Done this week (20120925 Tu - 28 Fr)

[mdlbear]

I finally made the call to my benefits people that I should have made two months ago, to find out what the options and prices were going to be to keep my medical and dental COBRA coverage going. I was not expecting the total to be more than the mortgage on the old house! $2100. I am *so* *screwed*

And I actually have a gap in coverage, between the end of this month (when Ricoh stops paying for it) and the time I pay my first bill. At which point they cover me retroactively. I went ahead and got my crown started before I knew the details, but that'll be ok.

I still have a month, I *think*, to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan. Anyone have recommendations re: GroupHealth vs. Blue Cross/Blue Shield? If I can get into that now, I can drop my COBRA coverage and just go with Colleen and the YD.

On the job front, $A3 looked at my resume and said "other candidates are more qualified". So much for that. $A also rejected me -- that was actually a relief. On the other hand, my interview at $D was the easiest so far -- I think I have a good chance at that.

And on the gripping hand, the CTO at $T wants to talk to me on Wednesday. Looking at the company and what they do, I *really* *really* want it. And I think I'm a good fit. And it's a cool product -- I signed up for a month's free trial, and at $40/year may very well keep it. Unlimited file sharing from your own computers, with nothing stored in the cloud.

Only problem is the overlap with $D, which I expect to hear about next week. They'll probably want me to start on the 15th. Tight.

I went to my interviews by bus again. I *love* being this close to the bus line and downtown.

Links in the notes, as usual.

0925 Tu
  * up 7am; W=193.4; d, n, t; exercise, shower; laundry, dishes,
  * 10am -> 2:30ish - interview at $A
    South Lake Union – 1B  535 Terry Ave North, Seattle, WA 98109
    only direct bus is the 309 First Hill Express, at 7:30 or 8:28
  : got $K (contractor for $D) healthcare info.  Aetna; rather expensive.
    Mandatory generic prescription drug plan, (meaning only that if there _is_
    a generic you have to use it)
  * $A3 said "other candidates are more qualified" kthxbye
  @ Securing Interviews and Work - Words To Avoid In a Resume Format

0926 We
  * up 7:45; W=193.4; d, n, ; laundry, dishes
  * fill out insurance info on dental form
  * 10am:  school bag shopping with N
    went to REI in Seattle -- she got a very nice dark-red REI Quantum messenger bag
  * 2pm Dentist - Accent Dental
    19020 Bothell Way NE, Ste. C    Bothell, WA 98011    Phone (425) 481-5302
    -> crown (in progress); deep cleaning.  Prescription for an ongoing
       infection.  The right side is worse, for some reason.
  x 4pm Dentist (Dr. Weber)
  * $A called -- they don't want me.  At least they didn't leave me hanging like $H
  @ studio buildout part 6: your computer and digital audio workstation 
  * received detailed healthcare info from $K -- Aetna POS II will work.
    Dental plan is Guardian Dental
  * Ricoh also offers Aetna POS II; dental plan is CIGNA
  : as if I don't have enough problems, YD overloaded the shelf in her closet,
    and several of the brackets pulled out from the wall.  Except for the one
    that broke outright.  Maint. request submitted.
  : and Colleen's Kindle needed to be rebooted.  Took multiple tries.  My
    opinion of Amazon has not improved over the course of the day.  Not that it
    was high to begin with.
  : Medicare special enrollment period:
    During the 8-month period that begins the month after the employment ends or
    the group health plan coverage ends, whichever happens first.  NOT after
    COBRA ends.  Fotunately, 8 months after 0401 is 1201.  Saved, but just
    barely.  Unfortunately, Part C only runs 2 months after moving or informing
    my plan that I've moved.   GAAAK!!!!! September, then.  Maybe October if I
    didn't inform them until August; the letter I got from them is dated August 8. 

0927 Th
  * up 8am; W=191.6; d, n, ; exercise, dishes
  * call benefits express re: COBRA.  800-953-2526 
    med 1419 dental 685 = 2104.04   wife & kid only: med 887.02 den 415 1302.02
    -> current coverage ends 9-30; gap covered retroactively after I pay my
       first bill in mid-October.  I get to pick which carrier I use when I
       get my package, again in mid-October.       
    -> Aetna 877-508-6926 aetna.com 
  * pick up Kat 11:30; have lunch and take to RF via AFK; drop off Colleen at
    home.  Leisurely service, bad traffic, and wrong exit made me late
  * Down to Longview to pick up prescriptions.  Arrived 5:40ish
    -> looks like they can fill most of them, with a 3-month supply, even,
       except for Colleen's KCl.
  * Back 8:35ish.  Had at least a little time with N and the kids
  @ Your Body's Best Time for Everything - WSJ.com 

0928 Fr
  * up 7:20; W=193.0; d, n, t, h; laundry, shower, dishes
  @ Facebook Has A Problem With No Solution - Business Insider 
  @ How to Opt Out of Facebook's Newest Attempts to Track Everything You Do,
    Even Offline  (thnidu | Facebook: At it again)
  * order fluticasone, which is the only one still in my list at Kaiser that's
    available.  Aggrenox is down to 0 refills, and I don't want to risk having
    to pay full price for it.
  * stuffed the large REI backpack (had been hiding in the hall closet) into my
    large suitcase -- had to empty out some stuff first :)
  @ Northshore Senior Center (saw their van pull up in front!)
    Locations in Kenmore and Bothell
  ~ call Kaiser Longview pharmacy to get prescription numbers.  Mailorder
    whatever I can.  KCl and doxazosin in particular -> GAAAAH They called --
    can't mail-order from there; have to send them back.  IDIOTS!!!!!!
  * set up Tappin.com (30-day free trial of Pro; $40/year after that, so not bad)
  * 1:30ish take the 522 downtown for $D interview
  * 3pm $D    925 4th Ave, Suite 1600, Seattle, WA  98104  Take the 522 
    probably the easiest interview this month -- 3 people.  Will decide next
    week; wants me to come on board no earlier than the 15th, so that *might*
    work with $T.
  @ Host-Proof Hosting - Ajax Patterns

Comments

[catsittingstill]

*hug*

thinking of you and hoping for the best for you. I wish I could do something more useful...

[technoshaman]

Not Group Death, whatever you do... I'm on Primera BC and it's decent; good choice of docs, etc... (I mean, heck, who *doesn't* take BC? )

Good luck with it.

[mdlbear]

Hmm. BC doesn't seem to offer a medicare advantage plan -- that's under Regence Blue Shield. Premera BC has a medigap plan, however. And that might be a win. Any guidance on BC vs. BS?

Yes...

[ysabetwordsmith]

I've noticed for some time that the cost of health insurance approximates the cost of lodging -- and you're supposed to pay no more than 1/4 to 1/3 of your income for lodging, which is assumed to be the primary expense in responsible budgeting. Double that for health insurance, plus whatever actual health CARE costs you. That doesn't leave much to live on. No wonder the economies are breaking.