This is, of course, all very reasonable and important advice. Everyone should follow it. But it turns out that medical expenses are beyond the scope of normal

This is, of course, all very reasonable and important advice. Everyone should follow it. But it turns out that medical expenses are beyond the scope of normal and appropriate financial planning. They are a systematic problem in the United States and require a systematic solution. In many cases, the insurance required to prevent the kinds of financial problems in the OPs question are unavailable at any price and the expenses associated are financially harmful for all but the richest members of our society. There is basically no way to answer this Ask without addressing the systematic problem of health care.