Financial milestone!

TracyLynn72
TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

As many of you know, I started my journey of fighting cancer with NO insurance.  My employer keeps us under a certain # of hours as not to have to offer benefits.  My husband is self employed so we honestly could not afford the premiums when this all started back in December 2013.  I had to fight like crazy to get ANY assistance and when I broke the $500k mark on my bills, I was in a state of pure panic!  Medicaid came through (after 9 long months of fighting) to help with a large portion of the expenses as well as "discounts" offered by the hospital and cancer center.  I ended up with three pretty significant bills and smaller ones that pop in quite often.  The smaller ones I try to take care of right away if I can and I've been making payments on the others for over two years now.  I was able to pay one of those OFF yesterday!  It feels so wonderful!!!!  I still have two to go, and it will take time....but it's getting better each day :)  Small steps are still steps!  

Comments

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #2
    Sad, but good news in a small way

    First you have the fear of just fighting cancer, then they add the $$$$ needed to fight it. I'm glad there is light at the end of the tunnel. I know the doctors leading up to the surgery and hospital with the Pet/CD and other tests in three months got to $330K real fast and I never had to have chemo or radiation. The six monthe mark hit $350K and I stopped counting. No idea what the first two years would total but im so lucky to have had good insurance with work. Belive me, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Bill

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #3
    Tracy, this is a huge

    Tracy, this is a huge accomplishment!!!  I'm so happy that has been lifted from your shoulders.  I hope you and your hubby celebrated!!

    God bless you,

    djimage

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #4
    Paid in FULL

     

    That is a sweet sound to hear and glad you are finally seeing the light of day with the med bills.

    Wishing you all the best in life

    Tim

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 615 Member
    #5
    Financial milestone

     It's incredible how much cancer treatment costs.  It takes a lot of discipline to do what you have done.  Congratulations! 

  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103
    #6
    Good to hear

    I remember the financial hurdles you had to make for your treatments.  Glad to hear that some of the bills are paid in full.

  • stephenaudrey
    stephenaudrey Member Posts: 32
    #7
    I don't care what your

    I don't care what your political leanings are but that someone struggling with cancer should have to worry about paying for care is not right.

  • Ladylacy
    Ladylacy Member Posts: 773 Member
    #8
    Medical Bills

    When I go back and look at my husband's medical bills since 2010, I am amazed at the cost.  Thankfully he was on a Medicare Advantage Program, but we still had co-pays for everything and thankfully my employer offered us AFLAC for cancer and I took it out, of course, not knowing what the future held.  His two rounds of radiation treatment alone were close to $300,000.  

    I find it hard that people who work hard, but still can't afford health insurance, don't quality for help, but yet those that sit home all day and do nothing but complaint, get free healthcare at the taxpayers expense and even the illegals get free healthcare and for those that think they don't, look in the ER's, the health departments, etc., you will find plenty waiting for treatment and they don't have to pay for it.  

    Healthcare premiums are skyrocketing and soon many won't be able to afford them, no matter how much money you make.  People who think Medicare is free, need to think again.  And for those going on Medicare in 2016 I read the premium was going to be $156 per month.  This won't affect those already on it, just the new ones going on Medicare.  

    I am glad that you were able to finally get help with your medical bills, whatever the amount, helps towards paying them off.

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #9
    Ladylacy said:

    Medical Bills

    When I go back and look at my husband's medical bills since 2010, I am amazed at the cost.  Thankfully he was on a Medicare Advantage Program, but we still had co-pays for everything and thankfully my employer offered us AFLAC for cancer and I took it out, of course, not knowing what the future held.  His two rounds of radiation treatment alone were close to $300,000.  

    I find it hard that people who work hard, but still can't afford health insurance, don't quality for help, but yet those that sit home all day and do nothing but complaint, get free healthcare at the taxpayers expense and even the illegals get free healthcare and for those that think they don't, look in the ER's, the health departments, etc., you will find plenty waiting for treatment and they don't have to pay for it.  

    Healthcare premiums are skyrocketing and soon many won't be able to afford them, no matter how much money you make.  People who think Medicare is free, need to think again.  And for those going on Medicare in 2016 I read the premium was going to be $156 per month.  This won't affect those already on it, just the new ones going on Medicare.  

    I am glad that you were able to finally get help with your medical bills, whatever the amount, helps towards paying them off.

    Good for you!

    That is a big accomplishment.

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #10
    So happy you are making

    So happy you are making progress. I pray some more help comes your way.

    Debbie

  • Carolinagal4
    Carolinagal4 Member Posts: 22
    #11
    jim and i said:

    So happy you are making

    So happy you are making progress. I pray some more help comes your way.

    Debbie

    Wow--way to go!

    to fight cancer and then have to deal with this mountain of debt is almost unthinkable!  You fought cancer and came out the other side and it sounds like you are well on your way to the same with the medical bills--very impressive!  Congrats!

  • avisemi
    avisemi Member Posts: 172
    #12
    Congratulaciones!  Tris is

    Congratulaciones!  Tris is awsome!  I hope  this is soon completely behind

  • Barbaraek
    Barbaraek Member Posts: 626
    #13
    Congrats, you should be proud

    You should be really proud of yourself for tackling cancer and the debt of medical bills. You have done a very honorable thing by paying off your bills...some people wouldn't. I don't know if you have children or not, but if so you just gave them a great lesson in patience, perseverence and honesty! Bravo!

    Barb

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #14
    Paid in full with one glass of milk

    Hi Tracy

     

    This is a story i used in one of my sermons a few years ago, I thought you might like to read it.


     

     

    One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

    Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?"

    You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."

    He said ... "Then I thank you from my heart."

    As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

    Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

    Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.

    Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

    Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.

    He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.

    After a long struggle, the battle was won.

    Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ...

    "Paid in full with one glass of milk"

    (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

    Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands."

     

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    #15
    Hondo said:

    Paid in full with one glass of milk

    Hi Tracy

     

    This is a story i used in one of my sermons a few years ago, I thought you might like to read it.


     

     

    One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

    Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?"

    You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."

    He said ... "Then I thank you from my heart."

    As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

    Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

    Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.

    Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

    Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.

    He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.

    After a long struggle, the battle was won.

    Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ...

    "Paid in full with one glass of milk"

    (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

    Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands."

     

    Oh my goodness...

    I love this story so much!  Thank you Hondo!  Beautiful!!

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