As many times as I've whined about (overall) medical costs, I now feel guilty. Last year, our total outlay was over $11,000 which included premiums and co-pays for service - quite a bit of service, including one surgery. That year, my company supplemented insurance had doubled our yearly co-pays to $5K (from $2.5K). Our deductible is still only $500. This year - though the premiums have gone up (again) by about 15% - I only have to pay half the premium because DW and I are both on Medicare (benefits coordinate with MC being first). Additionally, our youngest dropped off our coverage - a significant savings. On the negative side, due to a one-time large taxable gain on the sale of a property, our combined Medicare premiums for DW and me are about $280/mo. Next year, that should drop back to the standard rate (I think). Anyway, for our two plans (MC and supplemented supplement) our monthly is about $500. So, I guess I'll quit whining - for now.
I can recall going 20 years without more than the occasional small claim against my company's insurance. Since then, I suspect, I've cost my company's insurance more than my salary in claims some years. In the words of Will Sonnett "No brag. Just fact." Not proud of that, just saying. I've tried always to insure against those things I could not afford on my own, and health insurance has really paid off for me. The fact that I have supplemented coverage (and now MC) is probably the single biggest reason I can afford Paradise. The other biggest factor is the luck of decent investment results. The only factor I'll take credit for is being a good saver. YMMV.