Yes to the hospital and no to children. My insurance covered the hospital without any issues, just a small copay and $300-ish bill that I paid over several months. I wouldn't say I have great insurance. It's some run of the mill bullshit conglomerate that covers most people in my area.
> especially if you happen to be between employers. Like how do you handle a sudden $20k bill that insurance won't cover?
My wife is, for all intents and purposes, unemployed (she's a photographer starting her own business). When she left her job at the end of 2023, she was able to get on state-sponsored insurance pretty quickly and easily without any hassle. It's better insurance than I have, they've covered every appointment, walk-in and emergency she's had without any charge to her. And this is in a deep red republican state that isn't known for supporting public health insurance.
As for how I would handle that bill? I'd first try to use the patient advocates at the hospital or my insurance company (that sounds scripted but I've used them before) to reverse the decision. At the same time I'd work with the hospital to set up a debt repayment/forgiveness plan. Tax-exempt hospitals in the US (which is almost all of them I think) are required to have financial assistance policies to maintain their tax-exempt status. If I'm broke and out of a job/insurance, I should be able to make it manageable or put it on forbearance until I'm able to pay it or get it forgiven.
Note: none of this is to say that I like the insurance situation here. I would prefer a public option.