Years ago I had a position that required a fair amount of traveling. My employer provided me with a car and paid for all gas and repairs. I received a new car every two years or 60,000 miles, whichever came first.

An acquaintance in a similar position who had to drive his own car and was reimbursed for mileage objected to my generous arrangement on principle. “You take better care of a car when you own it and pay for it yourself,” he said smugly. “It’s easier to abuse something when you’re not invested in it.”

I thought of his remark recently after undergoing major surgery and not paying a cent of it myself. I saw the summaries from Medicare and my supplemental plan, and I waited for someone to bill me for my share, but it never came. In fact, ever since being on Medicare I’ve paid for nothing out-of-pocket except medications. I thought one prescription cost too much and asked my doctor if there was something less expensive but just as effective. It turned out there was – but I had to ask for it.

Get The Drift for the rest of this cautionary tale.