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

Gerald was diagnosed with a hip fracture that never healed properly in August. The surgeon at Manukau General Hospital recommended valve repair surgery, and He is scheduled for November. 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 husband has been in and out of Manukau General Hospital since August. The doctors say a hip fracture that never healed properly will get worse without valve repair 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, Gerald 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 3 weeks. During that time Gerald won't be able to walk without help, so the costs keep growing. I'll pay the hospital and pharmacy directly and post every receipt in the updates section. Where the $7,150 goes: • Travel and lodging for the family: $170 • Post-operative medication: $390 • Hospital stay (4 nights): $2,750 • Physiotherapy sessions: $670 • Surgeon and anesthesia fees: $3,170 If you can't give, please share this page. It does reach people.