Mick Foley Hasn’t Had Hip Surgery Yet, Because He Doesn’t Have Health Insurance

Recently, news came out that Raw General Manager and WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley would be taking time off at some point to get hip replacement surgery, which explained the rapidly shrinking frame of the famously husky heavyweight.

On Tuesday, Diamond Dallas Page sent out a tweet suggesting Foley had already had the operation, which obviously got people to talking.

But that tweet has proved to be pretty inaccurate. Foley took to Facebook to set the record straight about what’s going on with him. No, he hasn’t had the operation yet, because his health insurance has lapsed due to a missed payment. While he’s working on getting his insurance situation sorted out for 2017, he revealed that the cost of the operation without insurance will be $60,000, and that he’s not currently under a performance contract with WWE, as his current onscreen role of Raw GM is a “handshake deal.” Given all the public spats that Foley and WWE have had over the years, that’s a remarkable show of faith for both parties.

Before Foley shells out $60K out of pocket, he’s going to explore some other options — beyond the 100 pounds he’s already lost. Let the man himself explain it to you:

ABOUT THAT HIP OPERATION

I guess I should’ve said something when I started getting prayers and well wishes from friends and colleagues alike – including some of the biggest names in the business. I have definitely mentioned that I needed a hip replacement, definitely mentioned that I intended to get one sometime early in 2017, but never actually set a date. I have this little tiny problem in that I don’t actually have health insurance.

I had health insurance for 26 years, but the last four years have been tough – with companies sending out letters telling me they will no longer be insuring families, and that I needed to find alternate insurance. By 2016 health insurance was particularly confusing, and after missing one payment, I found myself no longer insured. I am doing my best to be insured in 2017, but nothing is guaranteed, and I have no idea how this new insurance company will feel about replacing a hip that clearly should’ve been replaced many years ago.

For those wondering why the general manager of Raw needs to procure his own health insurance: well, I’m on a handshake deal. I do the job as long as I enjoy it and feel like I am making a difference, and I do it as long as WWE is happy with me and thinks I’m the best person for the role. No contract involved at all, except for the legends deal, which is strictly about merchandise. For those wondering why I just don’t pay out-of-pocket, well it’s a $60,000 operation, and I am going to look at some other options before I shell out 60K for an operation. Maybe I will concentrate on landing a couple of TV or film roles and get the far superior AFTRA insurance to take care of the operation. I probably should not be talking about it at all – but the word is out there, and I feel like I owe people an explanation.

Now that this story has come to light, I wouldn’t be surprised if he got signed to an actual contract, or if WWE offered to cover the cost of his surgery. I also wouldn’t be surprised at all if some enterprising fans started up a crowdfunding page. Although knowing Foley, he would probably insist the money go to one of his favorite charities (like RAINN) instead. Regardless of how this shakes out, I hope he finds some relief at some point soon, as chronic pain and delaying surgery is absolutely no joke.

His full Facebook post is below.

ABOUT THAT HIP OPERATION

I guess I should’ve said something when I started getting prayers and well wishes from friends and colleagues alike – including some of the biggest names in the business. I have definitely mentioned that I needed a hip replacement, definitely mentioned that I intended to get one sometime early in 2017, but never actually set a date. I have this little tiny problem in that I don’t actually have health insurance.

I had health insurance for 26 years, but the last four years have been tough – with companies sending out letters telling me they will no longer be insuring families, and that I needed to find alternate insurance. By 2016 health insurance was particularly confusing, and after missing one payment, I found myself no longer insured. I am doing my best to be insured in 2017, but nothing is guaranteed, and I have no idea how this new insurance company will feel about replacing a hip that clearly should’ve been replaced many years ago.

For those wondering why the general manager of Raw needs to procure his own health insurance: well, I’m on a handshake deal. I do the job as long as I enjoy it and feel like I am making a difference, and I do it as long as WWE is happy with me and thinks I’m the best person for the role. No contract involved at all, except for the legends deal, which is strictly about merchandise. For those wondering why I just don’t pay out-of-pocket, well it’s a $60,000 operation, and I am going to look at some other options before I shell out 60K for an operation. Maybe I will concentrate on landing a couple of TV or film roles and get the far superior AFTRA insurance to take care of the operation. I probably should not be talking about it at all – but the word is out there, and I feel like I owe people an explanation.

Luckily, I am used to the constant pain – and it’s not like I wasn’t warned by almost every guy in the wrestling business that the moves I was doing as a younger man were going to come back to haunt me. Well, they’re haunting me! The weight-loss has helped considerably; without it, and the DDP yoga, I don’t believe I could even get through airports. But the constant travel means constant pain. I love being the Raw GM, and I will miss it when it’s gone. But my quality of life will probably improve when Stephanie and WWE decide to go in a new direction.

Thank you for your prayers and concern. I am coming off an amazing December, during which I created some memories that I know I will hold onto for a lifetime. I know a lot of people don’t get my whole Santa thing. I can only tell you that when that red suit goes on, the very best part of me comes out, and I do some things I am very proud of each December. I had wanted most of December off, but I had made a commitment to the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital, and it meant a lot to me to fulfill that commitment. Then Mr. McMahon said something to me about a shark cage in question with Chris Jericho suspended above it, and I knew I had to be at that Raw. I missed Monday’s raw. I should be back for almost every episode until that moment comes when/if the company decides to go in a different direction. If they do, I will simply be grateful for every single day I had a chance to go out and try to make a difference. Some nights I was more successful than others. But deep down I think the superstars in the back know I was doing my best to look out for them – and they know that has not always the case when it comes to the people who fill these roles.

With or without a new hip I’m going to lead a good life. The medical sciences out there to help me lead a life with far less pain. I hope that I am given the opportunity to take advantage of the new technology. Maybe some enterprising orthopedic specialist can think outside the box and look at me as a potential poster-boy for their services. If The Rock can sell tires, then I have to believe I can sell hip replacements.

Have a nice day.