The most Expensive thing I never remembered

I was flying down the dirt road, my teeth chattering. In front of me i could hear the laughter of care-free festival goers. They were unknown compatriots, people just trying to help a guy as best as they thought they could. The dirt was left curling behind the car wheels, and even though i didn't check, I'm sure my bike was leaving it's own miniature dust trail behind us. Between the bike at the car was a narrow space- maybe 4 feet at the most. A long paracord line connected my bike handle bars to the shotgun side view mirror.
       "HEY!" I ask in staccato rhythm to the bumping ground.
"How fast are we going?"
      You may have asked yourself how did I get in this position? As much as I've thought about the answer, I still can't give myself a definitive one. Panic was a big reason, and being embarrassed too. As it turns out trying to hide an embarrassing thing usually ends with something even more embarrassing happening, along with the original secret you were trying to keep. Every stupid mistake will continue along it's path, until something strategic comes to mind to course correct.
     "Uhh, 28 miles-per-hour!". Not a reassuring number.
"Arf-Arf!" I bark out our established safety word, one arf for good, two arf's for bad.
     "I don't think this bike's tires can handle anything faster". A few more seconds as i watch the spokes whizz, their silver lines a blurring optical illusion, i'm looking for a pothole or pit that will be the utter doom of my band-aid bicycle solution. Like a black bag over a face, my vision goes dark and I'am utterly unconscious.
       
In America the easiest way to go from having a balanced bank account to falling into incredible debt is by going to the hospital.
 More than chronic illness or condition, people go into medical debt from one time, unpredictable visits to the hospital. This can be for a multitude of reasons. Many people who report medical debt are 'the insured' but their insurance didn't cover enough of their expenses, and what was left over was made into debt. Other people suffer from accidents that require special ambulatory services, and still others were insured but not in the right way. For instance, Life-Flight services take their own type of insurance. While not very expensive, (A year long policy might cost 65$) not having the insurance can be life changing.
        When I got into my accident at Eclipse Oregon I wasn't conscious enough to decide what was going to happen. I remember being warned that the lines into the Fest were going to be long, winding down a one way dirt road with no way out. I never thought those circumstances would sign me up for what would be the most expensive bill of my life. A lot of Med-flights cost around $35,000, compared against a 65$ yearly fee it seems like, once you know you're going on an isolated adventure then its best to get some. But then again maybe that's what these companies want all of us to think? Why else would the disparity between a yearly fee and a massive one time bill be so great? Most of these bills ended up being so huge, because it's expected that people will fight the cost. Like with other bills (generally medical) you can get a lot of the cost reduced. But industry understands this, so it's factored into the cost. Lots of people can argue a $35,000 bill down to $25,000. And still you can argue that your health insurance provider is supposed to cover medical transport (generally not specified), and have them cover say, another $10,000. Still, a $15,000 one time helicopter ride sits as a huge expense for any person.
        I'm glad that I was taken to a hospital and treated for some severe injuries. Who wouldn't be? I'm grateful for all the medical staff, the doctors and the nurses, and all the transport staff, from the helicopter pilot to the Taxi Cab who drove me back to the festival. But, I had a broken arm and a concussion. Arguably, these are not 'life threatening' injuries. Arguably, if I had been conscious and allowed to make a choice, I may found some other way to the hospital. Definitely, If I had looked into a crystal ball and seen the cost of the Medi-cab, I would have scrambled for any other option. But in all likely-hood, there really was no other option for me. Circumstance and destiny lent a heavy hand, one that can not be mitigated. My advice to you is, See if medicab insurance is right for your Situation.

Love

Arstin Viggin