This iReport is part of an assignment:
Bitter pill: The cost of health care in the U.S.
Sucking the life out of me.
As a self employed person, I had an individual medical insurance policy through blue cross, since the early 90's.
In 2004, I had an artery unblocked with an angioplasty, which, minus the deductible, the insurance paid in full. Within 5 years, the rates had gotten to over $700 a month, just for me. I had already changed to the highest possible deductible, and, the excuse i received from blue cross was that because the policy I have is no longer offered for sale, there is nothing short of canceling the policy that I can do to reduce the premium amount. By 2010, It was over 850, and that coupled with less work, meant that I wound up having to sell my house that I owed NOTHING on, but the insurance premiums were making it impossible to pay my taxes. I sold my house in 2011, and between credit cards, and a loan, I m going to make it to medicare eligibility with 20k in debt, just for insurance premiums. The premium is now over 950/month. Because of just barely being able to pay the premiums. I still owe years of deductible....and because of this, have had to put everything I own in a family trust to prevent the extortion from continuing after I die, and taking what I worked my whole life for to leave to my children. Im in excellent health, and have no complaints other than this medical insurance theft program has ruined my life. Made me lose my home. Put me in debt, where there was none. It made a previously successful and productive life, into a shambles of insecurity and desperation. I feel violated, lied to, manipulated, and conned every step of the way....it isnt a service that Im buying, its a protection racket that isnt satisfied untill they get everything.
In 2004, I had an artery unblocked with an angioplasty, which, minus the deductible, the insurance paid in full. Within 5 years, the rates had gotten to over $700 a month, just for me. I had already changed to the highest possible deductible, and, the excuse i received from blue cross was that because the policy I have is no longer offered for sale, there is nothing short of canceling the policy that I can do to reduce the premium amount. By 2010, It was over 850, and that coupled with less work, meant that I wound up having to sell my house that I owed NOTHING on, but the insurance premiums were making it impossible to pay my taxes. I sold my house in 2011, and between credit cards, and a loan, I m going to make it to medicare eligibility with 20k in debt, just for insurance premiums. The premium is now over 950/month. Because of just barely being able to pay the premiums. I still owe years of deductible....and because of this, have had to put everything I own in a family trust to prevent the extortion from continuing after I die, and taking what I worked my whole life for to leave to my children. Im in excellent health, and have no complaints other than this medical insurance theft program has ruined my life. Made me lose my home. Put me in debt, where there was none. It made a previously successful and productive life, into a shambles of insecurity and desperation. I feel violated, lied to, manipulated, and conned every step of the way....it isnt a service that Im buying, its a protection racket that isnt satisfied untill they get everything.
- TAGS:
- GROUPS:
What do you think of this story?
Select one of the options below. Your feedback will help tell CNN producers what to do with this iReport. If you'd like, you can explain your choice in the comments below.
Be and editor! Choose an option below:
More from this assignment - Bitter pill: The cost of health care in the U.S.
iReport welcomes a lively discussion, so comments on iReports are not pre-screened before they post. See the iReport community guidelines for details about content that is not welcome on iReport.
© 2013 Cable News Network. 
Comments