Venting: I Tested Positive (cancer, not covid)

A couple of nights ago my doctor called me. I took an at home test, and he had the results. They came back positive. The next step is to make an appointment with the hospital, so the cancer diagnosis can be confirmed. My doctor knows how anxious I am about covid, so he said I could wait a few months. I countered if the vaccines were starting to kick in, everyone who had the hospital tests on hold would swarm the hospitals. He explained with a positive diagnosis I would go to the front of the line for testing. I would be ahead of those not doing a home test and just doing the hospital test. If this really is cancer, I do not know how far along it is, and it is possible every day could count for my survival.

The doctor said it would be 2-3 weeks before I hear from the hospital, so I can make an appointment. With covid and regulations, he was not sure, once I was notified, how long it would be before I would be penciled in. So, I guess I am still probably looking at 3-5 weeks before they can even look at me. Valuable time wasted, but it is what it is.

All of that is not what I wanted to vent about. I want to vent about insurance for healthcare. I just talked to an agent for the ACA. It is enrollment time right now. Up until now, I have pretty much had catastrophic insurance. It was around $130/month. If I end up with cancer, that plan would put me in a position where I might have to declare bankruptcy. Depending on where I am in treatment, I assume they could demand payment up front. I have worked my you-know-what off to get my credit to excellent. Although I suppose my credit would not matter if I was dead, so there is that!

I needed a top tier health insurance. Something that would cover most of my expenses if I ended up needing treatments. If my diagnosis is confirmed, I do not want a mountain of debt. So, here is where I am: My health insurance will cost almost $550/month. That is a huge leap. What does that mean for me? Well, after mortgage, car payments, taxes and insurance, I will have about $100/month to live on. That is for any other bills and food. And I do have some bills I have to pay off. I make just enough not to qualify for food stamps. Tell me how fair our system is. I am floored. And I am not sure if I do not have cancer if I can switch to a lower plan. I do not think so. So, for the next year, at least (depending on the diagnosis and how long treatment may be) I am shafted. WTF?!?!? My only hope is unemployment is extended and perhaps pumped up. If not, I guess I get in long lines for food banks and hope I like what I have been given.

This system is horrible. If you are possibly facing a life threatening illness, or even everyday life, money should not be handing over your head. Fu@k the system! Thank you for letting me rant a little.