(no subject)
I hate insurance companies.
This is where I would normally amend a statement like that, write something like "Okay, not really..." or "I kid, I kid."
Only, I really do mean it. My former employer switched out my policy and fubared what was as good a deal as I could get, considering my situation. I pay more than I should, but apparently, it's not enough. Now, before I can get any medical treatment (including my infusions), I would have to pay my yearly deductible up front. Instead of copays which, though reasonable, I could barely afford, I now have coinsurance, making me responsible for a certain percentage of all costs (and I believe this is 20-25%, but could be as much as 50%) until I reach the preset out-of-pocket maximum.
So, in order to get my infusion this month, I would have to shell out approximately $1500. That's about $1300 more than I have at any given time these days. And what makes this amount completely ridiculous is that it's only good for two months; I'm losing COBRA eligibility 01 October.
And I learned about this all yesterday. The day of my infusion. Four hours before my appointment.
Yay!
They say my only other option is, of course, paying for the infusion out-of-pocket. Total cost for the procedure is billed at about $4200. So... Yeah... What? But, my ortho clinic is sending me some information about a Remicade reimbursement program, which may cut that cost down to $100, or so.
If that's the case, I might try to wait a few weeks, so I only have to pay for one infusion until we see what October brings. This is me, giving you fair warning: I cannot be held responsible for my upcoming levels of potential crankiness. I apologize in advance.
I was really hoping for as few extraneous problems as possible for the next couple of months, so I could concentrate on what to do once COBRA runs out. I may be looking into state-sponsored insurance, since Medicaid seems to be dragging its feet (I honestly believe they're waiting to see whether or not I'm approved for disability).
This all is not to say I'm on board with universalizing healthcare; I'm not even in the same marina. I'll find some way to make it all work. I just felt like whining a little. I don't know. I guess I'm just annoyed to go through all this knowing I'm struggling to help pay some executive's six-figure salary.
This is where I would normally amend a statement like that, write something like "Okay, not really..." or "I kid, I kid."
Only, I really do mean it. My former employer switched out my policy and fubared what was as good a deal as I could get, considering my situation. I pay more than I should, but apparently, it's not enough. Now, before I can get any medical treatment (including my infusions), I would have to pay my yearly deductible up front. Instead of copays which, though reasonable, I could barely afford, I now have coinsurance, making me responsible for a certain percentage of all costs (and I believe this is 20-25%, but could be as much as 50%) until I reach the preset out-of-pocket maximum.
So, in order to get my infusion this month, I would have to shell out approximately $1500. That's about $1300 more than I have at any given time these days. And what makes this amount completely ridiculous is that it's only good for two months; I'm losing COBRA eligibility 01 October.
And I learned about this all yesterday. The day of my infusion. Four hours before my appointment.
Yay!
They say my only other option is, of course, paying for the infusion out-of-pocket. Total cost for the procedure is billed at about $4200. So... Yeah... What? But, my ortho clinic is sending me some information about a Remicade reimbursement program, which may cut that cost down to $100, or so.
If that's the case, I might try to wait a few weeks, so I only have to pay for one infusion until we see what October brings. This is me, giving you fair warning: I cannot be held responsible for my upcoming levels of potential crankiness. I apologize in advance.
I was really hoping for as few extraneous problems as possible for the next couple of months, so I could concentrate on what to do once COBRA runs out. I may be looking into state-sponsored insurance, since Medicaid seems to be dragging its feet (I honestly believe they're waiting to see whether or not I'm approved for disability).
This all is not to say I'm on board with universalizing healthcare; I'm not even in the same marina. I'll find some way to make it all work. I just felt like whining a little. I don't know. I guess I'm just annoyed to go through all this knowing I'm struggling to help pay some executive's six-figure salary.