Returning from Europe, ‘Pat’ had an unexpected ‘layover.’

After “barfing up blood” on his flight, he ‘landed’ in an Atlanta ER.

Apparently recalling Tip 528, he emailed me late on a Friday, “Wondering what my deductible is, what services I should be concern [Sic] about not being covered, and anything else.”

A classic good news/bad news situation.

Good news; in emergencies, all services should be covered, even in an Out of Network hospital.

Bad news; you’ll easily hit your $8,000 Out of Pocket maximum (vis a vis a $5,000 deductible, then 80/20 co-insurance). On top of a monthly premium of $630.42, that’s a big hit to his budget.

(Could’ve been worse. Under Obamacare, the highest allowed OOP limit for 2022 is $8,700; just announced for 2023, increasing to $9,100.)

That was two weeks ago. One hospital bill (i.e., facility only) for $39,402 - not so subtly addressed to “Guarantor” - has already arrived. That’s full retail before being submitted to his insurer.

Still in “coaching” mode, I told Pat there’ll be more bills (e.g., physicians, radiology, anesthesiologist) but not to pay a penny until corresponding EOB’s arrive showing the discounted, allowed amounts.

It’s all enough to turn your stomach.

Again!