Knee replacement surgery for Carlos: covering what insurance won't

Carlos was diagnosed with gallstones with repeated infections in July. The surgeon at Saint Joseph Hospital recommended knee replacement surgery, and He is scheduled for October. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $12,000, and after what my insurance will pay we're still $7,150 short. my father has been in and out of Saint Joseph Hospital since July. The doctors say gallstones with repeated infections will get worse without knee replacement surgery. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $12,000 is more than we can find. While we wait, Carlos struggles with daily life and can't walk without help. His family has taken turns caring for him, and I've cut my own work hours to be there. Recovery is expected to take about 5 weeks. During that time Carlos won't be able to walk without help, so the costs keep growing. The money goes straight to the treatment bills, and I'll share the invoices as they're paid so you can see exactly what your gift did. Where the $7,150 goes: • Hospital stay (3 nights): $3,400 • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $3,200 • Post-operative medication: $400 • Travel and lodging for the family: $150 I'll keep this page updated with receipts as things happen.