We have been getting bills in for all the procedures and hospital stay that I have had in the last 3 months. I thought it would be interesting to go through and see what this would have cost us without insurance. We are very blessed to have really good insurance, so we only have to pay $1,100.00 for everything. I think that's pretty amazing, considering all that I have had done. So, here is the breakdown! Note that I am only including things that have happened since Jan.1st this year, so doctors co-pays before then, the two CT scans I had in November (they were about $1,500 each) and the ER visit in November (it was $1852) aren't included in the grand total.
1/5 Xray $76.00
1/23 Xray $76.00
1/29 Lung biopsy $4,754.20
2/5 PET scan $3,103.00
2/9 Lung function test $667.75
2/12 Pre-op blood work and Xray $621.25
2/13 Surgery and 6 day hospital stay $38,791.95*
3/11 Xray $76.00
3/12 Blood work $169.00
Total: $48,335.15
PLUS:
$175 in doctors office co-pays (this is an estimate, could be higher)
$51.50 in pharmacy costs
Grand Total: $48, 561.65**
*I though the hospital bill was interesting enough to breakdown by cost:
Room and Care - $4380.00
Intensive Care Unit - $3,023.00
Medications - $1,815.55
IV Solutions - $491.40
Non Sterile Supply - $740.00
Sterile Supply - $4,680.00
Lab Chemistry - $84.00
Lab Hematology - $45.00
Pathology Lab - $2,005.00
X-Rays Chest - $551.25
Operating Room Services - $9,155.00
Anesthesia Supplies - $899.00
Medications With Detail - $3,236.15
Professional Fee Laboratory - $2,295.00
Misc. Adjustments - $5,391.60
Total: $38, 791.95!
**I also didn't include the charges from my mole removal or from my last surgery to remove the sinus cyst because these weren't cancer related. But I am sure they will get our total well over $50,000.00.
All in all, I think its a pretty small price to pay, even if we had needed to cover more or all of it. Obviously you cant put a price on someones life (especially not when its your own)! I am so grateful that we have the insurance, and wonder if I would have gotten the care I did if we hadn't had it. This kind of experience makes me feel even more strongly about the need for some sort of universal health care. I know its an idea that comes with a lot of problems and uncertainty, but there are thousands of people every day having to choose between getting medical care and paying their mortgage/electricity/buying food. Its not a choice anyone in the world should have to make.
1/5 Xray $76.00
1/23 Xray $76.00
1/29 Lung biopsy $4,754.20
2/5 PET scan $3,103.00
2/9 Lung function test $667.75
2/12 Pre-op blood work and Xray $621.25
2/13 Surgery and 6 day hospital stay $38,791.95*
3/11 Xray $76.00
3/12 Blood work $169.00
Total: $48,335.15
PLUS:
$175 in doctors office co-pays (this is an estimate, could be higher)
$51.50 in pharmacy costs
Grand Total: $48, 561.65**
*I though the hospital bill was interesting enough to breakdown by cost:
Room and Care - $4380.00
Intensive Care Unit - $3,023.00
Medications - $1,815.55
IV Solutions - $491.40
Non Sterile Supply - $740.00
Sterile Supply - $4,680.00
Lab Chemistry - $84.00
Lab Hematology - $45.00
Pathology Lab - $2,005.00
X-Rays Chest - $551.25
Operating Room Services - $9,155.00
Anesthesia Supplies - $899.00
Medications With Detail - $3,236.15
Professional Fee Laboratory - $2,295.00
Misc. Adjustments - $5,391.60
Total: $38, 791.95!
**I also didn't include the charges from my mole removal or from my last surgery to remove the sinus cyst because these weren't cancer related. But I am sure they will get our total well over $50,000.00.
All in all, I think its a pretty small price to pay, even if we had needed to cover more or all of it. Obviously you cant put a price on someones life (especially not when its your own)! I am so grateful that we have the insurance, and wonder if I would have gotten the care I did if we hadn't had it. This kind of experience makes me feel even more strongly about the need for some sort of universal health care. I know its an idea that comes with a lot of problems and uncertainty, but there are thousands of people every day having to choose between getting medical care and paying their mortgage/electricity/buying food. Its not a choice anyone in the world should have to make.