How much does 4 days in New York Hospital cost?

Nothing beats a near-death experience for revitalizing the
human spirit. The knowledge that life is relatively short
and absolutely unpredictable is humbling and insightful.

I'm returning from 5 days in New York hospital with a
serious intestinal infection… diverticulitis to be exact.
It is eye-opening to NOT EAT or DRINK for 5 days (not even
water) and to be hooked up to an I.V. machine 24 hours a
day.

It Really Sucks!

When you are fighting a potentially life-threatening
condition or illness, it puts one's life in a new,
refreshing perspective. It has given me an appreciation for
the really important things life has to offer…

Family, Friends, Loved ones, Health. (Not necessarily in
that order). Family, friends and Loved ones are the best
life has to offer… But life certainly is more enjoyable
when everyone is healthy.

All the money in the world… isn't worth losing your health
over.

Your Health is the most precious thing you possess… Just
ask any inpatient in a hospital!

I can tell you that although the health care was most
excellent, life in the hospital was not that much fun for
me. I was hooked up to an I.V. for days with no food or
drink. You have to drag that I.V. thing with you everywhere
you go, even to the bathroom.

(I'm not complaining - They probably saved my life).

I was getting prodded and poked and stuck with needles
everyday for blood samples and stuck with another needle to
give a blood thinner. They took blood pressure readings and
thermometer readings every few hours all day everyday… and
at night too.

The nurse would wake me up in the middle of the night to
take my blood pressure and temperature readings. (And I
thought waking up to an alarm clock was annoying).

The doctors and nurses were all wonderful. Very
professional care from very capable professionals. After 5
days I was well enough to go home.

I was admitted on Sunday evening and was discharged
Thursday evening… Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday… 5-days.

But it only totals about 96 hours so the hospital says it's
4 days. Guess how much 4 days in New York Hospital cost?
The bill came today:

Rm Two Beds or more $8,230.08, Drugs $758.57, Laboratory
Services $346.30, Laboratory Services $516.52, Laboratory
Services $235.56, Laboratory Services $578.25, Laboratory
Services $73.15, X-Ray Services $229.10, Cat Scan
$4,518.51, Emer Room Services $827.68, Drugs $506.94, Ekg
Inpatient $174.81

Totals $16,995.47

And when you add in the cost of the phone and television…
That's a grand total of over $17,000.00 bucks for 4 days.
That's $,4,250 per day… And I didn't even have any surgery
(yet).

Professional Care comes with a professional price tag.

Would you have enough money to pay for this if it came out
of your pocket? Most people couldn't afford to make a
payment like that. It's not their fault. They work hard,
get paid well but the cost of living is sooo expensive.

Most families do not accumulate wealth. Most families have
a hard time saving any money. The solution however is NOT
to cut back.

The solution is to change your way of thinking. The
solution is to realize that… Your Health is Your Real
Wealth!

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Carl Willoughby has worked as a Licensed Registered
Representaive for the Prudential Insurance Company in New
York City and a Computer Programmer for the Tephone Company
in Boston.
Visit his blog at:
http://www.StudentLoanDebtConsolidationSite.com