Some say that your life is the sum of all your experiences. I buy that.

When I was a kid, I was always pretty healthy. I had the requisite scraps, bloody nose, broken arm, and about 25 stitches for various misjudgments. The worst memory was the tonsil removal with the ether mask. The promised ice cream was a huge disappointment.

When I got married and gathered a large family, I thought we were a fairly healthy lot until I started to add up all the significant medical experiences. It all started with our first breach baby and multiple caesarian section deliveries. One daughter had a heart defect which led to three heart catherizations and two open heart surgeries. Then an 8-year-old had a nine-month battle with osteomyolitis. There were multiple concussions, rotator cuff surgery, sprains, and so many emergency room visits with our young sons that we were known on a first-name basis at the Queen.

Now the kids are grown, out of the house, and my wife and I have settled in to many years of tranquil health and a serene life.

Wrong. Last week, I got a turn at the hospital. What was thought to be the flu (by me), turned out to be a failing gallbladder. A few days and several morphine shots later, I went in for laparoscopic surgery. They say it is better than the full incision type of removal. It was still no fun.

Now, after five days, the pain is lessening and my thoughts turn to one of the realities of life: money!

I started to estimate what the costs of this lifetime of medical care would be in today’s dollars. I am sure it would approach a million dollars. How could you possibly pay for it without medical insurance? You couldn’t.

Most of us gripe and complain about the high cost of medical premiums, but we shouldn’t. Have I paid a million dollars in premiums over the last 40 years? No way.

My advice is the carry the most comprehensive medical coverage you can afford.

If your employer provides it for you, you are lucky. If you have to participate in the cost, do it. If you don’t have employer-provided coverage, get a personal individual health policy.

You will have to provide your medical history to the insurance company. Tell the truth. They will either find out and your coverage will be voided or the claim for that condition will be excluded.

If the cost of premiums is a concern, opt for high deductibles or higher benefits like major medical insurance. Some plans also have co-payments for certain benefits that may reduce your overall premium.

Try to find a policy that is guaranteed renewable. This means that the policy can not be canceled if you become ill. If you pay the premiums, your policy stays in effect.

Also, find a respected, highly rated insurance company. There are many choices between health maintenance organizations (HMO), point of service (POS), preferred provider organizations (PPO) and traditional insurances. Compare the options.

Life moves fast. Stuff happens. Be insured.

Notable Quote: “Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.” — Benjamin Franklin

Tom is a registered investment adviser and certified financial planner. If you have questions or topics, you may call or write Tom at 3358 Linda Mesa Way Napa, CA 94558, 255-3721, fax 255-3939 or e-mail suntrm@aol.com.