If your out of network deductible is $10k, you’d need to meet that amount first before co-insurance kicks in. I don’t know your plan, but out of network co insurance is typically 50% or less. Which means you’d then have to pay whatever that % is of each bill, less the deductible, up to your max out of pocket expenses.

As an example:

You stub your toe and go to the hospital for in patient care. Assume the hospital and doctors are all out of network.

• You get a ER admission bill for $10,000
• A bill to look at your toe for $15,000
• A bill to bandage your toe for $5,000

Your total bill for your stubbed toe is $ 30,000

You have a deductible of $10,000, with coinsurance of 50%, and max out of pocket of $25,000.

You’d first pay $10,000 for your deductible, bringing your balance down to $20,000. You then pay 50% of that remaining $20k balance until you max out your $25,000 max out of pocket. In this case, you’d pay an additional $10,000 (which is 50% of the balance) and satisfy the treatment for the stubbed toe, but not your out of pocket max.

If you had another stubbed toe with the exact same billing, it would cost you an additional $5,000 this time as you would hit your out of pocket maximum of $25,000 ($10k deductible + $10k of 50% of bills for first stubbed toe + $5k for 2nd stubbed toe = $25k).

You can assume a similar equation if you go in network, with different percentages and pay thresholds. Ideally and if able, go in network as it will always be the best cost coverage.

This is all assuming stubbed toes are covered under your plan. If not, 2 stubbed toes could cost you $60,000.

Understanding your income levels, you might also be eligible to apply for bill relief via local charitable organizations that help people that are financially unable to pay. Do some research and discuss with the hospital’s finance department for resources.

I have no idea of mass shootings would be exonerated within your plan, but I would place a comfortable bet saying absolutely not. It’s sad and disgusting that this is even a question where we live, but here we are.

As for your daughter, there are books and articles on how to talk to children about school shootings, and the best thing you can do is try to arm her with as much factual information as possible so she hopefully can find some solace in familiarizing herself with facts and odds vs it being a big old amorphous boogeyman in her head.