Q&A: Itemizing the Quarter-Million-Dollar Medical Bill

Day 3 · 2:46:23 · Dean Allison · Patricia Leidl

• 💸 Hyperbaric oxygen, intensive physiotherapy, supplements and uncovered pain-clinic procedures dominate spending.
• 🧾 Limited extra insurance leaves most costs on her personally.
• 🌍 Prior Afghanistan danger pay provided a cushion many other injured lack.

Chair probes the $250 K out-of-pocket burden.

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Transcript

Dean Allison · 2:46:23

So I, I just like, you know, one of the things that we hear over and over again is the additional costs in terms of trying to get help medically. You mentioned a quarter million dollars.

Patricia Leidl · 2:46:35

I have spent a quarter million dollars.

Dean Allison · 2:46:37

What types of things?

Patricia Leidl · 2:46:39

I have spent it on, um, hyperbaric oxygen therapy. I have spent it primarily on physiotherapy, supplements. A lot of the treatments that I've received are not covered by the medical plan. I do have some additional insurance, but basically I'm spending this out of my own funds. Fortunately for me, in my previous work, I did receive danger pay. You know, I worked in Afghanistan and a few other places, so that has represented a cushion. But other people I know have not been nearly as fortunate.

Dean Allison · 2:47:17

Yeah, Mr. Motz, and then I'll go over to Mr. Hill.