the ambulance was $719.00. Add on to that weekly visits to the orthopedic surgeon, weekly x-rays, surgery three weeks later, prescription meds, slings, car charges to various appointments, etc.
We are talking in the field of $28,000 and we are not finished yet. Still do not have full range of motion in my arm and I still have a good deal of pain and nerve damage to contend with.
Thankfully, my portion of all this are co-pays. $100 per hospital visit, $50 for the ambulance and $25 for each visit and x-ray for the doctor. I've paid out over $450. Thank heavens, I had good healthcare.
So if you are coming to the US to live, please do not discount the need for quality, well paying healthcare. It is essential to a good life in the States.
My Dad had a bad fall a couple of years ago and broke his hip, had a hip replacement, contracted MRSA, had the hip removed, has had all kinds of tests, care, spent weeks upon weeks in hospital, home visits, physios, ambulance to take him to every appointment... and has finally now just had a hip put back in. Although everything with the NHS has gone anything but smoothly, he would have been absolutely screwed if he had lived in the US. He worked his entire life as a manual worker, and would never have been able to afford coverage. A big reason why I really hate the system in the US, and am for everyone in society being treated the same, poor or wealthy.
Jun 17th 2013, 10:31 pm
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 10,678
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
Glad you are well covered Rete.
My Dad had a bad fall a couple of years ago and broke his hip, had a hip replacement, contracted MRSA, had the hip removed, has had all kinds of tests, care, spent weeks upon weeks in hospital, home visits, physios, ambulance to take him to every appointment... and has finally now just had a hip put back in. Although everything with the NHS has gone anything but smoothly, he would have been absolutely screwed if he had lived in the US. He worked his entire life as a manual worker, and would never have been able to afford coverage. A big reason why I really hate the system in the US, and am for everyone in society being treated the same, poor or wealthy.
My Dad had a bad fall a couple of years ago and broke his hip, had a hip replacement, contracted MRSA, had the hip removed, has had all kinds of tests, care, spent weeks upon weeks in hospital, home visits, physios, ambulance to take him to every appointment... and has finally now just had a hip put back in. Although everything with the NHS has gone anything but smoothly, he would have been absolutely screwed if he had lived in the US. He worked his entire life as a manual worker, and would never have been able to afford coverage. A big reason why I really hate the system in the US, and am for everyone in society being treated the same, poor or wealthy.
Jun 17th 2013, 10:34 pm
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: The Cost of an Accidental Fall
I wish I had a dollar for every time an American has told me how the British system operates.
Jun 17th 2013, 10:40 pm
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 10,678