Single-Handedly Supporting Health Care

For someone so healthy, I sure have been hanging out with doctors lately.

• Two cataract surgeries last year
• Two mammogram screenings in February
• Annual physical in February
• And surgery this week to remove a lesion

What’s next? Dentures? Sheesh.

A Different Kind of Healthy

My overall health should keep my time with doctors to a minimum.

• I take no medication
• I’m at a healthy weight
• All my lab work is within normal range

In fact, my doctor told me I’m so healthy I should plan my next physical for two years – instead of one.

• Then I got the dreaded call-back on my mammogram
• And another call confirmed the lesion on my back was skin cancer

Don’t worry – there’s good news.

• The second mammogram showed all was normal
• The skin cancer was basal cell carcinoma – the most common of skin cancers with a 95% cure rate

Poster Child

I am a walking advertisement for problems in U.S. health insurance.

• Too young for Medicare
• High premium rates due to my age
• At an age where even as healthy as I am, the body needs maintenance

I have a high deductible health savings accounts.

After years of never having a claim (except preventive care), I will meet my $2,000 deductible a second year in a row.

That’s made all the more challenging with the following factors.

• Purchasing my own insurance – ah, how I miss employer-sponsored benefits
• Increase in tax threshold – In 2013, qualified medical expenses must be 10% or higher of your adjusted gross income (up from 7.5%)
• Owning my own business – I can’t even whine about my lousy employer’s benefits

Still Thankful

Despite the challenges, there is plenty to be thankful for.

• Generally, I’m still very healthy
• I am writing for a living and that makes me happy
• Although the premiums hurt, at least I have insurance

And my dermatologist who removed the lesion is an absolute joy.

He was patient, kind, and called me personally after my surgery to check up on me. When was the last time you received a personal call from your doctor?

So, while I am doing my part to support health care, I am thankful for the care received.

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Live…Laugh…Love

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