Einar and I will have "regular" (that is, not limited to major medical issues) health insurance coverage beginning August 1. We are relieved to have found a plan that fits our budget, and we are really happy that coverage will begin before our trip to the Northwest. We applied and were approved for an individual plan with Group Health Cooperative (GHC), a nonprofit health insurance company. We haven't received our packet of full benefit information yet, but we do know that they emphasize preventive care and complementary medicine. I believe I read that they will pay 50% of the first $750 spent on massages, which basically means half-price massages. I need to check into that. I'm also wondering if they offer reimbursements for things like Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares, as that's something I'd like to do next summer. All in all, I'm really excited to have health insurance again.
Now, I can call and get my annual exam(s) scheduled. . .
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Uninsured
Einar and I no longer have health insurance. We had a short-term, major medical plan that expired on June 30. We figured that was no big deal, as we are eligible to get on Dean Health Care's REALTOR group plan (since Einar works full-time for a realtor). So, we looked up all the information about the options, including coverage, deductibles, and monthly premiums. It looked okay - group coverage, with prescription coverage, for under $500/month for the two of us. Not as good as employer-offered coverage, but better than most individual plans we've found. We applied, confident we'd be approved. And we were approved! The letter of approval also included new rates. The plan we'd wanted - the only one that covers maternity - would cost $731.92/month for the two of us!! That is out of our budget. So now we're back to square one in a lot of ways. We're looking into GHC, and we'll probably forego prescription drug coverage. What a nightmare! I truly hope Congress is able to pass some sort of health care reform bill in the next couple of months.
As part of our investigation into health insurance, I looked into BadgetCarePlus, Wisconsin's health coverage for low income people. We make too much money to qualify for that, and if one of us quits our job or reduces hours, we'll qualify, but we won't be able to cover all of our bills. I'm sure we're not the only people in this situation. I suppose we could just skip health insurance altogether and do what a lot of people do - let the taxpayers pay when we show up at the ER and don't have health insurance and can't pay. Or maybe we should just move to a country with socialized health care, like Canada, England, or France.
As part of our investigation into health insurance, I looked into BadgetCarePlus, Wisconsin's health coverage for low income people. We make too much money to qualify for that, and if one of us quits our job or reduces hours, we'll qualify, but we won't be able to cover all of our bills. I'm sure we're not the only people in this situation. I suppose we could just skip health insurance altogether and do what a lot of people do - let the taxpayers pay when we show up at the ER and don't have health insurance and can't pay. Or maybe we should just move to a country with socialized health care, like Canada, England, or France.
Friday, July 10, 2009
About time
I don't know how this keeps happening. I think of blogging nearly every day, and yet it has been almost 2 weeks since I've taken the time to post. Argh.
Anyway, a couple weeks ago, I decided to try to donate blood again. If you've talked with me this spring, I'm sure I've told you about my difficulties donating recently. First, it was low iron. Then, it was small, rolling veins. But I thought, it's been quite a while since I've tried, so I'm going to give it another shot. My iron was great! And the phlebotomist said my veins were no problem - just kinda deep. Hooray!! A pint of blood given to someone who needs it.
I really don't understand mean people. You know, people who are mean either because they take some sort of joy from making other people miserable or because no one ever taught them differently. It seems like life is just so much easier if you're nice. People are more willing to help you and interact with you. It has always seemed to me that being mean takes a lot of work. Why not just be nice? Forgiving? Accommodating? I think a lot of my mindset comes from my faith and my attempt to be Christ-like. I know I often fail at this, hurting family and friends when I lose my intentionality. I guess, then, when I encounter a mean person, I should just see it as a reminder of my own desire to be nice.
Anyway, a couple weeks ago, I decided to try to donate blood again. If you've talked with me this spring, I'm sure I've told you about my difficulties donating recently. First, it was low iron. Then, it was small, rolling veins. But I thought, it's been quite a while since I've tried, so I'm going to give it another shot. My iron was great! And the phlebotomist said my veins were no problem - just kinda deep. Hooray!! A pint of blood given to someone who needs it.
I really don't understand mean people. You know, people who are mean either because they take some sort of joy from making other people miserable or because no one ever taught them differently. It seems like life is just so much easier if you're nice. People are more willing to help you and interact with you. It has always seemed to me that being mean takes a lot of work. Why not just be nice? Forgiving? Accommodating? I think a lot of my mindset comes from my faith and my attempt to be Christ-like. I know I often fail at this, hurting family and friends when I lose my intentionality. I guess, then, when I encounter a mean person, I should just see it as a reminder of my own desire to be nice.
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