Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Cancer is....expensive

Ok, I think I figured out how to pay my exorbitant medical bills - I can take a 'hardship withdrawal' from my 401k. Turns out I can only do one of these a year, so I need to wait for my WBS and CT scan bills to come in so I can submit all my outstanding bills together, before I pull any money out so I withdraw only what I need. I have not even been scheduled for my CT scan yet, so not sure when I'd be able to submit my request for said withdrawal. I'm still responsible for about $800 before I meet my $7,500 out-of-pocket maximum for the year, so hopefully the CT scan will put me over my maximum and I'll be done with it.

Next time I'd have to do another major procedure, like RAI/WBS would be, I believe, at 6 months (next January?) if my CT scan comes back positive for uptake in my chest region. Otherwise, I think I would have to do RAI/WBS at the one year mark (next July). If I go on Thyrogen shots (2) instead of having to go off my meds to become severely hypothyroid for RAI, each Thyrogen shot is about $1,200. I know, going back to an HMO is so looking good right now!

At least I know where to get the money from. I'll be subject to the normal Federal and State taxes when I pull the money out, but not the 10% early withdrawal penalty since it will be used to pay for medical expenses. I know, a lot of people are probably saying that I shouldn't be touching my 401k, but it's really the only way out of this financial mess, especially since I still have not won the lottery yet. Sure I can win Ryan Lochte's right shoe, but I seem to have no such luck when it comes to winning the Mega Millions lottery draw.

If I ever am so fortunate that I won a crazy amount in a lottery draw, you can bet I'd create a foundation to fund Thyroid cancer research, help promote thyroid cancer awareness, and help those in need pay for their thyroid cancer treatments or meds. I'll probably never win the lottery, but whether or not I had the money to do all these things, these are things that are important to me because of who I am now.

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