A Human Face On Today's Healthcare System: 'I Have Lost Sleep Over How To Pay Expenses'

EAST HAMPTON, NY — With health care a hot topic in the news, one young woman's struggle has touched the hearts of a circle of friends and supporters who are rallying to help her.

For Mia Berg, who grew up in Springs and attended East Hampton High School, the past years have been plagued with pitfalls and painful challenges.

Her medical bills began to mount after she was thrown off her bicycle by a dog at 12 and lost a front tooth. Over the years, she said, she's paid thousands of dollars for root canals and replaced crowns.

"Dental insurance has never been available to me and does not typically cover 'cosmetic' work, as though my incisor is about vanity," she said.

And now, Berg recently underwent emergency oral surgery to salvage her jaw from bone loss due to a rampant infection, a GoFundMe page set up to help her said.

The page, "Mia's Tooth Mission," has raised $1,630 of its $7,500 goal so far.

Berg suffered a fracture in the root of her top right incisor which subsequently became infected and required immediate attention. Without emergency surgery, she could have lost significant enough amounts of bone in her jaw to result in permanent facial disfigurement, the page said.

The surgeon was able to remove a large cyst and clean out the infection, as well as place a temporary crown so that she once again has a tooth.

"In the next few weeks, Mia will be undergoing an additional surgery to repair her gum tissue, and finally will go through the process of being fitted with a permanent crown for her implant," the page said. "The unexpected expense of these surgeries is overwhelming, and is not covered by Mia's insurance. In addition to the out-of-pocket costs, Mia's health insurance premium and deductible is increasing significantly in 2017, assuming the Affordable Care Act continues to exist, anyway. The recent resurgence of Mia's multiple sclerosis has also added an additional burden to her finances, in the form of doctor fees, MRIs and lab costs — and has made evident a future of lifelong medication, testing, doctor visits and the accompanying expenses," the page said.

The total cost of all oral surgery will exceed $7,500, the page said.

Describing her experience, Berg said, "It's been super stressful. Financially, I have literally lost sleep over it, waking in a panic over how to pay expenses. Psychologically, it's been scary, as the diagnosis was actually quite dire at first."

Initially, her oral surgeon thought the surgery would be even more complicated and lengthy and cost nearly $20,000 in the end, including having to reshape the roots of several of her teeth, she said.

"And I was possibly confronting permanent disfigurement, even with emergency surgery," Berg said.

Emotionally, Berg said her own health travails have been especially challenging, as she has been simultaneously helping her mother, who lives in Springs, manage emergency heart surgery.

"Especially stressful has been the fact that I have just had a bad MS attack, which I have avoided for the past six years, and hoped would never happen again," she said. "I guess, in short, the hardest part has been taking care of my mom's needs and being super scared for her while privately trying to deal with and sort of sidelining my own needs and fears. I did not want to stress my mom out by telling her about what I'm going through. At a time where I'm longing to be taken care of a little bit, I've had to put on a brave face and be a caretaker, and that has been really tough."

Her life has been marked with painful turning points.

A lifetime of challenges

When she was just 17 years old, Berg's father, saxophonist Bob Berg, was killed in a tragic accident in Amagansett, just a few weeks after she had been diagnosed with MS.

"My mom was gravely injured in the accident as well and it was extremely hard to grieve with all the chaos happening. I'm honestly still going through the process. The connection and friendship and love I shared with my dad was so incredible, losing him was and continues to be devastating. I miss him beyond words and I'm still trying to process losing him so suddenly and so young."

But throughout her journey, friends have turned out to help.

Recently, Kate Mueth turned to social media to give a shout out for Berg's GoFundMe page.

"As if we Americans need anymore examples of just why our health insurance situation needs to go to a single payer format where we as a nation see one another's good health as a mandatory priority because we are a caring, intelligent nation — my friend Mia Berg is under incredible duress and needs to have major funding support because with insurance she is still buried in bills," she wrote.

"Mia is a young, hardworking, bright, and talented woman. She has performed generously with my company, given of her time and talents to my shows, and this current challenge, which could happen to any of us at any time, is setting her back. Please can you help her carry the weight of this horrible journey? Many hearts make for a lighter load," she wrote.

And, said Berg, that kind of support has meant everything.

"I have been overwhelmed with gratitude and love and an absolute rekindling of my faith in humanity, watching the donations and kind notes come in to my campaign. Seeing the names of my dear core crew of buddies, of old friends I haven't seen since childhood, and of acquaintances I haven't spoken to in five years, or my friend's friends and family — who I've never even met — sending donations and 'get well' notes. It warms my heart and uplifts my spirit so much," she said.

"My doctors are wonderful and talented, but one thing that their treatment cannot provide is this vital love and support from this beautiful extended network of people. I'm honored, amazed and incredibly grateful for people's generosity and warmth."

Thankfully, Berg said her tooth and jaw are healing and the GoFundMe has helped to ease some of the stress sparked by the financial burden.

"Especially upsetting and scary to me right now is the resurgence of my multiple sclerosis, because this is a lifelong and incurable disease which usually worsens with time," she said. "This new flare-up has been debilitating due to numbness and weakness in my hands and abdomen."

Recently, Berg has been barely been able to type, write, draw or use a stylus, which are her livelihood as a photographer, artist and illustrator.

She found a new neurologist but now has have several active brain and spine lesions "and am reeling a little from the idea of a life of continuous monitoring, testing, MRIs and medication with severe and difficult side effects. I am terrified by the concept of a future involving irreversible functional and cognitive decline — not to mention the ridiculous expenses associated with constant doctors' visits, test fees and medications. Although I'm still processing this frightening potential picture of my future, I'm doing all I can to be proactive."

To that end, Berg said she has just started an extensive autoimmune anti-inflammatory elimination diet, and practices daily meditation and stress reduction techniques, to help feel empowered.

To the community of hearts joining to help Berg on her journey, she has a message:

"It was difficult for me to make a public campaign asking for donations, I've never done anything like this before. In the couple days since I posted, my doubt and self consciousness about creating a GoFundMe has nearly completely dissolved. The eagerness of people to help others in need fills me with warmth. The financial aid is an incredible and imperative help, and relieves a lot of my stress associated with my procedures, and the show of care and support from donors displaying their willingness to contribute and cheer me on is just as helpful and important. In the midst of my medical challenges and fears I have been longing, as we all do, to feel cared for — and each contribution feels like a hug, which is the most important thing I could ask for."

To donate, click here.