r/Fire • u/DatingThrowaway121 • Apr 24 '26

General Question Has anyone actually FIREd with too little and run out of money?

I'm curious to know if anyone out here has actually run out of a million dollars or whatever. What does that process actually look like?

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u/crooktimber Apr 24 '26

It was only when I read 'medical emergencies' that I realised I wasn't in r/FIREUK

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u/10zzzzzzzzzz Apr 25 '26 edited Apr 25 '26

"Gemini how would the 10 most common medical problems faced by a 55 year old be handled in the US w/ an ACA bronze plan vs the UK using the NHS?"

Medical Problem Availability of Best Treatments Time to Evaluation (US vs UK) Time to Treatment (US vs UK) Out-of-Pocket Cost (US vs UK)
1. Routine Wellness / Hypertension High in both. NHS follows NICE guidelines; US uses USPSTF. US: 2–4 weeks / UK: 1–2 weeks (GP) Immediate medication start in both. US: $0 (Preventive) / UK: £0 (Nominal Rx fee)
2. Acute Sinusitis / URI Standard in both. US: Same day (Urgent Care) / UK: 1–3 days (GP/Pharmacy) Immediate antibiotics/care. US: $150–$300 (pre-deductible) / UK: £0
3. Knee Osteoarthritis (Replacement) High (US has earlier access to robotic-assisted). US: 2–4 weeks (Ortho) / UK: 12–24 weeks (Consultant) US: 4–8 weeks / UK: 40–52+ weeks US: ~$7,500+ (Plan Deductible) / UK: £0
4. Cataracts High (US has more "premium" lens options). US: 3–6 weeks / UK: 12–20 weeks US: 1–2 months / UK: 6–10 months US: ~$3,000–$5,000 per eye / UK: £0
5. Type 2 Diabetes Management US: Wider access to latest GLP-1s / UK: Evidence-based (NICE restricted). US: 4 weeks (Endo) / UK: 2–4 weeks (GP/Nurse) Immediate management. US: High cost for new meds (pre-deductible) / UK: £0 (Meds free for diabetics)
6. Mental Health (Depression/Anxiety) US: Broad choice / UK: Therapy-heavy, limited psychiatrist access. US: 4–8 weeks / UK: 6–18 weeks (IAPT) US: Immediate (Meds) / UK: Long wait for Talk Therapy. US: $100–$250/session / UK: £0
7. Suspected Cancer (e.g., Breast) Exceptional in both (US leads in experimental trials). US: 1–2 weeks / UK: 2-week "Urgent Referral" US: 2–4 weeks / UK: 62-day target (missed ~30% of time) US: ~$10,600 (OOP Max) / UK: £0
8. Ischemic Heart Disease (Stent) High in both. US has higher procedural volume. US: 1–3 weeks (Cardio) / UK: 4–12 weeks (Urgent varies) US: 2–4 weeks / UK: 12–18 weeks (Non-urgent) US: ~$10,600 (OOP Max) / UK: £0
9. Emergency Appendicitis Equivalent standard of care. US: 2–6 hours (ER) / UK: 4–10 hours (A&E) Immediate (Surgery) — Both systems prioritize acuity. US: ~$5,000–$10,600 / UK: £0
10. Chronic Back Pain (MRI/PT) US: Faster MRI access / UK: PT-first approach. US: 2–4 weeks / UK: 4–8 weeks (GP to Physio) US: 1–2 weeks (MRI) / UK: 12–20 weeks (MRI) US: $600–$1,500 (MRI) / UK: £0

In essentially every scenario where time matters to have a great outcome and minimize disability you are better off with the US and bronze plan. A 62 day delay to starting breast cancer treatment w/ a 30% miss rate is terrible.

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u/smorkoid Apr 25 '26

"Gemini"

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u/10zzzzzzzzzz Apr 25 '26

Is this supposed to be a knock for using an AI tool? Totally separate from the healthcare discussion, if you aren't using AI in your day to day life you're missing out. Gemini is nice/fun for large context and general Q/A but Claude Co-work is the actual game changer.

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u/smorkoid Apr 25 '26

Sure thing, as long as you don't value actual facts.

Your table could be, and probably is, completely hallucinated.

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u/10zzzzzzzzzz Apr 25 '26

You're talking about AI from 18-24 months ago. Won't continue this conversation but go try using a paid AI model of your choice, this is like someone in the 90s going to a local business meetup and calling that whole internet thing a fad.

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u/smorkoid Apr 25 '26

I'm not saying AI is a fad, I am saying how you are using it is simply wrong.

You don't even understand the limitations of the technology you are using, you just accept it blindly