Be Prepared For Medical Emergencies

Ever since my emergency surgery, bills have come rolling on in at a steady pace. They continue on, thanks to my immune system having gone haywire. Getting ill was totally unexpected - sure, I have issues with asthma and have ended up at Urgent Care several times over the last few years, but this? Holy smokes - totally not expected! I went to the doctor thinking worst case scenario that I would have a couple of prescriptions - not being sent straight to the ER and spending nearly a week in the hospital. (Not to mention - still recovering over three months later!)

A little bit of information landed in my inbox, and because I really don't want to see anyone struggling as hard as we are right now trying to pay medical bills and stay afloat, I hope you'll take head and start putting away a few dollars every month just in case you have a healthcare crisis in your family too. Even if you have health insurance, it doesn't cover expenses like carry out/delivery meals for your family if you can't cook, travel to doctors out of town, or even babysitters if you need them. Those things add up really quickly - trust me! Don't forget if you are bringing in income, you'll probably be losing out on that money unless you happen to have sick pay and the like available to you.

In the US, women’s lifetime risk of developing cancer is a little more than 1 in 3 according to the American Cancer Society (Cancer Fact & Figures 2012). In addition, the National Safety Council (Injury Facts 2011 edition) says that more than 38.9 million medically consulted injuries occur in a year. However, the recent Aflac Workforces Report reveals that women may be overly optimistic about their chances of encountering a medical crisis.

· 62% of women think that is not likely that they or a family will experience a serious illness, such as cancer

· 76% of women think that is not likely that they or a family will become disabled

· 65% of women think that is not likely that they or a family will experience a car accident



While it’s great that women have a positive outlook on life, unfortunately this results in women not being prepared to deal with a medical emergency.

· 52% of women said that they are not prepared to pay for out-of-pocket expenses not covered by major medical/health insurance, and only 39% of women are somewhat prepared.

· 34% of women have less than $500 to pay for themselves or a family member’s out-of pocket expense associated with an unexpected medical emergency and 59% have less than $1000.

Believe me, I was NOT prepared! I was definitely was in the 62% of women who think it's not likely for a serious illness to happen, and we were in the 34% who had less than $500 saved for medical expenses.

If you haven't discussed the possibilities of anything like this happening with your spouse recently, it's time to. Little things like updating your emergency contact list to filling out a living will doesn't cost you a thing, and it should be done whether you have children or not. If you have any form of insurance you are paying for, from life to health to disability, be sure to check out exactly what it covers. If it's not enough, this is the time to make sure you have the correct amount, because if the worst happens, you won't be able to do anything about it then!

I'm not receiving anything for this post, just sharing some survey information and what happened to me in hopes it will help someone else be ready for the worst!