Surgery/Recovery

[nmk816]

So my surgery is coming up in a month. I was wondering how all of you who have had surgery, dealt with the finances. I was told to expect about 2-3 months off work after surgery. One of my main concerns is not being able to pay my bills while I have no income. How did all of you deal with that?

[xmelax35]

I am still having trouble with finances. I got garnished for a past student loan that should have been on hold until I was off the disability list. I got garnished big time. Plus I have other money coming out. I am in debt up to my eyeballs. It is very stressful, but I sometimes just don't think about it, mainly because my pain and stuff takes over and I am worried about finding another doctor.

[selmaS]

  I understand ur situation....and it is hard needing help....u may be able to apply for emergency aid thru SSID....check into it....I know there were a few older threads on this topic as so many of us need $$$ post op and need time to recover.

[girlinxile]

You can get your student loan payments held during surgery.. they should allow that. I did that with mine starting next month (looks like we are having our surgeries on the same day). It adds the interest onto the loan but its one less thing to worry about. I would think you would qualify for some form of disability but I don't honestly know how that works... I would call your local government office and ask some questions. I would also call your credit card holders and let them know the situation. They may surprise you ... It would be worth a shot anyways. I have seen companies wave a month or two, especially with something like this and especially if you have been a good little payer.

[nmk816]

My insurance is through my dad because I'm 24 so still qualify for his insurance. I live at home. But I can't rely on parents to pay all my bills. They have enough of their own bills. I was paying them $200 a month as rent, so that might have to stop. I won't be getting more medical bills this year since I maxed out on medical spending in July, meaning insurance should cover all additional bills for the year. My issue is credit card and student loan bills. I can try to arrange to pay a little less on the student loan, but credit cards will eat up my savings.

[selmaS]

  Hi....this is a tough one for all of us, I never went back to work, but the initial time off I did get paid sick time, I also had paid vacation time I saved up as I knew the surgery was going to be scheduled....I now rely on my DH as I still have not gone back to work....

We are all different....

Is ur INS with ur dad bcuz u r a student?....Do u live at home?

[nmk816]

Only health insurance through my father. Don't think it'll do me any good in this situation.

[girlinxile]

Do you have insurance?

[nmk816]

Thanks for the comments. My issue is the place where I work is a small company and I've only been working there for about 3-4 months so don't qualify for aid from them and don't have enough vacation/sick/holiday pay to make any difference. Guess I just have to hope my savings will be enough.

[derek1983]

its very difficult im on month 2 of a 6 month hiatus from work and already hurting financially even with my short term disability and a wife who works but ive tried to cut costs wherever i can and we seem to be skating by medical bills now thats different they get 25   50 whatever i can give them a month at least till im back working and financially on my feet         good luck
                                                                             Derek

[girlinxile]

I feel your pain.. my surgery is next month. I tried to put it off until November so we could bank some more money and so I would have more FMLA (since my boss told me she is posting my job as soon as my FMLA runs out) so I have a lot of uncertainty is well. My husband just keeps telling me we will work it out and that we have loving friends and family so won't ever be homeless.. sigh... I have 3 months of short term disability and if my recovery takes longer I don't know what will happen or what options I have. So I too will be wondering how others handled this. AND GOOD LUCK!!!! :)

[frankie_rush]

Hello,  I was off for six months.  I had almost enough sick time built up.  Then I used the leave bank to get another month.  This took me up to 51/2 months.  then I used what little bit I had in saving with the wife working.  But if it wasn't for sick leave would have been a mess to deal with, yes it would have been hard.