Chronic Illness and Finances
29 Jan
Chronic illness is expensive. Financial advisors and money gurus will tell you to set aside an “emergency fund.”
Um, yeah, we had an emergency fund that was drained three times in two years for my TMJ Disorder, not to mention putting thousands on a Care Credit card (Which we were able to pay off before the interest kicked in. Yay!) the last time I bit my night guard in half.
As I was doing our taxes this year, I tallied up all of our medical expenses for 2009. We spent $12,000. And we didn’t even have any surgeries or hospitalizations.
Suffice it to say, we’ve never been able to go beyond an emergency fund to a savings account with three months of living expenses. Sorry Suze.
It’s not like we don’t budget for doctor’s visits and prescriptions. We do. And it’s not like we live extravagantly. My car door was jammed shut for three months before I had it fixed. We don’t have cable. I don’t get manicures. I pack our lunches. Heck, I’ve been making my own laundry detergent and cleaning products!
Chronic illness is a drain on your finances. I really don’t know of any solution to that problem. Just know that if you have medical bills, I feel your pain.
The only advice I have is…
1. Tell your doctor and his staff what your insurance won’t cover. Most of our doctors have worked with us to find alternatives when insurance won’t cover things.
2. Make sure the receptionist verifies your benefits before you see the doctor. Ask how much you will need to pay before you arrive for your appointment.
3. Try alternative medicine. Massage therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, etc. may be covered by your insurance. For us a massage is MUCH cheaper than a visit to the rheumatologist or my TMJD specialist.
4. Preventative care. This doesn’t apply to every chronic condition, but for some people, maintaining a healthy weight may help prevent flares. For some people who suffer from migraines, they can avoid trigger foods. For my TMJ Disorder, I try to avoid stress, and if I know I’m stressed out, I try to exercise or play the piano to relieve stress so that I’m not clenching and grinding in my sleep.
And please do share if you have any advice!
Love,
A Young Wife
Remember, I’m not a doctor! I’m not giving you medical advice.
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