Im lucky, although on a low income I make sure my insurance is paid up and go down the private road too. Although I discharge myself as soon as I am safe, sometimes before I am safe. My bills have been around 40,000 a stay and I have been in more than a dozen times. Only thing I have to pay is for meds and tv, Im usually out of pocket around 500.

If I go the public road that is free (except for meds) but that is not helpful.