Here's to Our Health
We need health insurance. Our travel coverage is about to run out, and we're just not the kind of people who can go without and hope for the best. We need to take care of ourselves, and we're willing and able to. But it's proving to be quite a project.
I've never needed to build my own insurance plan before. It's just something I always had through company benefits. Let me tell ya, it's a huge drag. Right now I can hear Brendan swearing in the other room over something called a "catastrophic plan". Apparently it's the one we want, but the details are rather difficult to dissect. They really shouldn't give insurance plans names like "catastrophic".
Before we left the country last year, we both got caught up on the essential teeth cleanings, paps, shots, and cholesterol level diagnoses (ok, just one of us for the pap... wouldn't want you getting the wrong idea). A few of those routine visits are due for renewal, but haven't lapsed long enough to a big concern quite yet (although I'm sure my old dentist in LA has been mutilating his Sarah voodoo doll ever since my 6-month check-up reminder bounced back in the mail). Even so, it's one of those things you can't just ignore the way you can ignore dustballs behind the TV or holey socks. If I get really sick, and I could, we'd probably go broke saving me unless we have a decent health plan.
Picking out your own health plan is like choosing a cell provider, but scarier. Instead of SMS fees, we have dismemberment deductibles. We only want coverage for a few months, in hopes that eventually our respective job benefits can take over, but not getting locked in will naturally cost extra. The information we got over the phone doesn't seem to match the information displayed on the website. It's all very necessary, yet soul-crushing. I'd rather be fishing.
-Sarah
Comments
how are your job hunts going? hope to see you on tv again :)
At least give us some clues as to what you might be doing in the future (jobwise). Even if we can't get nitty gritty details yet... TV? Radio? Newspaper? Desk jockey?
Oh, and good luck with insurance, yuck.
A wise and responsible idea. A year ago, I was in between jobs with no health insurance. Lo and behold, I ended up sick, 3 days later I had my gall bladder removed. With no insurance at the time, I'm now paying for 18k medical bill. I'm sure you don't want to know how much I'm kicking myself for not extending my insurance plan for the extra 2 months. Live and learn.
I used assurant health for my short term insurance.
I was covered upwards of a couple million for something like 70 bucks a month for 3 months.
Which isn't bad for the coverage that they offered.
http://www.assuranthealth.com/corp/ah/
Quite seriously for a moment....don't shop this on websites. Go to your local Health Underwriters Association or NAHU (if you are in CA, tell me what county and I will find the contact info for you) and ask for a reputable agent who can direct you appropriately for your needs. There's all sorts of crazy stuff out there that advertise one thing and amount to something completely different if you land in the hospital. There are good short term plans out there, but a good agent can get you through the hoops and with the best, most reputable carrier in your area based on your needs. Seriously...don't short cut this one. BTW....l-u-v your blog!
I went without...insurance too. It's not like I had a choice on either account. It is scary. It's why I keep the job I have. It's spooky to gamble with your health. Keeping up with yall does take some of the mundane out of things so please keep us updated on moves, sites, whatever you do.
Thank you...
I haven't been to the dentist in six years. Top that! ;)
I empathize, Sarah! I had to navigate the (for lack of a better word) yucky world of health insurance too. I ended up settling on Blue Cross, Blue Shield, but whatever plan/company you get hooked up with will definitely be worth it. One bout of illness and you're dropping what your premiums would have been for a year on a single visit!
Funny how everyone up here in Canada complains about our publically funded health care system. Essentially no insurance required for most health issues. Grass is not always greener on the other side I guess.
I havent been to a dentist in 15 years TOP THAT! and I do not have any cavities either *knock on wood*
So Dangela, can you give the contact info of Riverside county, CA?
good site..
thanks a lot of...
good site..
free
The best deals combine medical and dental and have family coverage. Don't wait too long to start, because some services, dental in particular, like crowns have a waiting period.
I can't help with your health insurance need, but I found a great prescription discount card at www.rxdrugcard.com if you need help at the drugstore. Low membership fee. Drug prices posted.
