Special Report: Saving the million dollar baby

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Baby Jack Jumper has led an extraordinary life since his birth November 27. The only home he's known is a crib in the hospital, he lives with tubes everywhere.

Jack Jumper was born with heart problems, including a hole in his heart. He's had two surgeries already and will need more.

We met Jack's parents on a Saturday night in the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Vincent Women's Hospital. Weekends are often the only time the Miami County couple can see their son.

Both parents are back at work.

Michelle is a detective with the Indiana State Police at the Peru post. Jon works third shift for the Miami County Sheriff's Department.

"I've got to work Monday through Friday and then I can come on the weekends. So I just live for the weekends now," said Michelle.

The latest job for the law enforcement family is tackling the quickly-mounting stack of medical bills.

"November 27 through the first week of January," said Michelle, "Over $590,000 had been billed."

Baby Jack's medical care is quickly closing in on the million-dollar lifetime limit on his mom's health insurance policy through the state police.

"I had all the stress of Jack and I didn't want to add any stress to me, so I tried not to worry too much about it."

More people dealing with major medical issues find themselves in the same position as the Jumpers. That's because more insurance companies are putting a lifetime cap on health insurance benefits. Fifty-nine percent of plans have a cap, that's up 10 percent from five years ago.

In addition to the lifetime cap on insurance, the Jumpers make too much money for help from Social Security or Medicare. That has the parents facing difficult financial decisions.

"The options were one of us quit our job or a divorce," said Jon Jumper. "So we could file separate incomes."

Michelle and Jon Jumper have come to the conclusion they may never be out of debt.

"I'll live with bills," said Jon. "If they pile up, they pile up. He'll be healthy and we'll do with what we can."

And they look forward to the day when Jack is home sleeping in the crib that's waiting for him.

The Jumpers may be able to switch to an insurance policy through Jon's work, which would raise their lifetime cap. But that's not a done deal yet.

It turns out any kind of major medical issue, like heart disease, cancer or a sick baby can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars in no time flat.

That's why you should check your insurance policy to see what your lifetime limit is.