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Cancer Complications: Confusing Bills, Maddening Errors And Endless Phone Calls

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Re: Cancer Complications: Confusing Bills, Maddening Errors And Endless Phone Calls

#81

Post by dajohnson89 »

zawerf wrote: post #9

I think that's just a corollary of "63% Of Americans Don't Have Enough Savings To Cover A $500 Emergency": https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2016/01/06/63-of-... EDIT: My comment is in reference to the old thread title, which was something like "More than 42 percent of the 9.5 million people diagnosed with cancer from 2000 to 2012 drained their life's assets within two years"

cancer treatments in USA are several orders of magnitude more expensive than $500. I know a breast cancer survivor with $100k of medical debt.

Re: Cancer Complications: Confusing Bills, Maddening Errors And Endless Phone Calls

#82

Post by vamos_davai »

Filligree wrote: post #24
vamos_davai wrote: post #4

It's such an absurd expense that I wonder if I get diagnosed with cancer, I would just deny treatment, accept death, and hand my assets to loved ones. Not sure if anyone else thinks the same way.

A lot of cancers have good a prognosis, especially if diagnosed early. Would you still do so if your chance of long-term survival and full remission, with treatment, is 50% or higher?

I think it depends on cost. Maybe if the cost is 5x my yearly income, then it's probably not worth it for me to continue going on.

Re: Cancer Complications: Confusing Bills, Maddening Errors And Endless Phone Calls

#83

Post by refurb »

ucaetano wrote: post #5

More than 42% of 9.5M people with cancer drained life's assets within 2 years in the US .

Yes, but bankruptcy due to health reasons is actually quite common in Canada as well.

Why? If you’re sick enough you can’t work or pay your bills so you go bankrupt.

It’s not just healthcare costs.

Survey research commissioned by the Canadian government found that despite having a government-run health system, medical reasons (including uninsured expenses), were cited as the primary cause of bankruptcy by approximately 15 percent of bankrupt Canadian seniors (55 years of age and older).

Re: Cancer Complications: Confusing Bills, Maddening Errors And Endless Phone Calls

#84

Post by maxxxxx »

zawerf wrote: post #9

I think that's just a corollary of "63% Of Americans Don't Have Enough Savings To Cover A $500 Emergency": https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2016/01/06/63-of-... EDIT: My comment is in reference to the old thread title, which was something like "More than 42 percent of the 9.5 million people diagnosed with cancer from 2000 to 2012 drained their life's assets within two years"

Not with cancer. I know people who had cancer and there was a never ending inflow of bills for 5000 here, 10000 there until they were wiped out. Add to that the fact it’s very hard to fight your insurance while you are very sick.

Re: Cancer Complications: Confusing Bills, Maddening Errors And Endless Phone Calls

#85

Post by pastor_elm »

komali2 wrote: post #68
pastor_elm wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most western countries are subsidized by US pharmaceutical innovation.

Huh, I've never heard this before. What makes you say that?

"Researchers from Britain's University of Liverpool also found U.S. prices were consistently higher than in other European markets. Elsewhere, U.S. prices were six times higher than in Brazil and 16 times higher than the average in the lowest-price country, which was usually India."

"Manufacturers say decent returns are needed to reward high-risk research and prices reflect the economic value provided by medicines. They also point to higher U.S. survival rates for diseases such as cancer and the availability of industry-backed access schemes for poorer citizens."

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-the-u-s-pays-...

Re: Cancer Complications: Confusing Bills, Maddening Errors And Endless Phone Calls

#86

Post by Sharlin »

deisner wrote: post #23

"But none of these is her most gnawing, ever present concern. That would be the convoluted medical bills that fill multiple binders, depleted savings accounts that destroy early retirement plans and so, so many phone calls with insurers and medical providers." Is it like this in other OECD countries? I ask because I'm told that we in America have "the best health care system in the world."

No, it is definitely not. Whoever tells you that is either lying, ignorant, or in denial.

Re: Cancer Complications: Confusing Bills, Maddening Errors And Endless Phone Calls

#87

Post by drdeadringer »

vamos_davai wrote: post #4

It's such an absurd expense that I wonder if I get diagnosed with cancer, I would just deny treatment, accept death, and hand my assets to loved ones. Not sure if anyone else thinks the same way.

I would consider this seriously for myself.

I've been thinking about my own death since ~2003. I have established what I want to happen to my body; I have yet to determine an official will, medical attorney, &c and that great fault is on me.

I recommend following "Order Of The Good Death" for the "US alternatives on Death". It is good times. Yes, talking about Death counts as "good times"; it is not difficult to imagine your survivors arguing over your body... about your body... about your assets... about your legacy... about your estate... and so forth.

Re: Cancer Complications: Confusing Bills, Maddening Errors And Endless Phone Calls

#88

Post by onion2k »

00010100101010 wrote: post #38
swarnie_ wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Important distinction. Most western countries don't bankrupt you for getting old or sick. Oh boy, did i say something which wasn't Pro-'Merica?

I want to add that in most of western countries, the cancer treatment offered in USA won't even be considered due to the way they manage expenses. If they consider treatment not worth the years of life added, they just skip them. https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2017/06/13/why-the-us-has...

The assertion that "most" treatments aren't available outside of the US is nonsense. Here in the UK some expensive and experimental treatments aren't provided, but things with proven efficacy usually are available to all, and if you have money you can pay privately for most other treatments (just like the US).

Re: Cancer Complications: Confusing Bills, Maddening Errors And Endless Phone Calls

#89

Post by [deleted] »

deisner wrote: post #23

"But none of these is her most gnawing, ever present concern. That would be the convoluted medical bills that fill multiple binders, depleted savings accounts that destroy early retirement plans and so, so many phone calls with insurers and medical providers." Is it like this in other OECD countries? I ask because I'm told that we in America have "the best health care system in the world."

[deleted]

Re: Cancer Complications: Confusing Bills, Maddening Errors And Endless Phone Calls

#90

Post by josefresco »

smallgovt wrote: post #72

I’m confused. If you have medical insurance, shouldn’t you only pay up to your deductible? Is this saying people’s life assets don’t cover the deductible? Or, people are uninsured?

From the article:

"Their high-deductible insurance policy meant they had to spend $6,000 before their insurance started covering her treatment expenses. They hit their annual out-of-pocket maximum of $10,000 well before the year was over."

Even with a lower deductible, many plans have annual and lifetime limits.

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