Colon=Free at birth. Removal=$27,000

I recently had the joy of paying off my medical bill I owed the Mayo Clinic. What a fantastic feeling not to owe them any more money for my missing body parts!

<<Random side note- I pretty much started this "Care Network" trend between Mayo and Billings Clinic. I did it before it was the cool thing to do. Yeah, no big deal or anything. >>

#My face should totally be on this bench.

Here are some random yet remarkable charges throughout my surgeries:

*Subtotal colectomy (removal of large intestines)=$9,100.

*Lapriscope equipment (minimal cuts and scars)= $2,300.

*MRI of pelvis and abdomen (a few of the pre-requisites to ditching my colon)=$3,400+$2,900

*Colonoscopy (another pre-requisite)= $1,600

*Epidural=875 (keep in mind 3 surgeries means 3 of these)

*Administration of Anesthesia =$1,000

*Surgical facility (Operating room for 1 surgery) =$11,000

*Semi-private room (per day)=$1,550

*Proctectomy (removal of my rectum) =$9,000

*Ileostomy closure (bye bye bag!) =$3,057

Total surgery #1= $27,537

Total surgery #2= $16,074

Total surgery #3= $ 27,398

I'll be the first to admit that hospital and doctor bills can easily become overwhelming. I was terrified when I received my first bill after surgery #1 with a total of $27,000! Who in their right mind wouldn't be nervous?!  Yet out of a total cost of $71,000, I only paid $900 out of my own pocket. That included all three surgeries, many clinic visits, procedures, operating room expenses, hospital stay, etc..

HOW??, you ask?

During the time of my surgeries, I was lucky to have not only one, but two health insurances. (A HUGE thank you to my dad, who worked extra hours at his job, so I could have that secondary insurance!) I'd be totally screwed if I didn't have that insurance!

My dad and I, all spiffed up!

Okay, not to scare the crap out of everyone who doesn't have medical insurance... Take a breath, I've got good news to share!

Yes, healthcare is crazy expensive, with or without insurance. What many people don't realize is that many hospitals are “non-profit” and because of that reason, they are required to write off a certain percentage of their income to people in need! (Super good news!) A lot of people don't even know that financial assistance is available at their own clinic or hospital!

People are drowning in medical bills, when there's a lifeline within reach! Of course, hospitals don't advertise the fact that they give away free money. They wouldn't be able to traffic all the applicants interested in help! Anywho, the thing to do is ask for the hospital/clinic's patient accounts department, and ask about applying for financial assistance. 

Applying can be a long process and a huge headache, but totally worth the work if approved! Financial assistance usually requires copies of your most recent bank statements, a detailed list of monthly bills, credit cards, tax returns for the past couple years, pay stubs and sometimes a letter of why you need help (a chance to explain your situation). It feels a little invasive to have to give out that personal info, but they want to be sure to weed out the people who are wasting all their paycheck on booze, I suppose.

Perhaps some people might be too ashamed to ask for help. It can be hard to admit when we are struggling financially. I must say though, there's nothing embarrassing about having bills due to an unplanned disaster or life event. 

When I was 21 years old, I was hospitalized for a flare up of Ulcerative Colitis. I didn't ask for this disease. I didn't want this lifelong burden and constant thief of my income. During that time I was fresh out of college and unable to work while sick. It was an overwhelming financial place to be in. I somehow caught wind of the financial assistance program and decided to apply. The result?- My entire bill was erased!

The entire $3,000 that I owed for being hospitalized magically turned into $0! HOORAY!

I also applied for financial assistance at the Mayo Clinic. That one was more of a headache, because I applied for it a week after I got married. Suddenly they took into account both my income and my husband's income. Our bank accounts weren't even merged yet! After much back-and-forth action with missing paperwork, I finally heard back. The Mayo reduced my remaining bill to 40% off! I'll take it! That is such a huge blessing to have unwanted charges waived. Sometimes life deals some pretty crappy circumstances... and that is why I'm so glad there are organizations out there that have a goal of helping those in need. 

Spread the word, if you need help paying medical bills, sometimes all you need to do is ask! (and submit dozens of papers too...)