i am a teacher employed by a public school district. our insurance was through blue cross, and it was adequate enough. the co-pays for most things were really high. but like i said it covered a large part of the surgery. we saw the bills as they came because insurance is required to send them, and just the hospital stay alone was $12k. all i had to pay was the doctor himself for the surgery, and the anesthesiologist bills. like i said, total, we paid about $600.
i think they took nearly $150-200 out of my paycheck each month (yes i only got paid monthly) for premiums.

you do need to get it fixed asap, especially if it's pain, and not just discomfort.