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

Mateo was diagnosed with a hernia that has become strangulated in February. The surgeon at Saint Luke Hospital recommended knee replacement surgery, and He is scheduled for May. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $1,650, and after what my employer's plan will pay we're still $1,000 short. my father has been in and out of Saint Luke Hospital since February. The doctors say a hernia that has become strangulated will get worse without knee replacement surgery. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $1,650 is more than we can find. While we wait, Mateo struggles with daily life and can't climb stairs. His family has taken turns caring for him, and I've cut my own work hours to be there. Rehabilitation is expected to take about 12 weeks. During that time Mateo won't be able to climb stairs, 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 $1,000 goes: • Post-operative medication: $155 • Travel and lodging for the family: $310 • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $535 I never thought I'd be the one asking, and I'm grateful for every bit of support. - Andrew