Prolonged Recovery

 Topanga Canyon

Dodged the devil once again

Though not forever.

 Friday, May 21, 2021

 This being my first injury requiring medical intervention since being uninsured, I am now discovering how truly painful it is to receive medical treatment in the U.S.

 After a similar crash in Panama requiring very similar initial treatment (ambulance service, examination, x-rays, MRI…) I was handed a bill and out the door after paying $340 dollars at the hospital cashier.

 In the U.S. for obvious (profit) and complicated (struggling between free market and tax-based solutions) reasons, the payment aspect of treatment is both prolonged and painful.

 So far, nearly a month and half after my accident, I still have no idea of what the costs will be or who is going to bill me or help me out.

 To this date I’ve received three separate bills from the radiologist, ambulance service and Emergency Room Physician. The radiologist bill is the only one I’ve paid so far. The others I’ve sent back and referred them to my Health Share provider; Trinity. That’s not, as they emphasize, a medical insurance product, but a group share medical emergency plan.

 My orthopedist who performed the surgery on my clavicle is directly billing Trinity. And, I believe, according to my policy, eventually I’ll owe $5,000 for whatever they cover as that’s my deductible.

 The hospital where I was initially treated has also referred me to a company that assist people who may qualify for financial aid through various government programs. I’ll give them a call today. Though I doubt I qualify, who the hell knows?

 My shoulder has is just about completely recovered and I’m very appreciative of all the fine services I’ve received to date. My poor wallet though is suffering through a period of prolonged and anguishing debilitation and I am unsure of the final prognosis or trajectory of recovery.