It was supposed to be a very special day for Janet – her granddaughter’s wedding in Sydney. Instead, the 72 year old found herself in hospital with a broken leg and steadily mounting medical bills.
“I still don’t know what happened. One minute I was going down some stairs, the next I was lying on the ground, in severe pain. I knew it was serious. And being a Saturday there was a long wait for an ambulance – apparently they’re always busy at sports events.”
Janet missed the wedding. Instead, she spent hours at a medical centre before being sent back to her hotel room for the night. The next day she was back in the medical centre, where x-rays confirmed her leg was broken. She was then transferred to hospital where three pins were inserted in her upper right leg. After six nights recuperating she was allowed back to her hotel room before being flown home business class, accompanied by a nurse.
The total cost for treatment and her repatriation was more than $21,000.
“It’s just not worth thinking about not having medical insurance. It was the first thing I was asked by the ambulance people when they arrived. Missing the wedding ceremony was disappointing of course – but knowing I was covered made it all a little easier.”