First, thank you for posting and sharing what you've went through.

I have 2 questions...

1. Were you claiming from 2 insurance companies for the same medical bill?

2. Based on the surgical cost and all other medical cost, which is about 60k, and with hindsight in mind, would you be better off without having any medical insurance and instead pay the cost out of your own pocket?

Your answer to (2) would be helpful since I don't have medical insurance and believe in self financing my own costs.

From what I heard, the potential medical costs are often exaggerated and overblown to inflate the amount of coverage and hence paying a higher premium than absolutely necessary.