200

This is my 200th post. Truth is, I don't have a lot to say. But I did want to say that since my last post expressing my frustration with a certain health insurance company, I've found the email address and fax number of the insurance company's president and CEO. I think I'm going to send him a little letter.

Frustrated

Remember that one time when I hurt my foot?

Well, here's the rest of the story. A few days after that first post, I got a letter in the mail from my former insurance company. It was dated May 12 and said that my coverage would be terminated on June 1. I couldn't believe it, so I called them up to verify. "Hi, I've changed jobs, and I know my coverage is ending, can you tell me when my coverage ends?"
Them: Blah, blah, blah. [translation, June 1]
Me: So I'm covered through May 31?
Them: Yes.

So I hung up the phone and made an appointment with the foot doctor. The doctor said, "No broken bones, take it easy, have a nice day."

I paid my copay and was happy to receive the explanation of benefits indicating that the insurance company had paid the claim.

Last month I got a new explanation of benefits. It said they had paid the claim in error and were getting a refund from the doctor because I wasn't covered by them at the time of the appointment.

I made a few calls and apparently between the insurance company and my former employer, they retroactively decided that my coverage ended April 30. It didn't seem to matter that I had in my hand a letter saying I had coverage through May 31 or that I'd called to verify, or that I'd never been notified of any change to the information in the letter.

So now I owe the foot doctor. And I'm irritated because what the insurance company paid and then took back was less than 1/3 of what they are now charging me. I asked about a discount. "Hey, I'll pay the whole thing off right now, if you'll knock of 20%" No deal. She very cheerfully explained that they are happy to take payments from those people who have no insurance, but she wouldn't budge on the bill. They'd rather have $20 per month spread out over most of a year than give a discount.

And it really, really bugs me because the only reason I went to the doctor in the first place (or didn't wait until my coverage from the new job kicked in) was because I was told in multiple forms that I was still covered.

Open to Suggestions

Hey everyone, I've been asked to participate in a leadership training program for 16 and 17 year old girls. I've been given 10 minutes on How to be Organized as a Leader.

Does anyone have any suggestions either for content or for formats/presentation structures that will work well with this age group?

Oh yeah, I have to do this Wednesday night. So hurry up and give me feedback!

Pre-Test

Last night I printed my sample ballot and spent a few hours with my computer and with the newspaper "Voter's Guide."

In some ways it reminded me of preparations for taking a standardized test. Scan-tron form. Check. No. 2 pencil. Check. Multiple choice. Check.

The difference is I'm not sure my studying will help me know the "right" answers for this test.

That makes this a little trickier than the regular standardized tests I've taken. But after last night I feel a little better about it all. I've done what I can to learn about the candidates I'm being asked to choose between, in all of the the races on my ballot. President, US Senate, US House, NC House, NC Senate, Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, County Commissioner, Court of Appeals Judge, and the choices go on and on.

This year, more than any other, I've felt anxiety about these elections and how to vote. I hope I do OK. Actually, I hope we all do OK.