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We’ve all seen those movies where the person backs up one step too many and finds themselves falling over the balcony, or the cliff, or the edge of the building. Or perhaps they hear the crack of the ice before they fall in or the click of the trigger of the land mine they’ve just stepped on.
I’ve always imagined that would be the most horrible feeling — knowing that your life was suddenly and completely in danger and utterly out of your control.
That’s how I felt Tuesday night.
My husband and I had gone to have a nice dinner and, as the restaurant was close to the pharmacy, I asked that we stop on the way back to pick up a prescription refill that I’d called in. It wasn’t one of those “urgent” prescriptions, so I had not taken the time to pick it up for a couple of days.
The pharmacy aide who knows me by sight, was reaching for my prescription even as I approached the counter. Then he kind of looked at me odd, lowered his voice and asked, “Have you had a change in your insurance? When we ran this through, it came back that your insurance was terminated.”
Crack. Click. Fall.
Now I can’t disclose the particulars of my severance agreement with my past company, but I will say (to their credit) there was a great deal of understanding about my health issues and I had been assured that the transition from insurance to COBRA coverage would be seamless.
It was a relatively inexpensive prescription, so I just paid for it knowing that when all of this got straightened out I could file for a reimbursement. However this was also the night before my rheumatologi$t’$ appointment and I really didn’t want to pay that out-of-pocket, particularly since I thought she might be injecting a joint or two.
Next-morning calls to the benefit supplier indicated that they had sent the notification to the insurance company concerning my coverage. Calls to the insurance company revealed that if they had received the notification, it hadn’t trickled through their system as yet because my coverage was, indeed, terminated as of November 30.
This story has a happy ending for me. Frantic emails to my old HR team worked magic and by the time I got to my rheumy appointment, the insurance system was once again agreeing that I was covered.
I can’t forget, however, the horrible feeling of suddenly finding myself uninsured and the great relief that I hadn’t been in a car accident or serious fall for the previous week. And as I look toward this joyous holiday season, I can only send up a prayer for those who, unlike me, haven’t had happy endings to their employer-sponsored insurance plans and who face the future with families and chronic diseases, but without insurance.
When I count my blessings, insurance is surely near the top of the list.
The friends I’ve made through this blog are right there at the top as well. Thanks for checking in.
That’s a scary moment. It’s a nightmare to think about losing insurance. I wonder if the new healthcare law will impact this? And, I’ve always wondered what happens if you go on disability? Medicare/Medicaid?
I believe it’s a terrible shame that anyone in America, working or unemployed, rich or poor or in between should be faced with the loss of their medical care. Because really, that’s what the loss of insurance really means: no more medical care. I’m very glad that your problem was temporary, Carla, and that you are able to afford Cobra between jobs that offer health insurance coverage.
To my understanding, the Affordable Care Act will prevent health insurance companies from dropping a customer because they lose their employment. And if that person is unable to afford the insurance while they’re unemployed or if they cannot find new work that provides insurance, the govt. will either subsidize coverage or offer that person Medicaid.
This, I believe, is the right thing to do; the moral thing to do. We’re the only first-world Western nation on Earth that leaves its citizens to fend for themselves if they’re injured or become ill. What’s wrong with us?
I second wrens observation! My husband and I are self employed and I have to keep this company going to keep us insured. It haunts me night and day as I get sicker…. The ACA, no matter what its weaknesses, is a life saver for me…. Not that it won’t cost a lot of money, but that they have to take me… Under the old rules, all of us are literally uninsurable in the private, non group market. That is why this was the personally more important election of my lifetime…
I’m so sorry you had to go through even a day of this world, Carla!!!
Yikes! That would have been awful! I remember once picking up my Enbrel prescription and my Enbrel card didn’t work. That was pretty minor, but put me in a panic. I can’t imagine finding myself without insurance. But, I am glad you got it worked out and I hope you are feeling well.
Happy holidays Carla. I have enjoyed reading your blog this year and look forward to checking in frequently next year.
I am one of the unfortunate many that don’t have health insurance, when my husband retired, to contine his coverage was almost$1,200 a month My boss thinks he needs new guns and trucks rather then get health insurance for his employees. My doctor is good, I get 20% off if I pay the day of service and she wasn’t going to send me for bloodwork but I wanted them for my peace of mind, they still didn’t give me a firm diagnosis. But I know a lot of tests and treatment are closed for me, I checked into private insurance very expensive for very little coverage. A National health insurance would be nice.
Wow – just reading this made my stomach twist up! Or maybe it’s all the meds I had to take with breakfast … LOL! About 10 years ago I was without insurance for several years in a row, and it was a scary time. I hope you never have to go through that! So glad all worked out for you!
Not being in the USA I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving normally – but I think I would be if that had happened to me! I live in Europe: noone in any country I know of here is left totally without care even if destitute. Certainly in the UK and Germany, if you are employed or self-employed you pay a percentage of earnings. If you have no earnings either you are covered by your spouse’s contributions – or you fall into the safety net.
That contribution in the UK for someone employed is about £7, for the self-employed the massive amount of £2.50 per week – but that doesn’t give you unemployment benefit. In the UK there are what are called prescription charges – just under £8 per prescription, but if you have more than 4 per quarter you can buy a season ticket, a maximum of about £100 per year however many scripts you have. If you are under 16, over 60 or have a chronic disease such as diabetes – free. In Wales – free, in Scotland, free. Hospitalisation – free.
Here in Italy I pay about 350 euros a month (I think). It used to be a percentage, now it is a flat rate which as a low earning self-employed person (very parttime) works out much more for me. I also have small co-pays. But if we didn’t have the money – I would still be cared for as a low earner.
Our national health services may be imperfect – but they do the job pretty well. And I know I will never be left bankrupt just because I am ill or have an accident.
For that I am truly thankful.
What Eileen said … only I’m in the UK, not Italy.
Crumbs, I can’t even begin to imagine what that feelings is like because we’ve got the NHS, and often as I curse it (and I curse it often) at least I’ll never be completely without healthcare!
Pollyannapenguin – I’m from the UK, we retired here 3 years ago (himself couldn’t face fighting battles in his department in the NHS any more) so if desperate we could come back! And yes, crumbs! You said what I said so much more simply. BTW – where have you been on your blog? I keep looking…
I remember that feeling all to well…the free fall is what I refer to it as. We went through that many times when my hubby was without work years ago. And yes, this election was sooo important in so many ways here. I for one feel morally and ethically that our citizens need medical care. It is just a sin to see so many without and falling through the cracks. And there are many, many cracks here…still. I just hope that you can continue to afford the COBRA coverage. Have a happy holiday ahead!
Just dropped in to wish you all a merry, merry Christmas!