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I was kicked off MRMIP (Major Risk Medical Insurance
Program) because I had been on it too long. My premiums
went from $800 a month to $1,000 a month in about 6
months. So in Feb. 2004, I joined the uninsured in
California. At that time I was 61.
Of course something happened right away. On March 27,
2004, I broke my ankle; really broke it. Finally in
April I was able to schedule surgery to have plates and
pins put in my ankle.
Without any insurance, I made arrangements with the
hospital to pay a fee of $3,100 for my surgery, which
included a 23-hour stay and the anesthesiologist.
Someone at the hospital made a big mistake and issued an
insurance billing, which they sent to me. That billing
was for a WHOPPING $19,696.77.
Needless to say I was shocked. I called right away to
the hospital and they called me back in about an hour
and told me to disregard the billing. I can’t even
imagine the mark-up here.
There needs to be some real reform, when a hospital has
to bill over $19,000 in order to get $3,000. Something
is terribly wrong here.
I did survive the next 3 1/2 years, and will finally get
insurance in Oct. 2007, at age 65. Thanks for letting
me vent.
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