another this and that
My friend L, the one dealing with the serious health crisis, called me again last night, left me a voice mail. She's now in a third hospital, being evaluated by yet another set of doctors, trying to stave off the inevitable. She's become despondent, so needy...she mentioned wanting my skills as an attorney. G-d help me, I have no real background in health care law, II hope I can give her some help, but ....
Meanwhile, I'm having heartburn over my own health insurance. The company I work for merged into a larger company last summer. The health plans we had at the smaller company are not going to be renewed, and we're supposed to get our new (and presumably better) benefits from our new corporate parent. Our health policy will expire 12/31, and the new plan is supposed to take effect 1/1, but as of today, 12/15, we haven't been given any enrollment materials, and we've been told that we won't be able to enroll until "after Christmas". Our HR manager told us not to worry about a lapse in coverage, that the policies will be backdated and any expenses incurred after 1/1 will be reimbursed. Please...I've been practicing insurance law for 32 years, I don't like the words "lapse in coverage", and the HR manager's assurances are leaving me cold.
I really need to see the options available to me, now that I finally can do without a family plan. I kept both girls on my policy until this year. But Jen turned 26 last month, she is no longer eligible for coverage under my plan. Time for both girls to take that next step towards independence.
Jen didn't need my advice, she had two options: take her employer's plan or go without insurance.
But last week I spent 45 minutes on the phone with Becca, explaining the difference between an HMO, a PPO and a high-deductible policy tied to an HSA account. This was her first time enrolling in a heath insurance plan, and she didn't know how any of the plans her employer was offering worked. Her boyfriend's father told her to take the high deductible plan with the HSA, which would be partially funded by the employer, but Becca is a bit risk-adverse and opted for the PPO.
And having decent employer-based health insurance has become even more important now, in this political climate. Who knows what will happen to the Affordable Care Act next year? I did some volunteer work last night at our local Planned Parenthood (it's fun to stuff envelopes); the big concern is that the incoming administration will try to defund Planned Parenthood, leaving most of their patients, especially those who are on Medicaid, unable to utilize any of their health care services. Scary, isn't it?
that's it, I just have to stay healthy forever.
Meanwhile, I'm having heartburn over my own health insurance. The company I work for merged into a larger company last summer. The health plans we had at the smaller company are not going to be renewed, and we're supposed to get our new (and presumably better) benefits from our new corporate parent. Our health policy will expire 12/31, and the new plan is supposed to take effect 1/1, but as of today, 12/15, we haven't been given any enrollment materials, and we've been told that we won't be able to enroll until "after Christmas". Our HR manager told us not to worry about a lapse in coverage, that the policies will be backdated and any expenses incurred after 1/1 will be reimbursed. Please...I've been practicing insurance law for 32 years, I don't like the words "lapse in coverage", and the HR manager's assurances are leaving me cold.
I really need to see the options available to me, now that I finally can do without a family plan. I kept both girls on my policy until this year. But Jen turned 26 last month, she is no longer eligible for coverage under my plan. Time for both girls to take that next step towards independence.
Jen didn't need my advice, she had two options: take her employer's plan or go without insurance.
But last week I spent 45 minutes on the phone with Becca, explaining the difference between an HMO, a PPO and a high-deductible policy tied to an HSA account. This was her first time enrolling in a heath insurance plan, and she didn't know how any of the plans her employer was offering worked. Her boyfriend's father told her to take the high deductible plan with the HSA, which would be partially funded by the employer, but Becca is a bit risk-adverse and opted for the PPO.
And having decent employer-based health insurance has become even more important now, in this political climate. Who knows what will happen to the Affordable Care Act next year? I did some volunteer work last night at our local Planned Parenthood (it's fun to stuff envelopes); the big concern is that the incoming administration will try to defund Planned Parenthood, leaving most of their patients, especially those who are on Medicaid, unable to utilize any of their health care services. Scary, isn't it?
that's it, I just have to stay healthy forever.
The few times I every made an insurance claim it was like almost pulling chicken teeth.
ReplyDeleteAs for Affordable Care Act. I got mix feeling.
I wish we had a one payer system. That everyone paid into it.
Anyhow it very cold here in North Idaho.
Coffee is on