After all the time looking over health plans available here through individual/family purchase, I have to say that I was underwhelmed. Not that they were all that radically different than other states, just that the range of benefits seemed more limited and exclusions were more than I had anticipated. Also, if I were pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, there is not a chance that we could do this now. I found ONE plan that included a pregnancy coverage… and it wasn’t a great plan. Scary!

Violet: if YOU can’t get long term care as young as you are and as healthy and athletic as you are… I’m terrified!

Aunt Deb: I think you’re right… as consumers we have to decide what is best, honesty or coverage. I was wondering if I can abstain from filling out history forms in doctor’s offices in the future. I would rather do this and just be up front with the physician, face to face, then be dishonest on a form. (Of course, finding someone who would put in the extra time a form saves would be a challenge.)

Crisco: I’m okay. Really. I can introduce you to 100 other people who need a lot more worry than me. This will work out, I have to believe it will.

I am working on a problem with my records that got into another ladys records (We share the same name). They told me that I have never had the surgery and I have no rights to get my data from her file. I told the offending facility that I had had the surgery and they had mixed up the billing. Now they tell me that they don’t have such a person in their database. Wrong I say the computer monitor with 3 of us listed. I know the #2 person with the same name – my daughter-in-law. I just want to show up at the hospital and put my leg up on the counter and say “Look at the scar, do you think I’m imagining this?”

One of the interesting facts I have learned is the hospitals are only keeping the records for seven years. If you had anything that the insurance companies would deem negative longer than seven years ago- Do you have to list it on your application? You should be honest but??? What is the world coming to when you have to decide between honesty and health insurance?

The problem with health insurance in America is that it’s run as if it’s a stock market. You have a history that health care brokers perceive a certain way, so those are selling you short, literally. Like brokers you pretty much have to game the system to win.

You do have a lot to give to a community. Doesn’t always mean that you should. We live in a Darwinistic society. Wishing that it were different doesn’t change that. It just makes you more vulnerable to being taken advantage of by systems and persons who have no such doubts. So take care of yourself right now, first and foremost. Then, when you have some measure of security, then help others.

Ridiculous. What is the point of having insurance if the policy holder must assume all of the risk?

Violet

Corporate profit at the expense of others is absolutely vile. That we, the wealthiest country on the planet, have not moved on from such an uninspired, unlighted model is an embarrassment.

But it feels better to have openly complained about it. Again. It helps me to figure out how to make the next step…

It seems like a cautionary tale: Never leave a job you hate, for fear of having to change providers.

This has us reconsidering our family employment options: Kevin was planning on seeking other work, but Elliot would clearly be seen as a “health liability” to any company.

What a crock–to only have health care available to you if you absolutely don’t need it.