So I’m five days away from a kidney transplant. This morning I had what I hope will be my last appointment at the dialysis clinic. No surprises. I brought in a specimen from the drain bags from last night’s home dialysis session. Went over my latest lab results with my PD (Peritoneal Dialysis) Nurse and the dietician. The Doctor listened to my lungs, felt my scrawny legs and looked over my lab results. I got a final shot to boost my Hemoglobin.
I have been deemed ready for my transplant.
I started Dialysis nine months ago and was suffering from a bad case of Uremia. The more common term is “blood poisoning” . I was not ready for my transplant then. I am anemic and have required monthly iron infusions and shots of a drug called Mercera to build up my Hemoglobin. The shot works very well. Without it I have difficulty breathing and very poor stamina.
All this time I have had to closely watch my diet to limit my intake of phosphorus and potassium. With no proper kidney function, these elements can raise havoc in a person’s body. I have to take pills to help my body expel phosphorus. I also take three different medications to control my blood pressure and another to manage my cholesterol, both side effects of my poor kidney function. I take three different vitamin supplements and an aspirin every day. I self test my blood sugar daily and lord knows they aren’t giving those test strips away. Because I’m insured, the co-pays for all this stuff have been manageable.
I am one of the fortunate ones.
I get health insurance through my job and my employers have been very supportive and understanding. They think I’m a reliable man and don’t want to lose me. I am presently drawing short-term disability pay through them.
All this is good news, but before I go under the knife, I’d like to show you the dirty underside of our health care system.
UW Health recently sold their Fitchburg Kidney Clinic to Fresenius Kidney Care. In addition to the PD section, this clinic houses a large hemodialysis facility, as well as a staff of doctors and RN’s who treat kidney patients not yet on dialysis. Let’s talk about what Fresenius charges my insurance company.
> The price of ONE daily session of Peritoneal Dialysis in my home: $3571.48.
You read that right, over 3 grand per day. I’ve been on dialysis for about nine months. You do the math.
>Iron infusion with Venofer (TM): $8673.00 per month. I’ve had nine of these treatments, one per month.
Yep, eight thousand dollars for a tiny bag of black liquid, less than a half pint. But that ain’t the worst of it.
Drum roll please.
>For the monthly shot that boosts my hemoglobin, a drug called Mercera: $32,278.00
No, you are not misreading that, thirty-two large and change for one shot. I have had six of them.
If I had no health insurance, I would have been bankrupt in short order.
Were it not for the Affordable Care Act, my kidney disease would have been deemed a pre-existing condition and I probably would have been denied insurance coverage.
Thanks, Obama!
I am not sure just how much the surgery and hospital stay will cost, but it ain’t gonna be cheap. Likewise for the anti-rejection drugs and follow-up care. I could have gone on with dialysis for years. From the figures above, you can see why my insurance company was very quick to approve the surgery. Health care for profit is immoral and barbaric. You will never change my mind on that.
I showed these bills to my PD nurse. For privacy reasons, let’s call her Jane. Jane said it filled her with shame to know she works for such an outfit. She is moving to a different job soon. Good luck to her. She has been a skilled and compassionate care giver. Thank you Jane. Mrs. ruleoflaw and I consider ourselves lucky to have been cared for by you.
I am going to get me a new kidney, vote for Biden/Harris and live a long time afterward.
