I knew when I set up my new spending plan that it was tight and didn’t leave much room for error. I even wrote in that post that hoping for 18 months of smooth sailing financially was a lot to ask for.
Welp, that didn’t last long! Yesterday, after a long busy week at work, I pulled a thick envelope out of the mailbox, and saw that it was addressed to me. This didn’t bode well. I looked at the sender and saw that it was my insurance company. Ugh. This was the bill from the medical tests I had done.
I opened it as soon as I got inside. I don’t know why, but I was expecting a bill of $300 or maybe even $400 max. The total due on the bill was $900! My jaw dropped as I just stared at this clump of papers.
High deductible plans are not for the faint of heart, people. Ugh! In no way do I regret having the tests done, because it gave me important information that could help me avoid more surgery ($$$), but this will decimate my $1000 Opportunity / Slush Fund and leave it all but depleted for the rest of the year.
I can’t put myself at that much risk so I will have to…ugh…skip an extra payment on my student loan to pay this medical bill.
Lesson learned: Don’t ever have health problems. Or if you do, don’t investigate them. Doctors and tests are too expensive. I’m obviously being facetious here, but ugh, these prices really make you think twice about being proactive with your healthcare.
Punch of the Week
Even after being on the receiving end of a sucker punch delivered by this medical bill, I was still able to get in a $1,802 payment / right hook today to my student loan to bring my balance down to $44,000. I’m happy about getting closer to being below $40,000. Losing that next extra student loan payment to pay this medical bill instead will hurt, but it will just have to take a little longer for me to get down to the 30’s. Sigh….
.
“Debtor’s prison is real, and opportunity cost is a bitch.” (DDSW Archives)
Double Debt Single Woman 
$900, ugh! Sorry to hear this.
But your health is the most important thing, so I’m glad you had the tests. 🙂
You’re still doing great financially, though! Some years ago you’d probably have had to put this bill on your credit card, right? Now you’re skipping an *extra* payment on your student loan to avoid depleting your opportunity fund or dipping into your emergency fund. Quite the change!
Hang in there DDSW!
LikeLike
Yes. My health is most important. If I don’t have my health, nothing else matters.
Yeah. It’s pretty cool to be able to cash flow a $900 bill these days. I’m not complaining…too much 😉
LikeLike
You are so amazing. I haven’t even begun to touch my student loan debt. I admire you so much.
LikeLike
Thank you for the kind words. I wish you well in eliminating your debt. 🙂
LikeLike
You’re still doing great! Don’t let this bring you down.
LikeLike
Thanks, Dolores. I won’t. I’m not crying about it or anything, but it is a little annoying and frustrating to lose half a month’s payment. Sigh. I’m going to focus on the good side – having the medical info and the ability to pay bill with my next check.
LikeLike
Oh lordy, our healthcare system is egregious. I’m glad you got the tests, but it sucks how much they can mess with your finances.
LikeLike
Ugh, yes! Granted I CHOSE a high deductible health plan (HDHP) to give myself access to the HSA investment vehicle (and don’t regret it at all), but yes it is crazy expensive. Where is all that money going?! Hold my wine, I’m about to go increase my health care sector investments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so right!
LikeLike
Aw man. On the one hand, that sucks. On the other, it is amazing — AMAZING — that you’re now in a place where you can casually pay that bill while simultaneously knocking out nearly $2K of debt. Keep slogging!
LikeLike
Yes, it IS a great place to be in these days. 🙂
LikeLike
Did you pay this bill already? If not, give the hospital billing a ring and see if they will negotiate a lower price. Often they do. I once had $1,000 knocked off a bill just by asking. They worse that can happen is that they say no.
LikeLike
I haven’t paid it yet, but they are unlikely to budge on the price. The bill says that they’ll only work with people who meet certain low income thresholds.
LikeLike
You’re still doing well as you paid that bill in cash plus you correctly put your health first! Don’t be deterred from your goal.
LikeLike
Thank you. The payment will come out of my next pay check.
LikeLike
I came across your blog tonight after looking for stories about single women in their 40’s who have paid off a large amount of debt. I am so glad I found your blog! I can relate to every single thing you have written about and plan to move out of my overpriced studio and into a room for rent soon. While I’m not psyched about having a roommate, I am excited to be able to tackle my debt like you have. Your blog is an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your story.
LikeLike
Hi Peacebewithyou! Welcome! As you know from reading this blog, it has not been an easy road, but I just know it will be worth it.
Thank you. I so glad that this blog is helping others like it’s helped me to write it over years. This blog is therapy for me. Feel free to come back and let all of us know how you’re doing from time to time. Best of luck! 🙂
LikeLike
Way to go on getting that $1,802 payment to your student loans despite that ridiculous bill!
LikeLike
Thanks. 🙂 The bill will get paid with my next pay check so it will get a punch instead of my student loan debt.
LikeLike
Sorry about that bill but what an amazing thing to pay off a debt like that in one swope. It will be okay. You are doing awesome!
LikeLike
Yes it is great that I can do this nowadays. I will pay the bill with my next pay check. I can’t imagine what it will be like when I don’t have these huge loan payments anymore.
LikeLike
You’re still doing great. You are 4K away from paying off 100,000 worth of debt! Holy cow!!! 🙂
LikeLike
Yeah I know, right?! 🙂 I think I’m like $2k or so away as my total debt was $142,258. When I think about all the things I could have done with that money… Sigh. Well I guess buying my freedom back would be the next best thing. That’ll do!
LikeLike
I love this rabbit hole of single women out their tackling personal finance… hadn’t seen y’ll when i started my blog not too long ago. Cool!
LikeLike
Hi and welcome!
LikeLike