My premiums for Kaiser were increased for the second year in a row. They want me to pay $767.00 PER MONTH in 2008. This is just for me, no family, no dental, no eyeglasses. And doctor's visits still cost me $25. Isn't this a shocker?
So I've been applying for alternate coverage, and have even considered a medical discount account, which isn't even insurance. Even that costs $250.00 per month, with a one time sign up fee. But then if I needed hospitalization or surgery my family would have to sell the house and all get jobs shelling peanuts or something.
I feel like I belong in a Michael Moore movie. Maybe there are some seats left in the boat for Cuba. When I saw "Sicko" I cried all the way through it, sad for all the other people who don't have medical care, and the sorry state of our government vis a vis health insurance. Now that my own tit is in the wringer I'm mad as hell.
Another consideration I had was to let my insurance lapse altogether and hold my breath until I reach 65 (six years from now) and Medicare can cover me, if it still exists. Of course I wouldn't be able to leave the house for fear of accident.
Shopping for medical insurance is much like helping a high school senior apply to college. It makes you want to pull your hair out and puke on it. After three or four hours at the computer filling out forms, I just have to walk away and do something completely different to detox.
Fortunately, there are some options in that regard: I can hold the baby, for one. This is deeply comforting to me. Cooking is also nice, especially with a glass of wine. Television doesn't do the trick- it only makes me madder. I am currently lost in MFK Fisher. (Was she a great big rich snob, or was it simply a different time?)
Rant concluded.
