Help Bella and Her Kids

May 17, 2023 I had a hysterectomy which was necessary in order to maintain good health and quality of life. 

 It turns out that hysterectomies, under any circumstance, are not covered by my insurance policy. I work for a health insurance company. In order to have the surgery, I needed to purchase a secondary rider to my existing employer provided health insurance policy. This is to be paid as additional premium of $200 every two weeks for 52 weeks — which is now automatically deducted from my biweekly pay check for the next 26 pay cycles. 

 I won’t be able to afford my rent and utilities with this additional $400 missing from my monthly income. I did not ask for this debt. I spoke with my insurance and was informed there is no way to reduce these premium payments and lengthen the amount of time I pay them.

 Currently, I am on short-term disability as I recover, which is 60% of my regular income. My company is taking this additional insurance premium from my already reduced disability income.

 I did apply for short term public assistance but was denied because this reduced income is $26 over the maximum income limit for a family of three to receive assistance. I fear my two children and I may become homeless and that shouldn’t be happening just because I needed surgery.

 Insurance told me this “activation,” as they called it, was necessary in order for coverage to be provided for this procedure. I did not know I was buying additional insurance because the surgery was not covered. I did not know I could call the hospital to negotiate the price of my surgery and seek financial assistance to lower the cost. I am at my wit’s end with this. How can an insurance policy not cover the second most common surgery among people with uteruses?

 I know times are hard and everyone is struggling. A total of $5,200 will make up the difference in my income and keep my family from losing our house. Any small amount toward that would be tremendously helpful. 

 Please give what you can and help my family stay in our home. Thank you.