Conroe Woman Faces $13K Medical Bill After Cruise Emergency

A woman from Conroe experienced her first-ever cruise as a challenging journey, facing an unexpected health emergency that resulted in her family accumulating over $13,000 in medical expenses.

Just two days into a Royal Caribbean cruise from Galveston to Mexico, 21-year-old Khiali Baxter became unwell in her cabin. “I woke up and began to vomit blood. Regrettably, I found myself unconscious on the ground,” she stated.

Officials quickly took Baxter to the ship’s medical center, where doctors indicated she was experiencing internal bleeding. She was taken by ambulance to a hospital located four hours away in Mexico. Her parents were contacted with an unexpected demand: they needed to pay in advance before any medical treatment for their daughter.

“We’ll proceed as far as the $2,500 allows us to go.” "I’ve never encountered anything like this before," remembered Craig Baxter, Khiali’s father.

Medical professionals conducted an endoscopy and colonoscopy, yet the source of the bleeding remains undetermined. Khiali recounted the ordeal as frightening: “I could feel myself kind of going in and out of consciousness.” I felt an overwhelming chill and a deep sense of fear.

The expenses escalated rapidly. The total cost of medical care received on the cruise ship was $4,048. The medical facility in Mexico presented a detailed bill totaling $9,970. Extra costs encompassed airfare and accommodations as the family organized Khiali’s recuperation.

The Baxters incurred expenses exceeding $13,000 from their own funds. A GoFundMe campaign has alleviated some of the family's financial burdens, yet they express a desire for their ordeal to serve as a cautionary tale.

“At times, what begins as an unforgettable journey can turn into an unforgettable predicament,” Craig Baxter remarked.

The family emphasizes the critical role of travel insurance, a factor they acknowledge they overlooked before making their travel arrangements. “It was an incredibly frightening experience... "I truly regret not having purchased travel insurance," Khiali expressed.

Jeff Rolander, vice president of claims and customer experience at Faye Travel Insurance, emphasized the importance of thoroughly reviewing policies before making any bookings. “A thorough travel insurance option generally ranges from 6 to 8% of the total trip expense,” Rolander stated. He noted that coverage can encompass a wide range of issues, including interruptions during travel, medical expenses, and transportation for medical needs.

The Baxter family focuses on increasing awareness to help others avoid similar financial surprises. “It was a revealing experience that I hope equips other young individuals,” Craig Baxter stated.

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