Don - Curious if your Dad's healthcare costs are 12k a month with insurance or without? And my condolences to your dad. No matter how prepared we are, when the time comes its never easy.
-Sean
I only use my personal experience to illustrate the costs. Fortunately for his estate and wish to provide for his grand children he has a benefactor who provides the funding for his care, he is a disabled WWII navy vet.
My personal ethic says that if you are not eligible for Medicaid or Medicare then you should pay something towards your future needs. I was invincible once upon a time, and now I live (by the grace of God) with a cancer that is (thus far) untreatable. Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma. Everyday is a gift, and my wife will never be encumbered by astronomical medical care costs.
A hospital usually will willingly write off co-pays. BUT if you don't have insurance.....they may send you away with minimal treatment. My cancer was discovered in an emergency room. They did not send me away.
I am just a poor slob like most average guys....but with my health insurance I am treated like a millionaire.
PS You can review the ACA offerings here in detail w/o giving up your personal info. You can find policies that cover you nationwide that meet ACA standards.
http://www.thehealthsherpa.com/http://www.valuepenguin.com/