Burn Expenses

For those of you who don't know, I suffered a major 2nd degree burn on my abdomen back in February when I was in San Francisco. As you can see by the looks of it, it was incredibly painful and scary. I didn't know what to do - friends and family urged me to seek immediate medical care, so I went to the ER.

I was extremely apprehensive about going to seek medical care because as we all know healthcare in the US has its issues, and I wasn't sure if it would be covered by my insurance (which was in Michigan). Back in April I started receiving bills for $1424.37 from the SF General Hospital. Confused and upset, I called my insurance company because I was informed that emergency services were covered out of state. The insurance company reassured me that it WAS covered, they will pay the bill and that I shouldn't worry about it. I carried on with my life (which as you may know, is filled with work that doesn't necessarily result in monetary gain). 

I'm now in Germany working on an album and I am living off of my savings. I received a final notice bill in the mail that if I do not pay the balance within 15 days they will send it to collections. I simply don't have the money to pay it.

I initiated a 3-way call with the hospital billing department and my insurance company last night to try and resolve this once and for all. The insurance company explained that I am not responsible and shouldn't be billed, but the hospital explained that the insurance company has not paid the balance - so now I am responsbile. Why the insurance company has repeatedly lied to me about the bill and that the service was covered is a mystery to me. 

Please consider giving what you can to this campaign. I'm so lucky that the burn wasn't worse, and despite this outcome I do not regret receiving medical care. I firmly believe healthcare is a right and I hope we can figure out healthcare so people in emergencies don't question seeking care because of what a potential cost might be. I can honestly say this was the worst pain I have ever felt, and I don't go a day without thinking about it. I have visited a couple dermotologists and I'm grateful to say they don't think it will leave a permanent mark.

<3 Thank you so much for your help. I love you all.