Sorry I haven’t been around to help Booman with posting. I was someplace without internet or TV service so my knowledge of real world events over the last 10 days has been minimal. I assume we’re still in Iraq, still threatening Iran, the media’s still bitching about Obama’s something or other, Bush managed to make an ass of himself somehow, McCain’s faults are still being overlooked, Democratic sex scandals are getting more TV time than Republican sex and bribery scandals, people are still being tasered by police just for shits and giggles, our “mental recession” is still hurting everyone who doesn’t earn a MILLION DOLLARS a year in income and many of you are in dire straits financially, emotionally, or health wise.
For my family, my wife was refused an accommodation to extend her short term disability while she waits for the long term disability claims process to resolve itself (amazing how S-L-O-W insurance companies can be when it comes to actually dealing with claims rather than demanding premium payments) so we will have to start paying for our own health insurance under COBRA next month. We have some savings and I expect we will be using it all up by the end of this year. One more reason I support universal health care under a single payer plan. Not sure how all this will effect my ability to blog, but I hope I’ll be able to continue to contribute here at the Tribune.
God or Goddess or The Flying Spaghetti Monster Bless all of you whatever your current situation. I have to run and take care of some errands, but I’ll check back later. Sorry for the hit and run. All my best to you.
Welcome back, Steven! Good luck with your insurance difficulties. Let’s hope for something better in the future.
I was just thinking about you, wondering when you would return – and here you are. Adding my welcome back!
So, so sorry about your insurance difficulties. I had wondered how you would be managing after reading your piece on your wife’s disabilities from chemo therapy. If you have an insurance agent near you, connected to the one you have a policy with, visit them – make it personal Steven. Become more than a voice on the phone, a fax, or an e-mail – human connections, face to face are so important. I would think your demeanor, so respectful, and your ability with words, and your great sense of humor would get the agent on your side, working for you. All the best to you too.
Welcome back, Steven.
Don’t give up your right to collect whatever benefits are due you from the insurance. It is my experience that there are human beings in the employ of these companies, and they do want to honor their contractual responsibilities.
They are reachable despite corporate mandates to deny everything. When your relentless determination becomes obvious to them, something will happen. I wrote letters to president & CEO – indicating a cc to an attorney, union officers, state and federal representatives, a local muckraking reporter, etc. promising a determined pursuit. (certified receipt mail so they have to sign for delivery – document everything)
Try to change your expectations and protect your savings.
I know this will keep you busy, but will look forward to your occassional posts here. Good luck – you’ll be in our thoughts and prayers.
When our family went through a similar situation 5 years ago, I set up all the info, every last scrap, in an Excel database. It wound up being very handy when dealing with the types Alice has mentioned. I think it may have established a certain credibility with them too, if only psychologically. Take any edge you can get with these people. God, it just sickens me that anyone has to go through this shit!
Very good to see you here, Steven. I’m hoping for the best for you and yours.