Who were you working for and can you write me a reference?

NYU. Between the fact they are the biggest employer in NYC and exploit much of their teaching staff, I guess they have the resources for fabulous healthcare.

Not only did I not see a bill for that surgery, but they overcharged my sister when she went to pick up a prescription for me (I was still in the hospital) and (unasked!) recognized their error months later and refunded the difference.

I also have wonderful coverage. Paid for most of my IVF costs, which many people tell me is unheard of.

Is that one of the things mandated by California? I know when I worked for a MA-based company, a whole lot was covered that normally wouldn't be because of state law, including IVF. My sister knows someone who falsely claimed MA-residency for said coverage.

You know why we can't finalize my dad's estate? Because Dad's Medicare supplementary insurance and the hospital have been in a pissing match over $400 since February. The hospital keeps sending Dad letters asking him to discuss the matter with the insurer. I (the executrix) keep sending the letters back saying a) Dad's no longer discussing anything with anyone, as he died in their fucking hospital and b) the insurer has denied the claim six times so they need to move on and either eat the charge or bill the estate. I don't know how much work time the back-and-forth has taken, but I doubt either side is doing it for free.

I suspect the end result of all this is $40 Tylenol tablets.

I actually have a health insurance question for you guys. My friend's mom is in NY state. She is battling cancer, which has spread throughout her body. She has finally realized that she can't go back to teaching college this fall, but her health insurance will end either 30 or 60 days after she resigns. I've heard y'all talk about COBRA insurance after losing a job. Won't she qualify for COBRA? And can they disqualify her from COBRA because she is so sick? Considering how sick she is (cancer in her brain, lungs, skin, and arms), does it cost more? She is very sick, but nobody's really sure how much time she has left. My friend's wife is due to give birth in about 3 weeks and they think she is holding on until the baby comes.

OMG y'all. I left at 5:00 on the dot AND JUST GOT HOME!!! Sure I had an errand to run that took me 20 min out of my normal way, but every single train was running late and then we had a delay because of an "incident" being "investigated". Had to leave the train at one point to call and get someone else to get mac. Thank dog those people fed him. Now I need to eat, but I am sweaty and tired and nothing sounds good if I have to fix it for myself.

Holy crap msbelle, that is an epic fail of a commute.

true fact.

oh I need to email you. incoming shortly.

Sue, I believe she'd be able to have COBRA for up to 12 or 18 months, but it's extremely expensive (though Obama's administration has discounted the cost). But it's pretty much the only way to continue coverage with a pre-existing condition right now (short of her getting a new job).

Sue, the only people not eligible for COBRA are those who are fired with just cause. It's considered continuation of coverage, so pre-existing conditions do not apply. And it will cost her exactly 102% of the cost of the coverage, regardless of her illness (although I don't know how much the new discount will affect that). However, I think any deductibles or out of pocket limits she's already reached this year will not carry over, she'll have to pay those again.

Oh, that sucks, msbelle.

I've heard y'all talk about COBRA insurance after losing a job. Won't she qualify for COBRA? And can they disqualify her from COBRA because she is so sick? Considering how sick she is (cancer in her brain, lungs, skin, and arms), does it cost more?

But that situation really sucks. I'm pretty sure the deal with COBRA is that because it's keeping your current insurance, there aren't the disqualification issues with changing insurance. Also what javachik said.