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In 2009, I was hospitalized for two days because of a chronic colon problem that flares up every now and then.  I had NO surgery.  I did have one procedure.  For those two days, the bill was $21,525.48.
Since I am on Medicare, Medicare actually paid the hospital 4,264. 73 and I paid a $200 deductible. However, without insurance coverage, I would have been liable for the full amount. That's what my brother is facing right now.
Now, that's just what the hospital charged me. I received bills from seven different doctors totaling $2005. My Medicare Advantage plan paid all of those costs, based on Medicare's reimbursement schedule. Again, without insurance, I would have owed the full $2005 out of pocket.
I had a few other charges; but they were for routine office visits for which I paid a $20 co-pay.
Here's is what I spent out-of-pocket in 2009:Â
For my coveage for Part B Medicare which pays for physician charges, lab, x-rays, and outpatient care in general, I spent $1157.
My Medicare Advantage premiums were $232; while my prescription drug coverage cost $524.
So, I spent a total of $1914 in 2009 for my Medicare and supplemental coverage. That averages $230 a month.
In addition, because of deductibles and the donut hole in Medicare's prescription drug coverage, I also spent an additional $1888 out-of-pocket for the drugs that I take.
I had additional expenses of $260 to cover deductibles.
So, my total out-of-pocket expenses in 2009 were $4044, which averages $337 a month. Â
Granted, I take more medication than a lot of people and two of my meds are not available in generic.  One is $275 a month.  By June I have exhausted my prescription drug coverage with Medicare, and I'm in my donut hole. Health care reform will close that donut hole by 2020.
As expensive as that is, it doesn't even begin to compare with the $1200 a month I was paying on COBRA before I qualified for Medicare. Thanks to President Obama, the stimulus bill contains a provision that that those forced on COBRA because of loss of their jobs or illness now only pay 35% of the premium while the remaining 65% is reimbursed through a tax credit.Â
So, from one who has been there and done that, don't even try to convince me that health care reform is not needed.
