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Insurances and Wellbeing

One of the major parts of happiness and good life is for sure our health — for real, if you’re sick and in pain it doesn’t matter who you’re with, where you are and how much money you’ve got sitting on your bank account. A person suffering from illness can rarely be happy, no matter how bravely he/she tries and how courageously fights. ‘It’s better to be poor and healthy that sick and rich’ the old proverb says. Yeah, kinda-sorta, but I’d prefer all of us were both — healthy and rich!!! šŸ™‚ It’s all fun and games you folks, but watching your personal health is indeed very important. I won’t promote that living til you’re 120 years old goal (wouldn’t actually be bad though, as soon as they still have desserts available! šŸ™‚ ), let’s just go from the point that being healthy saves you money, BIG money I must say!!! Medical bills are high and medications are getting less and less affordable like every single year so we should really do yourselves a big favor — take a good care of ourselves and our loved ones! šŸ™‚

We all know how high medical bills can be and no need to remind you how many people went bankrupt and ended up losing everything they’ve had… Once, while taking a short walk with my baby son to the closest community park in the area, I’ve met a middle-aged man sitting there on a bench. His leg was supported by some kind of a technical cast if I can put it this way… We started chatting, he was staying in the homeless shelter down the block. This man told me his short story, pretty common for our country and our days: he had a job and a house but his employer didn’t provide health insurance benefits and this guy didn’t really bother to get himself one… Then somehow he got traumatized, needed a leg surgery, fall into debt, lost his job because of the trauma… He lost everything and luckily was placed into the homeless shelter by his church. And this story is nothing new or unique, this is actually a boring routine case.

I know that’s a crying shame and even a crime that our health system works this way… šŸ™ We claim to be reaching the highest levels of medical services while those ones are fully affordable to less than a half of American people. We have the most expensive and the least available health system in the World among the highly developed countries! I kidd you not, you can always search for this statistics and you’ll see some horrifying numbers in there… One day hopefully it will change for better, but for right now even though our income is low and we’re broke, we still need to make 100% sure that we have a health insurance for ourselves and our kids.

MEDICAID. Pregnancy and newborn coverage.

I remember my own knees trembling and cold sweat drops suddenly popped along my spine — I found out I was pregnant and I had no idea how I was gonna pay for my pregnancy and delivery… So that happened, that at that very time I didn’t have any health insurance on my own and I was on my leave absence due to a medical condition and my boyfriend had no health insurance at all! Ā Me and my boyfriend rented a tiny apartment and our household income was just a little over 20K. Needless to say that there was no way we could pay for maternity care and delivery bills, forget it.

After a first gasp of panic settled down, I’ve started searching Internet for something like “affordable health insurance”… Boy, you probably know what happened next if you’ve ever faced an alike situation — I wished I’ve never typed my e-mail and phone number to get those quotes!!!! I was literally attacked, I mean it — swept off my feet with a brutal downpour of commercial calls from dozens of agents a day, who aggressively tried to convince me that there’s no way I could get ANY health insurance paying less than like $120 per month and a ginormous deductible and a very limited coverage is a normal thing, that’s why I just must, no, even obligated and it’s like my duty to buy THEIR exact product from THEM directly and immediately and I MUST do it NOW, this very minute, NOOOOOW!!!! šŸ˜® I was horrified — not only they sucked out my last nerves and spammed my phone and email to the stage of a megapolis waste dumpster, but none of them advised anything more or less acceptable…

I guess I need to mention that I was completely new to buying a health insurance by myself — well, that’s a totally different story why so, OK? šŸ™‚ Back to the point, thinking that I’ve got nothing to lose I’ve tried going directly to governmental Medicaid website… I’ve filled in the application online, by myself, without so-called ‘helpful and totally irreplaceable agent’. I’ve received a call from a representative to confirm some of my personal information details and was approved in a couple of days. My new insurance covered EVERYTHING, I mean everything for me and my future baby, even included buying new prescription glasses and some dental procedures. It took care even of my birth control plan afterwards!!! I swear, when I’ve opened the envelope from the State and read “YOU ARE APPROVED…” I sat down and cried — now I knew that my baby and me were safe! And not even once during my pregnancy, delivery and postpartum recovery (2 month after the baby was born) I had a single problem with my medical services, medications or procedures.

Here are two ways you can get a Medicaid application form:
  1. Visit the www.medicaid.gov website and select your state at the bottom of the page.
  2. Call your state Medicaid office.

Apply for Medicaid (direct link)

After my Medicaid coverage ended (because of non-income related reasons — again, it’s the other story), they’ve still kept full 100% coverage for my little son. Therefore, I have like zero worries about where to get money if my baby needs medical attention. Please, do not be afraid and don’t you waste your time in vain for the agents, agencies, promises, overpriced propositions, pushy representatives that refuse to hear a denial, etc. — log online or call your State office. By yourself, alone and confident — you can totally do it yourself without any help, I assure you! Yeah, that application is kinda twisted and a bit complicated like most of bureaucracy paperwork, but it’s not that hard to fill in, just a bit annoying. šŸ™‚

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. My own experience.

Ā At once before you start a discussion about pros and cons of The Affordable Care Act (AKA ‘Obamacare’) — first of all, I’m describing MY OWN EXPERIENCE, regardless of my political views or financial reasons; second — I don’t endorse or judge Obamacare in general for any commercial purposes, I’m just stating the facts — my own facts in my own situation, my own insurance policy and my own premium costs I’ve obtained through The Affordable Care Act. That’s why I’m providing a copy of my health insurance bill as a proof — not to defend or condemn anyone or anything, but just to show you all that it’s not a fake story and finding affordable coverage is possible.
Even before my Medicaid has expired, I started actively looking for the ways to buy a REALLY AFFORDABLE personal health insurance for myself. To make it clear, for me “affordable” — means under $75 per month, not more that $2000 deductible and normal coverage — not the one a rich guy will have of course, but not the one that is only good enough to cover a cost of one blood sample withdrawal either, if you know what I mean. I’m also taking 1 prescription medication permanently twice per day non-stop. Yeah, I know: it seems unrealistic, yadi-yada-yada, where the heck have I seen such conditions, BS, no way on Earth, in your dreams, you wish, wake up, what are you naive or stupid, like hell you will find a coverage, it’s easier to move to Canada — all that pile of hogwash I’ve been listening to for a couple of days from like everywhere… šŸ™‚ šŸ™‚ šŸ™‚ Again the crowd of agents — so funny how their attitude changes from welcoming and friendly to rude and irritated when you tell them from the very start what you want and at once firmly refuse their ‘oh-so-awesome’ $450 per month coverage with $8000 deductible — and even more funny how they angrily assure that my desired coverage doesn’t exist… Well, that’s a shameless LIE — it exists and I’m covered with such a plan. Here’s my insurance premium statement:
Ā 
Just as the first time, I’ve searched for at www.healthcare.gov directly. That’s exactly how the steps of obtaining my individual health coverage looked like — mo more no less, you decide if it was hard and if it was worth it.
  • Filled in the application
  • Answered some questions and mailed in some documents
  • Decided on my preferred Plan
  • Received my paperwork and paid my first premium.
  • Received my insurance and pharmacy cards

As a result, I’m paying $1.32 per month (one dollar thirty two cents), my deductible is $600 maximum per year, my prescription medications are $5 each, my ER visit — $200, health provider visit — $35, specialist visit — $75, general health care like annual visits or vaccinations included in the cost. No dental or vision coverage though. BINGO.

I’m happy as an Easter Bunny with my plan and since I’m a stay-at-home mom I can see only pure benefits from getting my insurance through The Affordable Care Act in my situation. And good luck trying to convince me that it’s a really bad program and it doesn’t work — it worked for me and it will work for the cases alike: low income individuals and families, the once facing certain life and financial hardships, etc. I know it gets more complicated as your income gets higher unfortunately and that is a shame. Oh yeah, one more thing — I do have a chronic pre-existing medical condition, for those the most skeptical critics to know… šŸ™‚ WHERE IS A WILL, THERE IS A WAY.

There are 4 ways to apply for coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace:
  1. Apply online. Visit this page and select your state to get started.
  2. Apply by phone. Call 1-800-318-2596 to apply for a health insurance plan and enroll over the phone.
  3. Apply in person.
  4. Apply by mail.

Apply for Health Insurance | HealthCare.gov

HOSPITAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

This is again an option my health provider offers but I’m positively sure that the other hospitals and clinics have something of this kind also! My doctor kindly recommended me to pay some close attention to this program when I shared with him my worries about my Medicaid expiring and my doubts that I could afford buying a health insurance on my low income. Guys, I will repeat it again (and no, I’m not tired of repeating that! šŸ™‚ ) — never be afraid to ask questions and seek help!!! Following information is taken from Essentia Health website.

Essentia Health is dedicated to making a healthy difference in people’s lives.Ā In fulfilling our mission, we offer financialĀ  assistance to our patients whose insurance coverage and/or ability to pay their medical bills is limited.

Essentia Health’s Financial Assistance Program provides a discount on bills for medically necessary care. The program may cover current and outstanding bills ā€“ up to 36 months prior to the enrollment in the program ā€“ and may remain in effect for 12 months after enrollment.

You may qualify for financial assistance when:

  • You are uninsured.
  • Your insurance policy does not provide full coverage forĀ medically necessaryĀ care.
  • You have substantial out-of-pocket expenses and are unable to manage your medical bills.

To determine if you would be eligible for one of our Financial Assistance Programs, you will need to complete aĀ Financial Assistance ApplicationĀ (PDF) and provide all the necessary documentation that is required.Ā Please click here for the Spanish Version of the Financial Assistance ApplicationĀ (PDF)

  • You may be eligible for a 100% discount if your household income is below 160% of the Federal Poverty Income guidelines.
  • You may be eligible for a 75% discount if your household income is less than 225% of the Federal Poverty Income guidelines.
  • You may be eligible for a 50% discount if your household income is less than 310% of the Federal Poverty Income guidelines.
  • Please see Income GuidelinesĀ (PDF)
  • If your income is above 310% of the Federal Poverty Income guidelines and your medical bills exceed 20% of your annualized income, you may also apply for a catastrophic discount. This program is limited to one episode of care which includes any subsequent medical treatment or services related to that same episode of care, or a series of ongoing medical service that are intended to treat a specific diagnosis. A Financial Assistance Application will need to be completed to be considered for this discount.

You can contact us for more information regarding the Financial Assistance Program.
Once we have reviewed a completed application, which includes the necessary documentation; within 30 days of receiving the completed application, our office will notify you of the determination by letter. Failure to provide a completed application will result in a denial.

The Financial Assistance Program is not an insurance program and does not cover:

  • Certain medical servicesĀ .
  • Retail services from pharmacies or optical shops, etc.
  • Services supplied by organizations that are not part of Essentia Health.

Learn more and apply:

Additional Resources

LIFE INSURANCE

I’ve obtained my own personal life insurance long time ago when I was financially stable and much more wealthy. Why? I don’t really know if it sounds strange to think about buying your life insurance when you are in your early 30th, but I’ve always been like that — I hate being in debt regardless what kinda debt, be it a financial, social or moral courtesy debt, I still hate it with the most passion I’m capable of. That’s just the way I am, sorry… šŸ™‚ So it makes it easier to understand why I didn’t wanna be in debt in case of my death — being a heavy burden to my relatives made me feel like I would own them even laying in my coffin… Ā šŸ™‚ I’m trying to make it look a bit more cheerful, but putting it straight you really don’t want your family to take huge personal loans to pay for your funeral. I also wanted my mother to get something if I die just as a little support I wouldn’t be able to give her then, not to seem a good daughter, but just out of normal human gratitude for bringing me to this World and raising me…

Somehow it happened – maybe intuitively I suppose – that I kept making my payments even though I’ve lost my financial stability and my comfortable household income and without any excessive modesty I can tell you that I’m darn proud of myself for doing so!!! Now when I have a pretty good amount of coverage after a couple of years of 100% on-time payments, whatever happens to me I can be sure that my little son will have money for living or education and he won’t be taken to Foster Care, won’t be a homeless hungry child. And again — I’m proud of myself for taking care of that. Period.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS SAVING RULES

It doesn’t take a scientist to figure out that keeping yourself healthy saves money. Indeed, it is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it, that’s why it’s so important to preserve your immune system. People maintaining a healthy lifestyle are much less likely to get sick and I feel much better than those who don’t pay enough attention to their health. And of course it’s smarter to invest some money into supporting your good health than to pay dozens of times more for medical treatment instead.

A little bit of an explanation here: I am far from being a fan of that particular ‘healthy lifestyle’ associated with endless hard workouts, daily exercises, horrible calories counting. I don’t consider life being useless without jogging, having a fitness tracker and owning a gym membership. I hate cardio and push ups don’t make me feel energized and robust, on the contrary. For me such a lifestyle is approximately equal to tortures in hell, sorry about that – I’m not perfect, far from it. šŸ™‚ I’m not competitive at all and hardly ever have a sportive team spirit and I’ve never bought a gym membership in my entire life. I enjoy eating tasty food and desserts, having a drink with my friends and relaxing. And I will always prefer laying on my couch to running. šŸ™‚ So if you need a fitness advice or like superhealthy diet idea, I can’t provide one.

Most of the people think that staying healthy without too much effort is complicated or even unrealistic, but it’sĀ  actually very simple. Here are some unsophisticated rules that will help to maintain your health and well-being for years to come.

RuleĀ  #1: Movement is life. No matter how you move, it is important that you move in principle. Exercising or walking, fitness or just doing chores and playing with the kids, heavy cardio workout or calm relaxed yoga ā€“ all of the above make a great way to keep yourself in a good shape. If exercising regularly is not for you, even a simple daily walk out in the fresh air at least half an hour a day will do. Hiking is not less useful to the body than, for example, morning exercises and daily chores easily replace a heck of a workout!


Rule # 2: Positive thinking. Scientists have proved that happy people live longer than unhappy and much less likely to get sick. We create our own mood and choose to be offended, get angry or frustrated with something not either worthy of being noticed, or impossible to be changed. Try to focus on the joyful moments of your life and pay attention to some nice things. Before going to bed remember what good happened to you during the day. Always think about your friends and ignore enemies, have more love and less hatred in your heart and mind.


Rule # 3: Water is a source of health. Drink 8 glasses of pure water daily and your body will work like a Swiss watch. Don’t forget that tea and coffee dehydrate your body, so you’re a huge fan of drinking those it makes it necessary to drink even more water.


Rule # 4: Proper nutrition. Include a lot of fruits and vegetables into your daily menu. They contain fiber which helps the body remove toxins. Don’t eat before sleep, at night your body needs to rest and not to digest.Ā Do not overeat: one meal should fit in your two palms. This is the normal size of a portion. Anything more than that would be a detriment. Stay away from refined sugar. Replace it with some useful additives such as honey, stevia, agave or maple syrup.


Rule #5: Say no to vitamin deficiency. Set for a rule taking a full course of vitamins after each winter. In spring our body needs extra immune support too. A good immune system is your guarantee of health.


Rule #6: Strong and healthy sleep. Do not neglect the need to sleep well. During sleep stress fades away and your body’s defenses restore. A minimum of eight hours of sleep ā€“ and you’ll always feel refreshed, full of strength and energy!

Hope you all stay at the corner of happy and healthy to save enough energy to start building your own high life on a low income and enjoy it to the fullest! Good luck.