Forgive me for the diversion from Austen, but today I'm compelled to write about the state of health care. (Hear me out. It's not quite as boring as it sounds.) I spent $556 last week filling two prescriptions, and I only filled the two that I really needed. There are four more to be filled in the next month.
My cobra coverage ran out, because it's been 18 months since I left my job. I thought I had another plan lined up, through a large association for the self-employed. I met with someone, he explained the details of the plan, I applied and waited the thirty days to hear what they said. Only, at the end of that time, I discovered not only that they had rejected me, but also that the sales guy had been far from honest. Ugh. It's a long story, and I could fight the decision, but the whole thing left me with a very bad taste in my mouth, so I decided to go elsewhere, and now I am uncovered and waiting another 30 days to get a response from another company.
All told, it seems that my health care costs are going to be somewhere between $850 and $1200 a month. I have been in a state of sheer panic. While I'm solvent at the moment, I just really don't know where all this money is going to come from. It's devastating, and there's nothing I can do about it.
It's the blasted Lyme disease. And the way our ridiculous system is set up, so that if you have a job you are guaranteed covereage and if you are self-employed--well, I am still guaranteed coverage under HIPAA laws, but it seems there's really no limit to what they can charge me.
Really, the best way for someone who's single and self-employed to get decent health care in this country is to get married. It's a travesty.
I feel your insurance pain. I miss where we lived a few months ago. Socilaized health care was wonderful. It didn't cost us an arm or leg for all K's surgeries.I try not to think about this too much or I will get real angry. K was denied insurance from 3 agencies.
Posted by: S & B In Asia | October 06, 2006 at 01:34 AM