I spent half that time in Critical Care (much of that on a ventilator, a small amount sedated), and most of the rest in a specialist neuro-rehab unit. I would have died otherwise.

Fortunately it cost me nothing - Thank Bevan for the NHS - but if I were in the US I imagine I would be financially crippled!

  • jordanlund@lemmy.world
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    4 days ago

    Honestly, it would depend on what kind of insurance you have in the US. Each employer has a different set of plans.

    No insurance? Absolutely screwed. With insurance?

    End of 2018 I had a heart attack and open heart surgery with really good insurance.

    Emergency Room - $150
    8 days in the hospital + open heart surgery from the head of the cardiac department - $100
    Drugs and all the oxygen I could carry - $100

    Roll forward to January 2019… my company has been bought by a giant company. Health insurance changes. I lose my existing hospital and all my doctors and have to start over in a new system.

    7 days in the hospital draining fluid from congestive heart failure - $6,500 - the annual out of pocket maximum for that insurance.

    Good news though, hitting the out of pocket maximum on Jan 15 meant all my other medical care the rest of the year was covered at 100%.