...just for the TRIAL scs. Boy, are these docs making money hand over fist! The outpatient cost alone is a whopping $26,000, not to mention the pre-op stuff (because of a suspected heart problem that ended up being nothing), which is another $4,000!! Fortunately, Medicare paid for part of it, but my part is still over $6,000 buckaroos. Hope they're very, very patient, because it's gonna take me a loooonggg time to pay this off. I just pray that maybe the hospital's financial assistance program will help. If not, then I guess they can throw me into debtor's prison...lol!

Anyway....now I'm for SURE not going to ever be getting the permanent implant. I can't even imagine how expensive it will be. I was in the OR for all of about 30 minutes for this procedure. Must be nice to make that kind of money. It's more than my entire year's income! And I'm one of the more fortunate ones...can't believe this.

Oh my gosh....it's sure hard to not discouraged sometimes. I pray that the pain will just stay below a 7 or 8 so that I can have a life. I truly am thankful that I've been able to play/sing in the worship group at church, though. If I couldn't participate in that, I don't know what I'd do. Okay....deep breath....TRUST in the Lord. I know He will provide whatever I need. Others here have it so much worse, and I pray for you always.

Thanks for letting me vent a little!

Sending big hugs to all,
Jan

Yea - these bad boys are spendy. Like you my trial was $25K billed to insurance....the full implant was around $120K if I recall correctly. It is unbelievable how spendy they are. I am really sorry that the economic burden makes this undo-able for you

I wish your referring doctor warned you. My pain doc said the cost of the scs is why the ins. companies insist on the psych eval. They want to know that you truely are a fit candidate for the implant. Best wishes.

BAHH!

Dawn't EVEN get me started on the decline of our healthcare system due to things like THIS. It's absolutely disgusting what the doctor's make on these.....the Reps, big Pharma, all of that cr@p.
What REALLY ticks me off is how some of the Dr's 'push' for these things and then leave the patient to deal with the problems that may come up ...
kinda like leaving them high and dry.....
once they get their $$$$$$$$$$ kickback.

My trial cost $30K and the perm cost well over $100K. This of course does NOT include a decent thorough follow up to make sure things are in order.....so the extra expense for me was my SELF-ORDERED lumbar x-ray, which revealed a migrated lead, of which was removed (technically another 'surgical procedure' - not sure how much that was)
GOOD LORD you'd THINK they'd at least throw in a complimentary coffee mug or SOMEthing.



Thanks for having me RANT about

Rae

Rrae can you really tell us how you feel about this subject
z

We can read between the lines...... I really hate the issue that the very patient expense [setting aside for a moment who gets what from the procedures] prevents Jan, Eva, Ginnie..... from the ability to know what it can do for them.... I hate that with a passion, I would llke to see all who need-- receive. Simple, straightforward, easy.....

Kinda like rewrite the tax code to make it something like 10% of income across the board, no special interest deductions, blah, blah,

Eliminate perks, all of them for Congress....... let them have medicare and social "security."

Stop all contributions of funds to political campaigns......

and on and on and on,
Yup, then spend more time in prayer
for JavaJan and how to come up with the funds to pay such a medical bill,
and for Gerry, regarding that surgery today,
and Eva and all of her family and the issues which are many,
and Ginnie selling her home,
and Pooh and Rae working too hard, hurting all of the while.....
and Spine with these molars which broke,
Andy and the stuttering unit,
Sophie who hurts more than can be described,
Saffy and PAIN,
I suppose this is why we are encouraged to pray without ceasing,
and these are just a small number of all who need prayer, so, so Many--
Praying,
Mark56

Erk! Thank goodness ... your post actually makes me appreciate the UK where all is paid for.

You have a good spirit at dealing with this though ... keep strong. x

My Perm was just under $98k of which $80k was the hardware alone!

Crazy, just plain CRAZY.

I moan about living in the uk but my Lord am thankful for the NHS

...I have excellent health insurance. I won't be paying a penny for that outrageously expensive procedure.

Most Americans are very uneasy about National Health Care as it puts into the hands of the government something that most believe needs to remain in the hands of the private sector. Our government does a pretty pathetic job of managing most things...we figure healthcare wouldn't do much better.

But let's not talk politics here!