Today, I flew to America for my dad's funeral. I broke my vials of insulin and went to a pharmacy for a refill. No one told me they charge for insulin in America. One vial cost 270 dollars, the funeral is three days away and after booking a hotel, I have 6 dollars to feed myself. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, I was on a one day business trip to America, literally, one day, I didn’t even need a hotel, just straight back to the airport. I woke up in hospital, an AMERICAN hospital, because I got a blood clot from the flight and needed surgery. The bill is astronomical and I’m uninsured. FML
Today, it's been two years since my dad died on my birthday. Last year I was able to be out of the US on the day thanks to rewards points, because I don't want to be around my normal boring routine the day of. This year I could have made it if my car's repair cost less than $600. Turns out it's going to cost $1000. FML
Today, after spending at least two hours on the phone every day for the past week, my health insurer I pay a huge monthly premium to agreed to cover my life-sustaining insulin. But they won't contribute to the cost until after I've paid an unaffordable deductible first. I'm going to die even though I'm insured. FML
Today, my absentee dad died in America and some branch of the American government decided that I need to settle his debts. "Which debts?" you ask. Unpaid child support. Yes, America wants me to pay them my own child support, despite never meeting my dad or even once setting foot in America. FML
Today, after spending thousands of Euros flying back to my home country to pick up my expensive prescription medicine, I found out that I can buy it 200 meters from my current home, without prescription, and at a quarter of the price. FML
Today, our dog died suddenly, so I paid for tests to find out why. Turns out she had zero blood sugar, like a diabetic who overdosed on insulin. I’m diabetic and I’m always telling my 6 year-old son it’s medicine to make daddy better. The dog was sick yesterday, and my son knows how I inject. Damn. FML
Today, my parents said we can't go to our grandma's funeral because it's going to be held in Hawaii in accordance with her wishes and we can't afford to travel. FML
Today, my dad paid for plane tickets for my brother’s girlfriend and her two kids so they could go to the family reunion on the other side of the country. He refused to buy my ticket though, because I "should’ve planned better." I lost my job due to Covid and used my savings to pay rent and bills. FML
Today, my dad asked me to lend him some money to buy his medication, since he's all but broke right now. He returned with nothing but a bottle of tequila. FML
Today, my mom booked my family a $250 spot for a dinner cruise. I'm a type 1 diabetic in diabetic ketoacidosis. I told her that I needed to go to the hospital as this could kill me. Her response? "WHAT ABOUT THE $250 I PAID FOR THE CRUISE?!" I guess she cares more about the money than the fact I might die. Thanks mom. FML
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Top comments
Chazzster 32
I am sorry that the USA’s healthcare system costs was such a shock to you. I hope that someone in your family is able to help you out with the costs. As bad as this was for you, the FML is really for those of us born into this ridiculous healthcare system. We have to either have expensive health insurance and co-insurance (insurance that covers the cost your primary insurance doesn’t pay) and expensive co-pays or be stuck paying the full price for all medical procedures and prescriptions. I have read that one of the biggest causes of bankruptcy in the USA is a major medical emergency in the family.
voltroz 18
Welcome to the USA!
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Comments (14)
coolrunnings1021 14
Thats why i dont complain about the NHS
ChipBoundary 9
Yes, just let everyone else pay for your things. Good call.
coolrunnings1021 14
ive paid my NI contributions all my working life. So not letting anyone pay for it
alex_jaguara 33
That's how it's done in the civilized countries. People pay a small sum for health insurance every month for when someone is in need, he wouldn't need to pay hundreds of thousands which he probably doesn't have.
Suzi_d16 27
If you’re working and paying your tax/national insurance, then you’re contributing to the running costs of the NHS and not actually “letting everyone else” pay for it.
voltroz 18
Welcome to the USA!
sarsuela 29
FYL but how did you not know that?
UniUni 20
Yes, because a person from a different continent is supposed to know how things work over here
ChipBoundary 9
They have family here.... ignorance is no excuse, especially because it is a father.
1known 34
Your social security could perhaps cover you.
RichardPencil 32
Surely, your dad's life insurance will cover the cost. Apparently, everyone here has life insurance. There are no other grieving relatives who can feed you?
Chazzster 32
I am sorry that the USA’s healthcare system costs was such a shock to you. I hope that someone in your family is able to help you out with the costs. As bad as this was for you, the FML is really for those of us born into this ridiculous healthcare system. We have to either have expensive health insurance and co-insurance (insurance that covers the cost your primary insurance doesn’t pay) and expensive co-pays or be stuck paying the full price for all medical procedures and prescriptions. I have read that one of the biggest causes of bankruptcy in the USA is a major medical emergency in the family.
failedgamer01 20
Diabetes is awful for those who live in the US. Insulin prices are a constant struggle. It breaks my heart to know that loved ones are having such a hard time affording something they desperately need.
randybryant799 21
You don't even live in this country and you somehow thought you would get free drugs? That makes no sense. Why in the world would they be free?
alex_jaguara 33
Because it's life saving maybe? And should be accessible to all. And not thousands percent overpriced.
pink unicorn 7
because they are free (or almost, like a few bucks, if you are not resident) everywhere in Europe.... makes perfect sense for all Europeans... 270$ for à life saving drug? you are not chocked?! So if you are poor you just die? what a disgusting mentality
Nhayaa2.0 17
I think it's more about the price than having to pay for it, really. Prices in the US are crazy. Some meds and medical care are sometimes 10 times higher than in Europe. In here, health is not a free market.
CTscan 8
ah yes the country where if you have to go to the hospital you have to sell 2 kidneys and a lung to afford it
TruthSoothsayer 3
If you happen to be in Portland, OR and have the same type of insulin I will give you a vial or two. Just switched to the pen.