Could You Afford a Medical Emergency Without Credit Cards?

So, I’m chilling, watching this wild vlog about a dude in Switzerland who straight-up broke his collarbone. This guy’s camera game is strong, like he’s filming the whole journey from the mountain bike path to the hospital. And let me tell you, it’s not just a leisurely bike ride. Homeboy had to be airlifted off that trail, and guess what? Before they even got him on the chopper, they hit him with a cool $2000 bill. Yup, you read that right – $2000 just to get the ride of a lifetime on a helicopter.

But wait, it gets better. Once he lands at the hospital, they wasted no time in getting him an X-ray. But before they even snapped a pic of his poor broken bone, he had to swipe his card again. This time, it was a hefty $12,500 authorization. Like, dang, talk about adding insult to injury.

Now, here’s the kicker – what if this poor dude didn’t have a credit card or the credit limit to cover these insane costs? I mean, medical bills can shoot up faster than you can say “ouch,” and most of us don’t have stacks of cash just lying around for emergencies like this. Would they have just left him there, collarbone dangling in the wind?

I, for one, have some insurance through my trusty Amex card, but I’ve never had to put it to the test like this guy. So, I’m left wondering – would Amex come through in a crisis like this? Would they hit me with that sweet, sweet credit approval to cover my back when I’m facing a mountain of medical debt?

It’s a scary thought, really. One moment you’re out enjoying the Swiss scenery on your bike, and the next, you’re swiping your card like it’s nobody’s business just to get the care you need. Medical emergencies don’t care if you’re financially prepared or not – they come at you fast, and you better hope you’ve got a backup plan in place.

So, next time I’m out there living my best life, I’ll be sure to keep my Amex close and my fingers crossed that I never have to test its limits like our Swiss friend did. Because let’s face it, breaking bones is painful enough without adding a mountain of debt on top of it.