Toilet Paper

When I first moved out on my own, I adapted surprisingly well from living with my parents and roommates to being completely independent. The week I signed my Teacher’s Contract, I immediately scouted apartments. I knew exactly which part of town I wanted to live in and I was confident I could afford the rent as well as all of the living expenses. I made sure to have the basics: utilities, phone, water and I could even afford cable! I was not fazed by the cost of groceries or laundry detergent. However, it was toilet paper that always made me cringe. Was the expensive brand really worth it? What was the big deal about 2-ply? Can I get by only buying a 4-pack or do I need to stock-up?

For some reason, no matter how much I spent at Target on toothpaste, baking soda or Windex, it was the cost of toilet paper that I could not accept. However, eventually I submitted to the fact that TP was as a necessity. Eventually, I stopped cringing. Finally, I agreed that the “good stuff” was worth it.

Health Care is my new Toilet Paper.

I explained to you that, as a retiree, I can keep my current insurance on my group health plan by paying the monthly premium of $517 to Special School District. When I first heard that number, I was appalled! How could one person be expected to pay that for health care each and every month? Then, I continued my research. I called various insurance companies and requested information for private insurance. Immediately, one company told me that I was uninsurable. Another company hesitated, then sent me a detailed application. Upon completion of the application, I was again rejected. Frustrated, I reached out to my PT Facility’s Office Manager and asked for direction. She suggested that I contact her insurance broker. She assured me that, out of all of the insurance companies available, there had to be at least ONE who would accept me and my preexisting condition.

After contacting the broker, I received this email:

Stephanie,
Unfortunately, you would be an automatic decline for individual health insurance, based on your previous medical history. Since you have the option for COBRA after your group coverage ends, you would also not be eligible for the Missouri Health Insurance Pool. I am sorry that I wasn't able to help you! After your COBRA runs out, I would be happy to help you obtain MHIP coverage.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Ashley

Seriously? I was rejected again – but this time, by THEE agent of all agents. That settled it. Private Insurance is NOT an option for me.

We contacted Gage’s school district, praying that their Group Plan would me more affordable that SSD’s plan. WRONG! His district charges $590.00 per month for spouses.

As I said in my previous blog, Medicare and Medicaid were no longer options, either. Either we were above the poverty line (Thank God!) or we had too much in a savings account or I did not have the “right kind of” disability according to their eligibility requirements.

I then got out my calculator. $517 each month is $6,204 per year. Would I save money by just paying for all of my doctors and appointments out-of-pocket? Since I require weekly PT visits, I started with that office. Because I have such a strong relationship with The Facility, the Office Manager and The President offered me a deal: Instead of the regular $200+ cost per visit, they would offer me a cash discount of $50 for the first 30 minutes and $25 for each additional 15 minutes. My visits are 45 minutes long = $75.00 each week. That is about $375 per month for PT alone. Okay – that is cheaper… Maybe I’ve got something here. Then, I looked at my last doctor’s bill. A 20-minute check-up with my Primary Care Physician costs about $150.00. And, a visit with my Pain Specialist is the same, without the cost of any injections, which are an additional $200 dollars. This does NOT count my prescriptions. For one medication alone, without insurance, the cost is $80.00. I currently am on 5 prescription medications each month. If each cost an average of $80, then that is an additional $400 per month. During a busy month, where I saw each doctor, PT and filled my prescriptions, I would pay a minimum of $1,275.00.

After all of the calculations and options, SSD’s Group Health Plan of $517 per month was starting to look a lot more appealing than venturing out without any insurance at all.

Bottom line, I need health care – and right now, I do not have choices because of my disability. I can pay my district $517 or I can pay Gage’s district $590 each month. Both offer the same options: health care, vision and dental with 60 PT visits and comparable co-payments and deductibles.

Thankfully, God is finding unexpected ways to bless me and the incredible cost of monthly premiums is not as terrifying as was when I first discovered the amount two months ago. I cannot wait to share with you exactly what these blessings are in my next blog – so keep reading!

For now, it looks like as of August 25th, I will be taking over my monthly payments and shelling out over $500 for health care. Health care is about 100 TIMES the amount of toilet paper, but hopefully, one day, I will adjust to this new expense just like, years ago, I came to the realization that you cannot live without TP…