Ending the month with a bang!

I suppose promising myself I'd blog something every day wasn't the best idea.  Best laid plans and all that...  But I do try to blog when there is something on my mind or something important to me.  Today is one of those days.

As most of my close friends know I've been actively looking for work since the end of February/beginning of March.  Nothing has really panned out except a temp agency specializing in medical practices, and they haven't had any positions available.  I did go on another interview after that for a receptionist position in a pediatric dentistry practice and when I left I didn't have a good feeling.  I'm not really surprised I never heard from them.  Then the beginning of last week I had a message regarding one of the resumes I'd sent out.  I called and spoke to the gentleman and set up an interview for last Thursday.  Interview #1 went well, and I learned that the company does a 3-part interview system to make sure they have the right people for the jobs.  Friday was set to be a telephone interview but due to an emergency it was postponed until Monday.  Today was my final interview, and I went into it very positive and expecting the best.  I was offered the position!  *happy dance*

I begin training May 10th, but before then I need to finish a licensing class and pass the state exam so I can sell life and health insurance.  No problem.  Everyone says the property and casualty classes and exam are harder and I passed that one just fine.  I will be working for Insphere Insurance Solutions as an independent contractor, which means although they pay me I am basically my own boss.  I like that.  Once licensed and trained I will be selling life, health, long-term care and retirement plans - oh, and they provide all the leads with no cost to me.  Needless to say I'm excited about this new step my career is taking!

Also, as of this morning I have hit the 69.8 lbs mark - just 13 weeks out of surgery!  I'm well on my way to reaching my goal - although running out of clothes that fit is a bit frustrating.  LOL

I'm also trying to get all my plants re-potted so they can enjoy the Spring weather.  I've bought larger pots for the two rose trees and have two miniature roses on their way to be put in the existing pots.  I planted some strawberry plants for Gloria, and I have a lovely purple daisy and a lavender plant to transplant.  Goodness knows it will keep me busy!

For tonight, however I think I will relax.

Sometimes you just gotta take the bad with the good…

Today is my 1 month “surgiversary.”  Yes, it’s been an entire month (4 whole weeks) since my surgery.  I am very happy with my progress to this point and look forward to what the future still has in store for me.  That’s the good part of today.

Then there is the insurance issue.  I’ve been on COBRA since quitting my job in September, 2008.  I had a maximum of 18 months coverage, which means my current policy expires March 11, 2010.  So earlier this month I went online and worked up a quote through a National insurance carrier – the same one my COBRA policy is through.  The quote was within reason (actually a bit less than what I’m paying currently) so I filled out the application and submitted it.  The application was incredibly thorough asking not only for doctors I’d seen but medications I’ve taken and am currently taking, who prescribed them, dates I’d taken them… and surgeries.  Naturally I listed the WLS procedure I had last month.  I figured the fact that I noted it was a “self pay” would be a good thing.

Yesterday I receive a large envelope from them.  I figure this is good news, just like when you get the large envelope from a college or university you’ve applied to.  It was partly good.  Yes, they could offer me a policy, but at their highest tier (4).  The premium per month is roughly 4 times that of the quoted monthly premium.  Their reason for the tier was that my “weight is elevated for height.”  So I fumed.  All I could think was how did they overlook that I just had surgery to help with the weight?  So I spoke to my mom last night as she’s had far more dealings with insurance companies (and once upon a time actually worked for this one) and she suggested I call them even though I couldn’t file an official appeal over the phone (and I don’t really have time to appeal either).

Earlier I spoke to a very nice underwriter named Mary who pulled up my file and reviewed it while we were on the phone.  I asked her if the fact that I’d had gastric bypass last month, and that I’ve already lost over 30 pounds was taken into consideration at all.  She said the fact that I’d had the surgery last month was why I’d been put into tier 4!  I was flabbergasted.  Apparently I’d have to be 3 years post-op in order to be considered for a higher tier!  Insanity!  I thanked her for her time and called my mom with the news.

Am I happy with the outcome?  Hell no.  Is there anything I can immediately do about it?  No.  I can’t be without insurance and there is no more time to apply to another company.  So I will bite the bullet and pay this horrific premium until I become employed and qualify for insurance through a group plan.

However this does bring serious issues to mind.  In my opinion having a surgery for weight loss may cost $X up front, but in the long run it costs the insurance companies less for other co-morbidities that the patients would have.  That would make the insurance companies’ pay out for claims for WLS patients less over time.  Consider all the co-morbidities that my insurance might have needed to pay if I’d not had the surgery:  hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea supplies and/or surgery, knee and/or hip replacement, etc…  Now my chances of all those are drastically reduced.  This is just another example of how the US healthcare system needs an overhaul.  I’m actually trying to figure out where to send a letter/email to those working on the healthcare issue so they have even further evidence of how the insurance companies are treating the insureds.

If I could still drink I would most likely have a glass of wine.  But as alcohol is off limits for another 11 months, I think I’ll just enjoy some water.  Or a nice protein drink.  Regardless, I’m relaxing the rest of tonight.