PSA: If you are planning on getting testing or surgery done through a hospital, you should ALWAYS research the name of the hospital + "financial assistance". I make under $32,000 per year and have insurance, but still have many medical bills. However, I applied for financial assistance through Sentara's medical system and now all of my bills are 100% covered any time I see a Sentara affiliated doctor, visit a Sentara affiliated medical building, or use a Sentara affiliated lab. Some people can qualify for at least partial coverage, if not 100%.
Please, you should never pay full price on a large medical bill without checking to see if financial assistance is available! If you can't find it online, call the billing department. Don't let this disease put you into even more debt. And if you ever need help applying, please message me. You don't have to be alone in navigating bureaucracy.