The family is temporarily without health insurance. We're all on my insurance, see, and the old one ran out at the end of the month and the new one doesn't start until Monday. That's two days where I've canceled most weekend plans to keep the kids home wrapped in bubble wrap in front of the TV. But Fate can't resist a good laugh, so Thea woke up this morning with intense abdominal pains, fever, chills, and vomiting. At one point I looked at Todd over Thea's back and hissed, "Oh god, this will BANKRUPT US!"
My finest moment, however, was just after Thea finished throwing up. Doctor Google said that one way to tell if a kid has appendicitis is to have them jump up and down. If they collapse on the floor in a fetal position, it's time for a trip to the ER. Though it's entirely understandable that Thea might not want want to jostle herself after barfing, I was sure that her reluctance to hop around the room was a sign of our impending financial doom. Not that I wasn't concerned for my little girl, of course. It's deeply painful to see your kid sick. But I'm a pragmatist and a realist, and I have no illusions about the precariousness of our financial stability.
Thankfully, Thea was feeling a lot better by bedtime. Just in time for Liam to start clutching his ear in what I'm sure is an early sign of an ear infection. Good one, universe! (Bitch.)
Saturday, December 01, 2007
And now for a little panicking and overreaction
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15 comments:
don't get me started on the horrors of health insurance. thank GOD she is feeling OK, here's hoping you will make it through the weekend OK.
Thanks! I know. Election 2008, one of my main voting priorities is health care. Don't even get me started on SCHIP.
I had no health insurance for nearly four years in the US. Thank god I am healthy and had no kids at that time! I love love love the national health service here. I never have to worry that I or my family won't receive medical care or be financially crippled because of it. I don't think I could move back to the US insurance system now, it would make my head explode.
Totally. Pre-kids, I only had health insurance if it came with the job, anyway. And one of our kidless friends -- in his 40s, not some young'un -- just recently got health insurance because of a procedure that cost about $10K.
I don't want to be all "woe is middle-class me," because I know the two-day gap is a hell of a lot better than a lot of families have it. But, man, we'll be sunk if anything major happens between now and tomorrow.
No, you aren't sunk.
There's COBRA
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html
If something happens in the next couple of days, you'll have to pay your regular rate like you did monthly and MAYBE your previous employer's payment but you are covered for 18 months.
So, yeah, if there is a disaster, take the kids in and know you'll have enough paperwork to paper the house afterwards but you won't owe a penny medically because you are still fully covered.
Also, you may very will have DOUBLE coverage for the first month because chances are good they withheld the total amount from your final paycheck. If there are "days coming" whether sick days or vacation days....
So...allow yourself to breathe a bit.
Yes, she is right, you can retro COBRA.
(but only what, like 8 hours to go now!)
P.S. I went to urgent care today. Raging ear and sinus infection.
Oh, I went without in college - 330 bucks a month for COBRA? I don't think so.
oh good lord you're making ME nervous without health insurance. i spent three hours in an er last spring and it cost me $100. The total bill was some ungodly total like $1300 and all i got was fluids!
Oh dude, the sinus-and-ear-infection combo sucks.
Twelve more hours!
It's 1 AM on the East coast right now....so I guess that means you made it. Stupid Murphy's Law. Why is it so damn reliable???
I also think you could make the COBRA thing work if you had to.
Don't worry!!! Everything will be fine. Cobra is your best option and you are still totally eligible. Just in case..
Doll, I completely feel your pain, and know how worrisome all of this is.. but you will get through this.
The hubby is covered on my insurance and boy does it take a bite out of my check...
One of the few things that makes me feel a little better about this situation, is if insurance is ever an issue...I know I can fall back on the Indian Health Service. Not the best situation but something that comforts me in my old age.
Hang in there. The babies will be fine.
So you made it until today, didn't you? Poor kids.
You have some smart readers here, Kelly! Great support system. You do have COBRA and it is retro. Never fear...when in doubt you can post about it and your blogging buds will know what to do. :)
Thanks, guys! I had no idea Cobra could be retroactive. Good to know!
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