[flash]

You sound like me. I have actually covered hospital bills for friends.

Medicare, well, it's actually one of the best insurance plans out there. Combine with a Medigap plan, everything except prescriptions is covered. Despite the lower "acceptable" rates, almost every doctor/lab/etc. accepts it, and the patient has the freedom to choose everything. I've actually been told by doctors that it is so much easier to get approvals, and payments, with Medicare!

Me, well, as you can see it is a sore subject. MD's oncologist wrote to the insurer, as did I. I actually asked them what they felt MD's life was worth, laid out the circumstances, and asked what his absence would be worth to our unborn child....and for the next stages of his treatment, EVERYTHING was covered, even a private room his surgeon requested, with an extra bed for me. It does pay to petition, but you do have to know how the system works.