We have been going without medical insurance for Josie since her COBRA ran out in November, while waiting for her Medicare to kick-in in a couple years. It has created a couple tense moments. Starting with her emergency last week at the hospital which we had to pay for at the time of service. The next situation was getting the stiches removed, which were due to happen yesterday (the hospital would have to charge us again for that). We drove to a clinic in Clermont that was recommended to us by the hospital for people that have no insurance, so we drove there to check it out. What a scam! They charge $389 just for the first visit, which is a consultation. Having the stitches removed would have cost another $189-$300, depending on the number of stitches to be removed. We decided to go home and I would remove the stitches, which was really a no-brainer. The wound has been healing nicely and we performed the stitch removal with no pain, and in short order, for free.
As far as we can tell, the new medical laws have had zero impact on people that are in Josie's situation - COBRA running out and replacement insurance costs out of sight because of her age and pre-existing conditions. While shopping for replacement insurance a couple months ago, right after her insurance ran out, the best we could find was a policy that would cost over $600/month, with a $7,000 deductable. Who can afford that? That's when we decided to go without coverage and take our chances for the next couple years that nothing major would be required. We are hoping we will be OK as long as there are no emergencies. There are millions of people in the country that are in the same boat.
On the other hand, I just had three moles removed at a Dermatologist office and it cost me a total of $30 co-pay. All I have is Medicare and a free supplemental policy with Secure Horizons and I pay nothing except my normal Medicare deduction. If we can just make it until Josie is 65.
Today is the first of 2 days working where I start late in the day - 4PM today, and 4:30PM tomorrow. I will work until 10PM and 10:30PM respectively. Terrible hours! Even though I enjoy the type of work I'm doing, I need to end this madness and go where we both can work and make decent money with normal hours. The target date for departure is now March 17th. That's when the reservation ends here at Thousand Trails. It will allow us to spend some time at the parks before we leave and allow us to save the money from another week out of the system.
That's about all for now...
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