Arrrgh. Stupid health insurance. I know that I'm very lucky that my job provides it, but we're switching companies because of how much Aetna jacked up our rates.

So we had a meeting yesterday with our insurance guy to explain the new plan, which is more or less like our old one, but with higher co-pays, AND some weird-ass new restrictions on certain things. Like, the insurance will not pay for physical therapy at all, until you meet a $3,500 deductible.

And the kind-of-biggie for me is that it also won't pay for any "procedure" performed in the doctor's office (versus as an outpatient or inpatient). I didn't quite understand what that meant, until Insurance Guy (who WAY overshares) mentioned that another client of his got an IUD (really, he has no business, legally, telling us that), which is done in the OB/GYN office. And then she got a bill for about $1,000, because it was an "in-office" procedure.

Because timing is everything, my IUD is about ready to be swapped for a new one (the Mirena should be switched at about 5 years [and now I'm having weird Farscape images of Scorpius changing the cooling rods in his head]). It was supposed to be done in August.

But since we're still on Aetna until June 1, you can DAMN betcha I called the OB/GYN first thing this morning to have it done before this month is out. Jesus Christ, what fucking bullshit.

There's some other hoops to jump through (we have to do a lot more paperwork for claims and whatnot), but for the most part, it's the same coverage that we have now. Except for that whole part where it's apparently more cost-effective to pay for a woman's pregnancy than it is to pay for them to get 99.5% effective long-term contraception.

So I have onerously already scheduled that. Woo.

Then we have to take all 3 pets to the vet after work (our vet is awesome for letting us bring them all at the same time), because they need their yearly stuff AND because we're worried about Slinky's weight loss and ravenous hunger and such. Fingers crossed that it's diabetes or something else that can be managed with drugs/insulin.

I think I'm going to bake some scones, damn it. (We are off today, as always, for National Day O Prayer.)

Ita if on the venire they will ask you for any reason you can't serve. You can explain the daily migraines and likely they will dismiss you.

POTUS is right outside now. It reminds me that I need to make my vacation plans for this September.

Thanks, bon. We've been called to a courtroom. I'm surprised at how dressed up some people are.

Why do I only have my monster sketchbook?

because we're worried about Slinky's weight loss and ravenous hunger and such. Fingers crossed that it's diabetes or something else that can be managed with drugs/insulin.

That or hyperthyroid would be my guess based on experience with my cats. They both have the hyperthyroid and those were the symptoms, along with hair loss. And that was also the symptoms when Swifty was diagnosed with the diabetes.

(Also, I used to have a cat named Stinky so that's how I keep reading his name!)

Good luck, ita. I hope you can convince them.

I drafted a letter on Monday (follow-on from a meeting with the Big Boss) and sent it off to the lawyers to review, and it came back with none of my original language in it, other than "Thank you for your attention to this matter. If you have any questions, my point of contact is [Consuela etc]"...

Very amusing, and I'm glad I've gotten over any territoriality about my words in the workplace. Nothing's ever perfect, and everyone wants to make their mark.

Wish I'd known about this job a few weeks ago--I could have buffed up my resume and sent it in.

Maybe I will work on it this afternoon!

I'm sorry, Burrell. Much peace to your family.

For those about to leave the house pantsless, a guide. Am I wearing pants? [link]

That is fantastic. I would like to send it to some people here.