HEALTH INSURANCE... THE MUSICAL

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals!!  Welcome back!

Alright.  The title isn't really accurate.  It isn't really a musical.  But it is another prime example of the insanity that takes up so much of our time, not allowing us to enjoy the little time we actually have!!

So... the adventure begins.  (Can you hear the overture swelling?)

In May of 2010, it was necessary to obtain personal health insurance.  This news came quickly so there was not a lot of time available to research coverage and premiums.  The cheapest route available was a hospitalization only policy... not covering any office visits, tests (outside of the hospital), or anything that we might actually need.  Oh... and the company issuing the policy actually EXCLUDED coverage for hospitalization for the spousal-unit due to a motorcycle accident.  HUH?!?!?  Yes, he does have a motorcycle endorsement on his drivers license.  Yes, he does have a motorcycle.  Hmmmm.  Since we are both in relatively good health (thank you, Lord!), that is one of the only concerns that might cause a hospitalization event.  But the company won't pay if that happens.  Alrighty then!!  Might as well not spend that $298.88 each month for coverage that isn't really going to help!!

Well now... as the renewal period loomed near, we received a letter from said insurance company advising a couple of things.  I share the following as the most ludicrous:  Seems as though since there are changes to requirements health insurance providers will be needing to meet (thanks to Obamacare), our premium will be increasing from $298.88/month to $368.04.  That's just a 23% increase.  Yeah.  No problem.  The fun part of the letter is that the "adjustment" to the premium was NOT based on our individual claim costs... which was -0- since we have a $5,000 deductible and were not hospitalized during the year... but rather was based on the "combined costs of all company policyholders who have your same plan."  Really?!?  I mean, REALLY?!?!?  This news, of course, led me to create the time to do some additional research.

So... fast-forward to my sitting at the laptop researching.  I found a policy that was nearly identical (!)... really... for a quoted premium of $165.41/month.  WOW!!!  Less than HALF of what we were now going to be paying... and $100 less than what we HAD been paying.  I'll take it.

Completed the online application, fired all off, and waited.

Long story short.  Received an email indicating the application was accepted.  There was nothing said about premium or exclusions... or anything for that  matter.

Fast-forward again.  Policy contract arrives.  Notice a couple of things:
1)  We are both "serving (a) pre-existing condition exclusion period", and
2)  I cannot log onto the company web site as I do not have a PIN.

Customer Care (CC) Call #1:  Send copy of Certificate of Coverage from previous company showing Beginning/Ending dates of coverage and the exclusion period will be waived.  Oh... and do we have any prescription drug benefit at all?  Yes.  Discounted meds just by showing the ID card.  PIN will be along shortly.  Thank you.  Drive through, please.

CC Call #2:  It's been 2 weeks since I faxed the Certificate of Coverage.  Status?  Also, why is premium $188.28 instead of $165.41 but no one mentioned that?  (They just drafted it from the account!)  Oh... and I'm still looking for that PIN for online access.  (Very curt response from rep follows.)  The contract has been "updated" with the previous coverage information.  The premium is higher as the policy has been rated but I don't know why... underwriting does that.  The PIN will be to you within 30 days of the effective date.  Anything else?  (WOW! Pretty short.)  I ask how I can find out why the policy was "rated."  She refers me to the "Medical Director" and, after I have to ask for it, provides a PO Box number and address.  I also tackily mention I find it really amazing that I won't receive anything in writing confirming that a written exclusion on the contract has been amended.  "Toni" wasn't interested in my opinion.  When I stated "Well, thank you for a very futile call.", she perked up, demanding "What kind of call?!?!?" to which I replied, "Futile.  It's in the dictionary."  (Probably didn't make a fan there.)

Sent letter to Medical Director inquiring about "rated" premium.  Took the opportunity to provide my opinion on not receiving a written amendment while I was at it.  :)

Received a letter from the company stating:  "Thank you for contacting us.  The correct amount is $188.28.  You may file an appeal."  WOW!!  Hope that didn't take anyone too much time!!

CC Call #3:  You know I'm not going to accept that stupid letter, right?  Got a REALLY excellent rep who spent a great amount of time listening to me and working toward resolution.  She eventually conferenced in an underwriting person.  You are going to love what I was eventually told.  *chuckle*  (There was a delay as the underwriter person had to call me back since she did not have everything in front of her at the time.)  (CALLBACK RECEIVED.)  Seriously.  I actually started laughing out loud on the phone as this conversation continued.  This gal tells me the policy was NOT rated.  Okay.  Then why is the premium higher?  Well, they applied a "rate-up."  HUH?!?!?!?  (This is a new thing that makes me go "Huh?")  Excuse me... isn't that being "rated?"  Well, no.  Not really.  Could you explain that to me, please?  Sure.  There is a "Preferred" rate which is the rate quoted to everyone initially.  There are seven (count them... SEVEN!) levels of "Standard" rates, each of which is higher than the first.  The policy was actually issued at the "Standard 1" rate rather than the quoted "Preferred" rate.  HUH?!?  So... the policy was "rated."  Nope.  It was just a "rate-up."  Okay... so now I am actually laughing out loud in this lady's ear (it would have been in her face had I been facing her!).  Alright.  Explain to me the difference between "rated" and a "rate-up", please?  Really.  I'm listening.  She finally had to confess that they were effectively the same thing as far as my premium was concerned.  Yeah.  Got that.  Thanks.

Finally... while the answer was inane, it was, at least, an answer.  I decided to call it a day relative to this ridiculously long process.

Epilogue:  The PINs (one for each of us) did arrive in the mail about 28 days from the effective date.  Most interesting is the correspondence dated 8/5 but received 8/13 that amended the policy contract IN WRITING removing the pre-existing condition exclusion on each of us.  And I thought they didn't send that out.  Silly me.

Until next post...

"WARSH" DAY IN TOWN

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals!  It's been a while since my last post... but it's just been darned hot and crazy humid... and that doesn't lend itself to spending time doing much!

However... there are things that can (and should) be done even in the tough weather.  One of those things is to visit the local car wash.  Please note that just because it is called a "car" wash does not mean that is the only item that can be washed.  Oh no.  Not at all!!  In fact, far from it!!

So... recognizing I have a really hard-working Murray and that said Murray had been left far too long without a good bath, we decided to load that bad boy on the trailer and take it for a "ride."  :)  We didn't tell it where we were going as we wanted that to be a surprise.

The Murray was VERY surprised and quite happy to have arrived at the car wash.  We could tell by the look on its face.

Closer inspection revealed a bath was far overdue!!

After a LOT of quarters and finding myself about as wet as the Murray, we had a "clean machine" to take back home.  You can see the look of pleasure on the Murray's face.

If any of you were thinking there wasn't something to do here, rest assured we can always find something!!

Hope all of you are staying cool and safe.  I am looking toward late fall!!  :)

Until next post...

A RAVE FOR A CHANGE!! WITH A SMALL RANT THROWN IN...

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!  Welcome back! So... you have listened to me rant about SOOOO many things.  I figure it's time to let you know I DO appreciate GOOD customer service and am willing to share information about that, too!  :)

I don't use personal or company names for those about whom/which I rant.  Figure if any of you are truly interested, you will contact me.  Otherwise, no reason to name names.  However... I also figure that any individual or business who/that actually exceeds my expectations should be named.  That's why I am going to tell you about my stellar experience with Zappo's.  Some of you have probably already experienced their extremely appreciated customer service.

I wanted to purchase a pair of new walking/working out shoes (a story for another time).  I was referred to Zappo's by my friend who has had excellent experience with that firm in the past.  I wandered onto the web site and began a search for what I sought.  There were actually two pair of shoes I wanted.  I ordered them, provided my credit card info, then waited for them to arrive.  They did so within short order (quick packing & shipping!).  I tried on both pair and found I really liked one of them but I just didn't care for the way the other pair fit.  Aw gee.  Now I'm going to have to fight to get the darned pair returned and wait for it to process and probably call or email about when I should expect my credit... Nope.  That is NOT how it went, I am delighted to report.  The shipment to me arrived with information and instruction that led me very quickly to the web site to obtain a return shipping label.  Oh... did I mention that Zappo's pays for the return shipping?!?!?!?  Unheard of!  Yep.  They do.  So, I box the pair back up with all of the stuff then drop it off to the nearest UPS site on a Monday.  I figured it would take a while to get the store credit (which I had requested as I had found another pair that cost the same and planned to order them as soon as the store credit was issued).  To my surprise (and delight!), my return shipment made it, was processed, and my store credit was online the following Tuesday... and that's because Monday was the Fourth of July!!  Hot Diggety Dog!!  So, I go to my account online, go to my shopping cart which held the pair of shoes I wanted, processed my way through... and found that Zappo's was going to provide me with FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING on this order!!  WHAT?!?!?!?!?  What on earth has happened here?  That can't be right.  Yep.  It was.  My shoes arrived the very next day (and fit beautifully).  I cannot say enough good things about this experience.  Really.  So when you are thinking about new shoes, check out Zappo's first.  They have a huge selection and may have exactly what you want.  I'm going to bet their price is best, too.  Tell 'em I sentcha'!  :)

On another note entirely, I have had 2 really weird experiences here in my world of shopping.  The first thing was my call to a local eating establishment to place an order to pick up.  After a LOT of rings, I got the message that it would be closed the entire week, opening again the following Monday.  Hmmmm.  I don't remember seeing that information anywhere when I was just there a few days before?  I may have missed it.  Whatever.  Go to Plan B.  The second thing was my stop at a local downtown establishment where a friend of mine had indicated I could likely get a product that is not found just anywhere.  I pulled up in front of the place, piled myself out of the vehicle, and walked to the door... where I read the sign that said (I'm paraphrasing)... "Flexible Summer Hours.  Call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx if you need help."  Uh.  Okay.  I called and caught the individual finishing lunch... at about 1:30ish.  I was told the individual was most likely to be there between 10:00 and Noon in the mornings.  Okay.  I'll try again.  (I didn't as I found what I needed 45 miles to the south at a store that apparently has FIXED Summer Hours!)  *chuckle*  So... I'm wondering if "business hours" has a different meaning here?  I really prefer to have hours I can depend on.  Call me crazy!  Guess I'll just get in the habit of calling ahead before I go anywhere to shop or eat here.  Oh... and we did call another eatery here to find out what time they would open the next day as we wanted to pick up lunch for ourselves and the aunt.  Good thing we did.  That was when we were told they were closing the next day and would be closed for several days.  Alrighty then!!  Guess we'll have that lunch this week.

Finally, as I ramble on, I want to share a couple of photos sent to me by my friend.  Now... I am not going to make any assumptions about exactly what she and her spousal-unit are growing on their property... but if there are any Cheshire cats in this town, I'm guessing they are living (and disappearing) in my friends' back field.  I did not see the rabbit or the Queen of Hearts... but I will be cautious in my future visits to their home.  You'll see what I mean.  If you don't get it... go ask Alice!!

Until next post...

LAGOON MONSTER!!!

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals!  I so hope you will have a safe and happy Fourth of July.  I also hope you will remember why we celebrate that day.  It's important.

So... things here in Swampland have been relatively calm.  There was an interesting sighting recently, however, in which I think you may have an interest.  I ask you to recall that the elevation of the airport here is only 203' above sea level.  This is important so you can understand there is a LOT of water here and there are MANY critters slithering and sliding in it.  With that in mind, I present you with an apparent "lagoon creature" found in our pool recently.  Its origin is unknown.  Its purpose in finding its way across land to end up in the pool is unknown.  If it continues to appear, I may be forced to contact the LSU (Louisiana State University) swamp specialists for an opinion.

CREATURE SPOTTED!!!

IT HEADS FOR THE DEPTHS!!

IT REMAINS SUBMERGED, AVOIDING SCRUTINY!!  SLY!!

I will keep a close watch for this creature.  I will notify you if it continues to appear in the pool.  I certainly hope it is a friendly creature!!

On another note entirely, I hope we all can be as relaxed as "Demon", the tuxedo kitty that hangs out here (without any contribution to the household such as catching the occasional flying insect that has found its way in or alerting me to the presence of the pool creature!).  I don't know if I will ever feel quite as confident and quite as comfortable as he is obviously feeling below.

So enjoy your holiday.  Relax and take it like Demon.  :)

Until next post...

MORE CUSTOMER SERVICE... NOT!

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!  Welcome to another (hopefully humorous) rant!  :)

So... I have a young friend here with a newborn.  The baby began running a fever and was taken to the Emergency Room (can you say "nightmare?") Thursday night.  The baby was tested and admitted for further observation.  She should be going home today (Saturday) if her fever stays "gone" for 24 hours from Friday afternoon about 1:00ish.  That's the good news.  None of this is relative to my rant except this is WHY I was going where I was going.  Got it?  I knew you could stay with me.  You are an extremely astute group!!

I texted my young friend Friday afternoon and discovered she was in the hospital with her newborn.  Her husband had been there during a good portion of the day but was gone for a while, returning later.  I know sitting in a hospital room with very few friends available can be extremely frustrating.  She and her husband are here as he is stationed at Fort Polk.  Family is in faraway places like Maine and some other where up north where the Yankees exist.

Alright.  The main point here.  I asked my friend what she would like me to bring to her as I was heading her way to visit.  She asked for such a little thing... a large coffee, cream, no sugar.  How hard could that possibly be?!?  You have no idea, my Blogging Pals.  You have no idea.  Sigh.  She specified the location from where I was to retrieve the simple item.  It was not a place I frequent... in fact, I believe I have not been there since relocating here in May of 2009.  But my friend was in need and I was going to do the best I could to help her out.

I figured the drive-through should be a breeze!  I pulled to the ordering point, placed my very simple order, and was advised to continue.  Got it.

I rounded the back corner of the building, heading toward the window where the coffee should be waiting for me, and came to a screeching halt when I heard a female voice saying "Hey!!!"  Oops.  Guess my drive-through experience is limited to the point I didn't KNOW this particular facility had a "first window" where one hands over the cash before proceeding to the "second window" where one retrieves one's order.  LOL!!  So... I back up, place my vehicle in the appropriate spot to hand over my $1.62, laugh heartily with the young lady at that window, then press forward toward the goal... a large coffee, cream, no sugar.

When I reach the "second window", a very nice young man (approximately Senior-in-high-school age) smiles and tells me they are having to brew the coffee and would I mind parking until it is ready?  Alright.  I haven't encountered this situation before so I ask, "Where do you want me to park?" thinking there may possibly be a "designated parking" area for those of us who place demanding orders that will require an extra effort.  He politely points all around, indicating I can park any darned where I so please.  I inquire "Will you be bringing the coffee to me when it is ready?" to which he responds, "Oh, yes!"  No problem.  I will be right there (in the parking spot I can pull into by making a slight right from the window).  Fine.

Having had some less-than-stellar experiences here, I make a mental note of the time on my vehicle's clock.  It is 5:59 p.m.  Got it.  Leaving the vehicle running and the A/C blowing (c'mon, folks... it's 137 degrees out there!), I view the exit door for the facility via my rear view mirror.  I expect I will see a properly-uniformed individual racing out with my cuppa' Joe any time now.

It is 6:02 p.m.  Assuming "brewing" means an army's worth (it IS a restaurant, after all), I'm going to give them another minute or so for it to finish, my cup to be poured, and my "runner" to arrive.

It is 6:06 p.m.  I'm over this.  I know I am not in a rocket-science environment here... but I think 7 minutes might be a little over-the-top for a cup of coffee. Is it me?  Am I too impatient?  Are my expectations too high?

I place my fine, gas-guzzling Suburban into Reverse, back myself (and said Suburban) up the exit driveway, ooch (yes, that's a word... at least here it is) my vehicle over toward the building, and roll back up to the "second window" to check on the status of my clearly impossible-to-fill-easily order.  The very nice young man, apparently having seen my maneuver and figured out what was happening, blushingly looked at me and stated "I'm so sorry! They're making it now."  Huh?  My question: "Are they just now making the coffee?!?"  Nope.  The coffee was brewed... but no one seemed to manage to actually POUR a cup to get it to me.  Sigh.  Lord help me.

The young man pushes a bag toward me (still without coffee) and says, "Here.  She wants you to have two apple pies."  There was no real clarity in my head regarding "she" (who?) or "why" (is this supposed to keep me from losing it?).  Immediately following the bag came the prized cup of coffee.  Based on my experience thus far, I check the bag for the cream.  None there.  I ask if there is cream in the coffee already.  Yeppir.  Turns out there is.  My friend had specified the number, which I had specified during my order, and apparently these folks actually put it in the cup with the coffee rather than force me to open itty-bitty plastic containers that typically splatter all over me.  Bless their hearts!

So... about 10 minutes after pulling into the parking lot, I am finally exiting with my lone ordered cup of coffee... and a couple of unrequested apple pies.  LOL!!  Could not really do much but laugh about this one.  I mean... the little fella' behind the window was really nice... and he seemed really embarrassed about the situation.  I did actually manage to get what I had ordered... and a couple of "freebies" thrown in.  No harm, no foul, I guess.  Sigh.

Customer Service.  An oxymoron in most environments.  If apologies were what I was seeking, I would have been extremely pleased.  Guess they were better than nothing.

Oh... and if you haven't checked lately, the little eagles are now big birds.  They have begun stepping out onto limbs around the nest, testing their wings!!  They will be flying soon.  Don't miss your chance to see them do so! 

Until next post...