Valve repair surgery for Ben: covering what insurance won't

Ben was diagnosed with an aortic valve defect in August. The surgeon at Saint Matthew Hospital recommended valve repair surgery, and He is scheduled for October. The hospital's financial office gave us a written estimate of $6,000, and after what our health plan will pay we're still $4,700 short. my father has been in and out of Saint Matthew Hospital since August. The doctors say an aortic valve defect will get worse without valve repair surgery. We have emptied our savings and borrowed from relatives, but the estimate of $6,000 is more than we can find. While we wait, Ben 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. The recovery period is expected to take about 3 weeks. During that time Ben 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 $4,700 goes: • Pre-operative tests and imaging: $360 • Physiotherapy sessions: $770 • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $3,300 • Travel and lodging for the family: $270 I'll pay this kindness forward the moment I'm able to. - Nina