Hospital Bill, German style

[lapfog_1]

1. 30 years ago

I was diagnosed with WPW... and I also had the microwave ablation. 7 catheters threaded through the femoral vein and the jugular vein. kinda of an experimental surgery in 1995.

I had John Alden GT insurance. Despite the cardiologist negotiating with them prior to the surgery, they attempted to stick me with the entire bill... $36,000 ( included the overnight stay for observation ). Lawyers from the hospital got involved... big mess.

I ended up paying $4000 of the bill because a doctor learning the procedure attended the surgery and he had not been included in the original agreement.

Shortly after that... my insurance left the state ( I think I was part of the decision ). With my prior diagnosis of WPW, getting other individual insurance was financially impossible ( $1000 / month with a $10,000 deductible from Blue Cross ).

BTW, my doc gave me 20 years with the heart surgery... it has been 30... knock on wood.