> However, if I need open heart surgery, $8k is fair. A "one-off" treatment such as this is one thing, but the co-pay system really breaks down for the individ

> However, if I need open heart surgery, $8k is fair. A "one-off" treatment such as this is one thing, but the co-pay system really breaks down for the individual once you start talking chronic conditions that require regular treatments for life. In that case your insurance company may start to see you as a liability and raise the co-pay until treatment is no longer econically viable for the patient.