One thing everyone with MS has in common is concerns about finances. Everything costs money...a LOT of money. And if you're in the USA, that money comes straight from our pocket! Let's look at a general list of my medical expenses.
Specialist Appointments: I see my specialist at least twice a year.
MRI's: Brain, Cervical, and Thoracic Spine once a year.
Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT): Kesimpta--one injection a month.
Other medication: Those with MS are more prone to depression and anxiety than those with other neurological diseases.
PCP: I used to see mine every 3 months, now it's about every 6 months.
AC: I add this because since my heat intolerance began, I've had to keep my AC several degrees lower than normal, thus driving up my power bill.
This is just my list of MS related expenses. Other people's may be shorter or longer. Even with insurance, it's a hefty chunk out of pocket every year. Yes, there are organizations that can help. I've used them myself. But that doesn't change the stress and anxiety that comes from having to decide care based on finances. For example, my once a month injection is over $9000 a month! I'm still waiting for my new insurance to approve payment, and I just used my last complimentary dose. I'm trying not to worry about what will happen if insurance hasn't been settled by September!
But everything wrong with the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and insurance industry in the US is a rant for another day. Today, I want to talk about something much more pleasant.
A few years ago, I opened my favorite book and found a $5 bill I'd tucked inside at some point. No idea when. No idea why. But finding a random $5 was pretty awesome! I'm sure at some point you've discovered something similar and can relate. Now, imagine the feeling you get when you find $5, and multiply it by 100. You guessed it. I "found" $500! And let me tell you, it was a relief! No, I didn't win the lottery. (Although I did do that once. Rage spent $200 and won $500. Definetly don't reccommend that!) Here's what happened.
This past spring, I had to leave the job I'd had for 7 years. My body could no longer handle the stress and it was literally killing me. Obviously, when that happened, I also had to give up all the benefits that came with it, including my Flexible Spending Account. That really sucked, as I relied on that little card to pay for all my expenses at the beginning of the year while waiting for my deductible to be met. But life goes on, and though my income stopped, my expenses didn't.
In comes the bills for my annual MRI and semi-annual lab work. While the tests were done before I left my job, the bills came in just as I left it. Nearly $1000 in bills. And my income just went to $0. Le sigh. Why does living cost so much? By mid-May I was employed again and thus began the long trudging of catching up. Now, $1000 may not be much to some people, but it sure is a lot for me! Thankfully, two places said I wouldn't be reported to collections as long as I paid something every month. The third, not so kind as I got the warning letter almost right away. (Thanks, Labcorp!) So. Labcorp got their $100 and the other two got whatever was left over at the end of the month.
Eventually though, something started nibbling at the back of my brain. (Metaphorically, of course. Since starting Kesimpta, I've been stable with no mylen being eaten away!) The nibble had to do with my FSA, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was. Don't you love how MS can mess with your mind like that? This week I finally figured out what had been bothering me. And the answer was so simple, I felt like an absolute idiot.
If you're not familiar with how FSA accounts work, you elect a certain amount at the beginning of the year. That amount is immedietly available for you to use for health expenses. You pay into the account throughout the year before taxes. When I quit my job, I stopped using the account since I was no longer paying into it. What I didn't take into account was how much I'd already deposited! Well a quick login to my account and some basic math (using a calculator, of course!) and I discover I've got about $500 of unused funds! The relief I felt at this was immeasurable! This wasn't just a random gift of a shopping spree, this was a much needed relief of a burden I hadn't realized was so heavy until it was lifted.
To end this story, I can say that my radiology bill has been paid in full and my neuro bill only has $200 outstanding. Compared to where I started, this is fabulous. I guess the moral is, God always provides, so why do I keep freaking out? That's rhetorical. I freak out because I'm a highly anxious person with a chronic illness and holes in my brain. LOL. One day at a time, my friends. One day at a time!
Comments