One a day, plus iron

I had a 3 and a half week hospital stay in 2002, plus assorted doctor's visits and test etc. Earlier that year my husband had outpatient surgery to get his wisdom teeth removed.

End of year totals (approximate b/c I am too lazy to dig through the old medical files)

Uninsured person cost - $90,000
Insurance cost - $32000
My cost - around $3500

I totally am behind medical insurance. Most people (you are not most people, which_chick do not have the financial discipline to save the money in an emergency fund or a dedicated medical fund. Most people with insurance have the premiums deducted from their paychecks where they never see it, so never miss it. I would like to get the negotiated rates without paying the premiums; I could put aside the money I pay already in premiums (just add it on to the amount I already put aside on a monthly basis for non monthly bills like car insurance and our house repair fund). That way I could earn interest on the money instead of Blue Cross/Blue Shield earning the interest and be able to pay the bills upon receipt. The way our health system is set up prevents that.