First Came Kidney Failure. Then There Was The $540,842 Bill For Dialysis

"For months, Sovereign Valentine had been feeling progressively run-down. The 50-year-old personal trainer, who goes by "Sov," tried changing his workout and diet to no avail."

"Finally, one Sunday, he drove himself to the hospital in the small town of Plains, Mont., where his wife, Jessica, happened to be the physician on call. 'I couldn't stop throwing up. I was just toxic."

"It turned out he was in kidney failure and needed dialysis immediately."

"'I was in shock, but I was so weak that I couldn't even worry,' he said. 'I just turned it over to God."

"He was admitted to a nearby hospital that was equipped to stabilize his condition and to get his first dialysis session. A social worker there arranged for him to follow up with outpatient dialysis, three times a week. She told them Sov had two options, both about 70 miles from his home. They chose a Fresenius Kidney Care clinic in Missoula."