Hey, y'all. I guess it's my turn to struggle with the American healthcare system, so, like many others, I'm here to ask you for help.

I fell and broke my shoulder Sunday and need surgery to reconnect the ball joint to the rest of my arm with a rod and screws.

Normally this is something that insurance would cover, but I left my job a little while back (due to another medical issue) and returned to self-employment. I decided to risk going without insurance until November when the online marketplace has open enrollment. I had a plan selected through the marketplace, but it doesn't kick in until January, which will be too late if I want to keep full use of my arm. Bad idea in hindsight, clearly.

The cheapest option available for the surgery so far is $12,627 if we do it at Medical Center here in Nac since they'll take 75% down, which will be $9207 plus $996 for the anesthesiologist plus $2424 to the orthopedic surgeon from Azalea Orthopedics due the day of surgery.

We're pretty much already tapped out this month from regular bills, the ER, x-rays, CT scans, orthopedic surgeon visit, more CT scans, and pain medication. Next month is going to be even worse because I'm going to miss at least 4 weeks of work, I'm going to have follow-up appointments with the surgeon, physical therapy, and need more medication. That's why I'm asking you all for help.

Normally, my pride would get in the way of asking, but this is also affecting Carrie, and I just really don't want to have a lame arm and chronic pain for the next 35 years. If you can help at all, please do. If you can't, please consider sharing. Thank you all.