Michael Hall
Aug 27, 2017 · 4 min read

LIVING WITH AN INGUINAL HERNIA, AND NOT BY CHOICE.

I am as close to 40 years old than I have ever been and will probably reach that milestone before you read this story. Now what I want to explain is that most of the anxiety involved with having my hernia, I truly brought upon myself. There is nothing more dangerous to peace of mind than a good WiFi signal with time off work between Dr appointments. I came to the realization that the size and discomfort associated with the hernia would have to be examined soon by someone that went to school a lot longer than I did and that someone needed to be able to answer my questions and be willing to do the surgery for cash.

I spent the better part of four years not wanting to have surgery but knowing it was only a sneeze or cough away from being absolutely necessary. During the first couple years it was barely noticeable, and you should know that there are thousands of inguinal hernias that never need surgery for whatever reason I am one of the lucky whom had to have surgery. So I make an appointment to get a diagnosis, which there wasn’t much question as to a diagnosis, I had a grapefruit sized protuberance to the right and just north of my junk. The GP (a Dr. That practice as a general practitioner)came in after the nurse had taken the prerequisite statistics, my blood pressure by the way 110 over 89 not bad for a guy who has never worried too much about his health. Now the moment I had been waiting for was here and the GP came in and said so you think you may have a hernia huh? I replied that it was and proceeded to drop trowel, barely concerned about exposing the goods in front of another man, and he reaches up and stops short and says ahh yep that’s a hernia and you will want to get that taken care of soon. Well needless to say I expected more for my money and was a bit underwhelmed by the whole experience up to that point, and he told me to make an appointment with a surgeon and pay the receptionist on the way out. I pulled my pants up and found my way back to the receptionist whose title should have been taker of debit cards, which I had to relinquish to her care before I went back for my exam, and who was about to tell me what was to be charged to my card. Both of us were a bit surprised when she said 237.00, because I involuntarily blurted several colorful and obscene words that drew the attention of all in the office. I was immediately embarrassed and glad my mother hadn’t been present for such a reaction. I caught the 2nd runaway tirade that was about to come out of my mouth, and stepped back took five deep breaths and then smiled apologized for my mouth and asked if there was a mistake. I calmly explained that the Dr had done nothing but some unsatisfying staring at my groin and that was it. Now she says ok hun one minute, I will see what we can do, I thanked her and the one minute turned into ten, and she came back with a big smile and said must be your lucky day I got the billing code changed and the new total is 165.00 ok? I said, it’s better than it was before so go head and I also need to set up an appointment with the surgeon. Well that is something I would have to call and do over their patient portal on the internet. Wow somebody should have warned me about how big a pain it was to get that appointment setup. After more than 3 failed attempts, I hung up and took a walk around the house practicing the previously mentioned 5 deep breaths. Then tried once again this time trying to speak calm and clear to the automated voice controlling access to the Dr who would be taking my consciousness and opening my insides in an attempt to repair the blowout my guts had had. I got an appointment with the surgeon and waited two weeks. After meeting the surgeon and allowing him to familiarize himself with my hernia set up the surgery.

The amount of the surgery was a point I wanted to make. The surgery center took the largest payment, in the amount of 2600.00. The surgeon was a 1000.00. The anesthesiologist was 1300.00. So after the Dr appointments and all the extras I spent nearly 6000.00. It still makes me cringe a little to see the total written in black and white. Now, I have Obama care and under my policy the total amount for most hernia surgeries would have been 15 to 20,000 dollars so had I used my insurance i would have been responsible for my deductible which is 10,000. I debated on what to do and after my research I had conversations with the surgeon and office manager at the Dr office and the surgical center, the deal that I received was based on me paying cash money. The difference for the Dr and all involved was they would have had to deal with an insurance company trying not to pay them and it would have taken months for them to get paid so to the Dr when I mentioned cash they agreed. Hope anyone who reads this keeps in mind that what you are told the first time is usually an inflated cost based on other factors than you. Always ask, if you don’t you could be accepting services that could cost twice as much as you have to.

Well that is just my experience and you may have better insurance or be better off financial situation than me. I was proud of myself for having been able to pay for the surgery and I didn’t need any help from anyone. I feel more grown up now.

)

Michael Hall

Written by

Once I wasn't this pessimistic ass but these days I am finding it harder and harder to stay positive and up beat.I wonder