NYC_SKP
NYC_SKP's JournalIn case you're new and would like to become a host, the concept of "consensus" is bound to arise!
Hosts have discussed this, and admins have replied to the question. Here:
My emphasis is here:
I tend to think that if one person is strongly opposed to a lock, and is making that stand based on some principle they are able to articulate, then that position should be respected and consensus does not exist.
Just back from a "Debridement" surgery following a brain surgery. ACA covered. Ask me anything!
First and foremost: If you have been treated for hypertension, don't drop the meds unless you're told to.
I picked up my exercise and dropped 30, improved my eating habits last December and quit my $1,350 COBRA plan for similar ACA coverage under same provider, Anthem.
BUT, it took time for cards and I never picked up with my PCP for testing and refills of cholesterol and BP meds.
Big Mistake.
On 5-17 I became dizzy and fell, continued dizziness after a short unconsciousness took me to an ER, and a brain scan indicated possible brain bleed so was flown to Stanford and had a cranial angio, then brain surgery to treat a minor aneurism, then another angio and release.
The surgical site deal heal well and I went in last Tuesday and they checked me in, opened me back up (but didn't have to remove the skull piece again, thankfully) and sent me home today with a PICC and IV meds to be self administered for the next six weeks, pretty intensive but likely to prevent a relapse.
The jury is still out about coverage, but I know my $6,350 max out of pocket and deductible are covered (all that on the first day, easily).
I hope and pray for good health, but also hope that the ACA Silver Plan will cover everything, this is a costly deal.
Just some of the costs:
Ambulance: $2700
LifeFlight to Stanford: ~$25,000
Angiograms: $60,000 - $80,000 each for total of maybe $160,000
Cranial surgery: I have no idea, thinking at least $100,000 (I have one bill for one doctor alone that's $25,000)
Room and Board in ICU/Neurology at Stanford Hospital and Clinics: No idea, great care, five star staff and surgical crew.
Cost for return visit and second CT Scan and Surgery: No idea.
Six weeks of home health care, PICC system meds and other prescriptions: No idea.
I'm thinking this is at least a $250,000 medical event, possibly twice that, all for about $500 and month plus the max out of pocket.
I'm grateful for the medical team and for the providers.
Lesson learned: I take my hypertension meds, I check my BP with a decent device that has a memory that stores the values. A few minutes ago I was at 109/83... much better than the numbers I had when admitted!!!
Needless to say, there are other measures (reduce sodium, chill out) to manage stress; meds aren't the only way to reduce tension.
But I'll bet I'd not have had the problem had I not so cavalierly dropped them.
Be well, DUers!
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