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Comment by throwwouq | Hacker News Reader

> Sorry that happened to you. My family is dealing with multiple health issues too.

I'm sorry to hear that. What's worrying you the most at the moment with relation to the health issues?

> $110k USD is likely to be a very large amount in your country, as it about 150% the median household income in the US.

It is a very good income for this part of the world, and also a good income for the US as you say. While higher pay can get you part of the way, there's some things that it can't get in my experience. For example, if I take out private health insurance at Allianz, it doesn't cover pre-existing conditions. Company-sponsored health insurance does usually cover pre-existing conditions.

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"I'm sorry to hear that. What's worrying you the most at the moment with relation to the health issues?"

The usual- costs, coverage, quality of life.

Are you sure nobody will cover it pre-existing? I saw Cigna has an international plan that might. It's likely the premiums will be very large. Maybe medical tourism could help with costs, like in Thailand.

On a side note, maybe it's possible to manufacture the drug yourself? I mean, what will the company do - sue someone who's already broke from paying for the meds?

I guess the other option is to find a different job, with a local company, that will provide insurance.

> The usual- costs, coverage, quality of life.

I don't know what you're going through but I feel you, stay strong. Yesterday the stress and anxiety built up to a point where I had to let it out and cried a bit. It's a cycle that repeats every couple of weeks. I'm thinking about getting in touch with a psychologist, I don't want to develop depression or anxiety issues.

> I saw Cigna has an international plan that might.

I'll look into that, thanks for the suggestion. I'd researched a few and their reps told me they wouldn't cover pre-existing, but I hadn't looked at Cigna.

> On a side note, maybe it's possible to manufacture the drug yourself?

Kadcyla is the drug, by gut tells making it myself is not a viable option for a number of reasons.

> I guess the other option is to find a different job, with a local company, that will provide insurance.

Local health insurance companies don't cover oncology drugs. Also, they pay 4x less than what I'm getting now (I'm in a small South American country).

Oh yeah, that's an antibody drug, so probably not a good chance of manufacturing it.

Good luck!

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