I too am covered by insurance..but have to pay co pays and stuff... My parents tried to claim me this year on their taxes which was my suggestion, although they can't claim me because I am not labeled as disabled, they had to tell the tax guy how much money they have spent on my medicine, vitamins, and doctor visits. that alone came to over $12,240...
Then they added up other expenses like gas to get me to a doctor appointment that they pay for, car payments and car insurance, and food they pay for me...Bottom line, WITHOUT including rent, cable, internet, water, heat and all those other things that I would have to be paying if I lived on my own.. It was about $26,000 a year...
I also have a massive amount of medical bills that are outstanding...which have recked my credit...but are bills that I have accumulated that are not included in the above number....
I almost passed out when we figured this out..this doesn't include the money they hand me when ever I go out with my friends to have a good time, which they occasionaly do. My dad almost always leaves me gas and lunch money on the table in the morning. I feel so terrible about this, and this is one of the reasons I fight so hard to finish school so I can take on my own expenses. It breaks my heart to see the financial strain I am to my dad and step mom.
CF is not just about how much your medicine and doctor bills cost, but rather, the whole affect on your families financial situation
Jennifer