If you had to have an operation...

I have insurance. However, my mother does not. She had surgery last year. The cost was similar. She has had to make some payment arrangements. The rest, I believe she put on a credit card. Because we live in different states, my current company would not allow me or my husband to put her on our policy. It is a sad state to be in at her age. So many other countries have a national healthcare system. Might be worth looking into.

If it's a surgery you must have sometimes the hospital has charity help ask them for a form? Does your state have any kind of Medicaid?

I'm actually in a position right now where I do need to come up with quite a bit of money very quickly, although it's so that my husband and I can get into a better place to live and not to pay for medical expenses, and we only need about $1,000 to $1,500.

The first thing that I've done is go out and look for a job. I haven't been very picky, so I've been applying at any place that is hiring. Today I put in an application at Taco Bell, and if all goes as it seems it will I'll have a job by tomorrow afternoon, after I go talk to the general manager.

My husband is also contemplating getting a second job to supplement our income, but on top of that I have placed an ad for one of our cars on Craigslist. I'm going to be selling a couple of things that I have around the house and either don't use or can afford to part with at this point. Some of my jewelry is also going to be going, simply because I never wear it. Another thing I'm going to be doing is applying to be a ChaCha guide, and writing articles for Associated Content.

One thing I do have to point out is that with medical bills, they will usually set up payments for you if you can't make the whole amount at once. I'd probably approach things a bit differently if I was in a situation where I could request smaller increments, but when you have to come up with the entire amount up front by yourself, you should exploit every opportunity that presents itself to you.  :)

WOW! Are you going through this?!
Well I guess as we own our house I would tap out our home equity. Though we don't have much and I don't think it would be enough to cover all that. Then I would try for bank loans I guess. And setting up payment plans with the doctors and hospitals.

I just ranted on another friends discussions about our health care in this country. It's a damn same that we actually have to worry about things like this - instead of us having universal health care and actually taking care of our fellow neighbors.

related resource: home health care

Before asking myself what would happen if I have to spend 8,000 dollars on a surgery, I would get medical insurance:)