Benefits Ups and Downs

Oy. What a nightmare. I worked with the HR rep to figure out how to deal with this new health insurance scenario. We thought we had a plan. I would try to enroll Kiel and Drew in Healthy NY and drop down to the single person plan here. That way the amounts are half what the family plan demands.

I called their hotline number only to discover that it had been disconnected. After a bit of web scrolling, I located another number and called. They recommended that Kiel do Healthy NY and Drew apply for Child Health Plus. Sounded like this would work. But, alas! For Kiel to be on Healthy NY, he would have to pay $240 a month and there is a $3000 annual limit for prescriptions. His prescription is $2000 a month. And his paycheck would barely cover the monthly premium. That would be $2880 a year for just Kiel and he could not get the prescription that he needs. So that's out. He will have to find a solution before he turns 26 though.

As for the Drew part, I can apply, but they can't guarantee that he will be accepted AND he has to be off my insurance totally before they can take him. That's too risky. What if I take him off my insurance and they don't approve him? I could not get a straight answer about whether he would be eligible even though I have insurance through my work. They say you must have no options, not that you just can't afford the plans offered. No, I am stuck. I have to stay on the family plan for at least the first year.

Which means coming up with $2600 in January and an additional $3400 in February as Kiel's prescriptions hit and my chemo happens. Goodness. HR thought I could do it through my flex spending account, but it turns out I can only use that money for dental and vision. That won't work. The only other option is that they will give me loans as my needs arise, and I can do a payroll deduction to pay them back. I am grateful for this option. Still, now I wonder if I will have to find a less expensive apartment to be able to afford rent! Tough being the sole income for a household.

Well, God has always provided, and I see no reason why He will stop now. It will be an interesting year, that's for sure.