CLEVELAND — Survivors of COVID-19 faced the enemy and won the health battle. But now, they face the medical bills. 5 On Your Side Investigators are following survivors and what their financial costs will be.
The coronavirus just doesn’t care.
“Something came over me. I just couldn’t explain it,” said Franklin Myles, 54, from Twinsburg. COVID-19 didn’t think twice about hitting him while he was at work in mid-March. “By that evening, my entire body ached,” said Franklin.
Coronavirus had no problem giving him a fever for nine more days at home. It made his family call 911.
“When the emergency medical people came in their gear and their masks and all that stuff was kind of surprising,” recalled Franklin.
“That was really scary.” said his wife Tanya Myles. “You don’t know what’s going to happen and you can’t be (at the hospital with him).”
COVID-19 continued its attack at the hospital, forcing Myles to go on oxygen, on medications, and into uncertainty.
“They couldn’t give assurances because this was something no one really knew about,” said Franklin. “So, there were people who went in there as healthy or healthier than I did, and they kind of didn’t make it.”
Meanwhile, the virus took aim at his family at home. Tanya and their son had mild symptoms. Their daughter Mariah Myles, 18, had a fever, headache, and coughing.
“It was really scary, obviously,” said Mariah. “I wasn’t too worried about myself…more for (my dad).”
Coronavirus kept Franklin in the hospital with around-the-clock care.
“It wasn’t until the end of day five that they were actually able to take the oxygen off me,” said Franklin. “So, they tried a couple of times and my oxygen level would go down.”
By day six, Franklin got a partial victory over the virus. He was sent back home, but also back into a 14-day quarantine.
“I came in probably five to six times a day,” said Tanya about helping Franklin during that time. “I wore a mask and gloves,” she added.
Franklin feels much better these days, but the fear now is about finances.
“I have a six-day hospital stay so, I’m kind of scared to see what that bill is going to look like,” explained Franklin. “I know it’s coming.”
Franklin owns a business and has insurance, but it’s still a worry. “We were not expecting to have a six-day hospital stay which I’m assuming is going to be a huge cost,” said Tanya.
The government covered COVID-19 tests for Franklin. He hopes more assistance is on the way.
“It’s interesting to see if there’s going to be any kind of help related to taking care of some of the finances as it relates to the bills,” he said.
So, you see, the coronavirus doesn’t care…not about you, your health, or your costs. But we do care. We’re here to help.
We want to see your coronavirus hospital and/or treatment bills. This is all similar to our Diagnosis: Debtseries of reports. Send us your bills and contact information at InvestigatorTips@WEWS.com. We will follow up on your concerns.