Medical care is expensive. Insurance is expensive. I racked up over a quarter of a million in medical fees over the last decade or so. For four of those years, I was unable to work. My Social Security case went on for 10 years because they lost all the exhibits, nearly a thousand pages! As of this writing, I am in the Medicare Gap , formerly known as the donut hole. Tier 3 meds are now carrying a $180 a month co-pay. The circus starts again on January 1 when I meed the deductible.
Financial stigma includes:
- Having to make difficult choices and ration care
- Inability to contribute to household income
- Draining household income
- Relying on charity or government assistance
- Loss of self-esteem
- Food and housing insecurity
- Ruined credit
