I used to include the details of my illness on this blog but removed them because my condition was rare and it would certainly identify me to friends and family. I would be happy to chat with you though, you can email me at onefrugalgirl @ gmail.com for more details.

Actually anyone who is reading this post and in need of a chat can feel free to email me.

I was dx with multiple sclerosis when I was 38. I will be 45 next month. Chronic illness can be so overwhelming…and no I don’t have disability insurance, and of course now I can’t get it.

Take care

I’m glad my comment partly inspried this post b/c it’s such an important issue to be prepared for I think, as you said. Your tips are right on but I would point out that the PPO while much better medically in my opinion ends up being the more expensive option when you are sick. You end up paying usually larger copays, coinsurance, etc than with an HMO. Still I got not one medical issue properly tended to when I had an HMO (Kaiser) and I can say that at least with my PPO I have had better results, though it has cost me. Still I think the PPO option is def. worth it.

I totally agree with you about dis. ins. but I feel that many think this will take care of them if they are ill. In reality dis. ins. pays only a portion of your former salary and in many cases does NOT rise with infaltion, which renders it nearly useless for long term disability.

There’s only so much one can prepare and I think our healthcare system needs some serious help, but planning ahead, having money saved, learning to live on less before you actually HAVE to, those are all helpful ways to be prepared for the unexpected.

Thanks for talking about this topic. It’s close to my heart and really important. I have a post coming up about this issue and the one you discussed in your previous post (luck) soon–I hope you’ll consider taking a look at it.

Luckily, my current doctor is quite a good advocate for the care I’ve required but he’s an exception to the rule. In most other cases I would echo your recommendation of the PPO. And having an emergency fund, short-term disability and long-term disability policies are all essential!