"Just don't get sick!" Overheard in a doctor's office this morning.

[Bouncy Ball]

When I came in, a man was up at the receptionist's desk, asking about his health insurance. Apparently a lot of nasty new changes had been made to insurance, including the fact that doctor's visits are now no longer covered under co-pay, but through the DEDUCTIBLE. Which means he has to pay FULL PRICE for doctor's visits until he hits his $3000 deductible each year.

He asked her "How am I supposed to afford that? And why didn't I know about this before?"

She said his employer should have notified him of this change (and she's right, they should have) and about the affording it part? She smiled and chirped "Just don't get sick!"

He wrote out a check, which I heard her say was $189. As he was writing it, he said "I can't even afford this." When he turned around to leave, he had tears in his eyes.

My God, what have we come to? The guy obviously has a JOB, he HAS health insurance, but he can't afford to go to the doctor anymore.

Who can afford random $189 fees whenever you are sick? And what if he has a wife and kids? How does he handle that now?

I was sick to my stomach. I wanted to hug him. I know the feeling, too, as that happened to my husband's health insurance recently. My daughter is covered on it and so whenever she has to go to the doctor, I can count on a huge fee. No $25 copay anymore.

We just try to keep her healthy.