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

Marcos was diagnosed with a deviated septum causing chronic infections in July. The surgeon at Juiz de Fora Regional Medical Center recommended knee replacement surgery, and He is scheduled for September. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $1,150, and after what my employer's plan will pay we're still $850 short. my son has been in and out of Juiz de Fora Regional Medical Center since July. The doctors say a deviated septum causing chronic infections will get worse without knee replacement surgery. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $1,150 is more than we can find. While we wait, Marcos struggles with daily life and can't lift anything heavy. 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 Marcos won't be able to lift anything heavy, so the costs keep growing. I'll pay the hospital and pharmacy directly and post every receipt in the updates section. Where the $850 goes: • Travel and lodging for the family: $65 • Physiotherapy sessions: $240 • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $545 Thanks for reading all this. - Daniela