Whatever you get, just make sure there is no break in coverage or (sm)

• Anyone been on COBRA - siren
  • cobra - smf
  • Completed COBRA recently-VLM - PsychicMT
  • I did it years ago (1995) for about 9 months - sm -
  • Wise MT - siren
  • At age 64, I have had to take COBRA, it's $926 a MONTH - Wise.MT
    • I now have private insurance (sm) - I lost my coverage too
    • This doesn't sound right. Your MTSO was paying - $926 a month for single coverageyou? sm
      • No, the employer doesn't pay COBRA, you pay COBRA directly. - Flibertygibbit - nm
        • COBRA is simply an extension of your sm - but
  • Whatever you get, just make sure there is no break in coverage or (sm) - Main concern
    • Even if it is a 2-week break? Need to know ASAP - paintyper
  • COBRA is not a specific insurance sm - as far as I know
  • Friend got BCBS insurance for six months. Cheaper than - COBRA. Call them.
    • Again, COBRA is not insurance, just an extension of sm - ??
    • BCBS - siren
  • Do an archive search - good info posted a few weeks ago. - nm

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I think it's great to see a thread discussing this subject. 

However, when it comes to "prejudice," it has always been with us, since the beginning of time.  It is a human problem, not a white American problem, as so many people seem to be saying.  Some of the most prejudiced people I have encountered in my few decades of life have been non-whites.  When I lived in Latin America, I learned that brown-skinned people discriminate each other based on how light their skin tone is - the lighter the skin, hair color and eye color, the more prestige they had.  Some of our U.S. African-American soldiers were called derogatory names by the Somalians when we were over there - a real eye opener for them.  They thought they were "going home" and then were assailed with hatred and expletives because of their dark skin.

We all need to guard against letting our attitudes harden our hearts towards other people.  It is a life-long process.  I recently realized that my financial concerns because of income loss from this job of MT - with losing jobs to overseas, the foreign-born dictators making it so hard to earn a decent line count - were hardening my heart towards immigrants.  I am in the process of reassessing my attitude and thoughts about that.  I don't want to turn into an angry, hateful, bitter old bigot. 

That is the one problem with own accounts.  After three days to Tahoe-Reno I came back to 14 tapes as no one wanted anyone else.  But am thinking of taking nearly a week off later this year and so I would like some coverage.  I used to work for a small local MTSO here as an IC and still keep in touch and I might see if there is someone there that wants to do an extra tape or two during the week I am gone.  Also see if there is a chapter of local AAMT in your area -- and I am not sure if it is the national AAMT but here in Portland there is a group of MT's and I got a list of names from them who will do back up and overflow.  I haven't joined but have talked to a few people there and we do some networking.  I have been doing this for so long in the Portland area that I continuously run into people that did either the OHSU account I did or worked for one of the offices previously, etc.  It is a small world.  That is also how I get my people contact.  Also run an ad in the paper well ahead of when you are going to leave.  But there is always the fear that they could "take away" your account but since most of the gals that have helped me out I used to work with -- I don't worry about that.  And you know how it is the first few days on the account -- you don't do that well so they are either ready to kill my docs since I am so used to them or the office says -- "don't ever leave again" because that person does things different that we all appreciate each other immensely when I get back.  But there are ways, just gotta put a little effort into it.  They don't need to do it all but I came back to 14 tapes and if I could have had half done, it would have been nice.  Good luck. 

The payment's not that big on it, except when there's a mixup at the bank and they deduct one check twice with the same amount and same check number.  It just feels like the money mojo magnet is gone from my life this week!  LOL  Everything seems to go wrong all at once. 

I have five accounts and two I have IC's who work for them -- psych accounts no problem when I leave town.  But my other three, have asked that I have NO ONE work on the account but me and they hold the tapes and I do them when I come back as fast as I can and sometimes wishing I had not taken time off.   No they work with me but then I don't take off much time and when I do it is usually a couple of days and the weekend so we are all not stressed.   If I were to have surgery or something I have friends that would help out and the accounts realize that it would be necessary.  That is one of the drawbacks of having your own accounts.  No work --no money.   But it does make you appreciate your time off.

S/B able to get something reasonable.  If you're looking for family coverage it is doubtful you would find anything under $350.00/mo.  You might want to look into medical savings accounts.  You have to qualify for these and I'm not sure what the criteria is, but Google it.   If you are a non-smoker and have no pre-existing medical issues, aren't grossly overweight, and not planning a baby anytime soon, you might want to look at getting mainly a major medical plan that would cover you in event of hospitalization or something catastrophic, and just pay routine care out of pocket.

We currently have insurance through DH job, but when I was looking for independent coverage Celtic had the cheapest and then Medcost was the next cheapest.  I called several agencies and they all quoted me on Medcost, but the premiums varied as much as $200.00/mo.   BCBS has something caled Blue Advantage that you might want to look at.  I hate BCBS because they are such a pain to deal with and deny a large percentage of claims, but it might be an option. 

I have offered just coverage for vacations, etc. and have networked that way, but I know that is tough when you are full-time from home and not in a medical type setting.  I think it is a shame that more do not frequent the State Boards here.  I like hearing everyone's opinions, but if the State Boards were frequented more, I think we could all really network a little more.  I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine type of thing.  Most people do not like to do that because they are afraid you will take their account, but I believe in being trusting, and that is bad karma!  JMO.

I just started a new MT job and will get health insurance when my benefits quick in.  I want to put my husband on my insurance.  My question is- he has spina bifida and I am concerned that the insurance company will deny him coverage.  Can they do that?

Thanks

I did not say I looked like a teeny bopper or hooker.  I said I traded my stretch shorts and t-shirts for denim shorts and a tank top.  Yeah, the shorts are somewhat low rider because they don't come up to my bra like the stretchy shorts do, but they've got a full rise that covers the crack and belly button.

Oh, no!  I must be a wanna-be trampy teenager!  Maybe next I'll go out and get some red satin thongs, a belly button ring and a butt tattoo because y'all are jumping on me like that's what I'm trying to do.  If you can't understand the concept of "full coverage", stay out of the conversation.

a map on their website showing coverage area.  I haven't used a broadband card yet.   I know someone who used a Verizon air card and they said they were able to get service everywhere they went.  They were on the west coast, where it seems more reasonable that there would be a wider range of service.   You can check Verizon's website for coverage area too.  Another option may be for you to get dial-up at your mother's house.   You can get People PC for $10.95/month, but I don't know if they require a contract.   If none of the big ISPs have a local number you can get service through a small local provider and they usually do not require a contract.  I have traveled extensively and have spent several weeks in some places where dial-up was the only available option at the time and even though I had an ISP they did not have local service.  

Another option is to try the free trials with various ISPs if they have service in your mom's area.   There is no charge is you cancel before trial period is up. 

If you are an IC and work from home, join your local Chamber of Commerce and sign up for one of the plans they offer.

The premiums are not cheap, but at least you have a chance for health insurance. 
 

If you are under a certain yearly income, many states offer plans. I live in NY.  Besides coverage through my local Chamber of Commerce (I had to drop the plan as it was too expensive), I was covered under Healthy New York (something like $150 per month), then went to  Family Health Plus, but am now on Social Security Disability and am covered under Medicare (NOT cheap, either!) 

 

Don't give up. Go to your state's web site. Somewhere there you should be able to find a "health" link. Or, try your state's department of health site and see what they have to offer. Many states offer insurance for the self employed, unfortunately you have to search for the link!

than a hand... and sure enough I did.  A few years ago I fell off the top of a ladder and as I was falling, which only took about 5 seconds, my MT survival instincts took over and I stuck my foot out to protect my hands.  Three surgeries later I was back at work with a cast on my right leg from ankle to thigh.  Believe me, you'll adjust to using your left foot.  I did it for almost a year.

and do something else this year, it doesn't have to be forever.  Also, I think you should tell your mother the problem.

You can join me, I have an evil stepmother and nobody would pick me up from the Amtrak and now the tickets are sold out and it's too late to go for the holidays.  On the other hand, I find dealing with it so draining that I'm off the hook this year and can do whatever I want, I won't be spending my holiday on the freeway.  Good luck!

You sound like such a rightious person, hope you don't need help some day.  Again I would much rather have her collect some unemployment until she can find a job that truly suits her than just have to take any job.  You can say the employer pays it but it is a 'Undefined benefit" that we all have when we work enough hours and if someone lays you off or fires you for cause as long as you weren't stealing or doing something against the rules.   Much better than the welfare fraud, the illegals coming in and taking our tax dollars after having only been here for a few weeks/months.  At lease she has been in the workforce contributing to society and her taxes.  So get off her back, give her some space so she can find a job that suits her and doesn't have to take the first one that comes along.  And no, I am a MTSO and cannot collect unemployment so I am not personally involved in this.