Before you think I’m late in doing this because I’m a dodo bird- it’s not what it seems! Two months ago I called Regence and signed up for my new insurance plan over the phone. It took 90 minutes and I was so pleased with myself that I got it done early. I was on a special plan here in Oregon for those with preexisting conditions. This plan ended with Obama Care (thank heavens- choosing my own insurance is heaven!)
But.. why is there always a but when it comes to stuff that’s hard to do when you have bipolar? I just got the following call:
Regence: Ms. Fast? This is Shelly from Regence. I’m sorry, but there has been a mistake. I just got a memo from my manager that I’m not allowed to sign people up for the service over the phone. I’m sorry. I should have known this. You will have to go to the site and sign up yourself.
Julie: (Stunned! With the familiar feeling of dread that I would have to get online while dealing with a dysphoric hypomanic episode and sign up for insurance. I handled this well. I could tell she had been quite reprimanded and it took guts for her to call. I didn’t tell her the truth- could she handle it?)
Miss Shelly! Miss Shelly! Do you have ANY idea what a mess you have made of this? I have freaking bipolar disorder and dealing with forms and regulations in a rushed manner is not exactly my idea of a good time! I’m sick today and you will never understand how hard it was for me to stay on track and get my insurance well ahead of time like a good girl and now you’re telling me that I don’t have insurance! Are you kidding me? Thanks for making me more ill. I’m so upset!
Of course I didn’t say any of this. Mistakes happen, but here I am in 2014 without insurance. Guess what. I’ve decided to do the insurance right now and I’ll post how it goes. Maybe if you or a loved one hasn’t done their insurance yet- I can be an inspiration.
I want to do this as much as I want a root canal.
Here goes! I’ll be back. Please let it be a happy story!
Monday, 1/6/14 10 AM.
Julie
PS: I started to get anxious as soon as I went to the site. I’m going to do this today!
Yes, dealing with insurance is not much fun. I think all the insurance companies are at a bit of a loss as to how to deal with the complexities of Obamacare. If you have an issue and aren’t feeling comfortable calling your insurance company, you might consider having someone with you on speakerphone just to be there to help if you need it. If you need to, you can just give the company your information and then have your friend/mom/other loved one do all the talking! (That’s how it works at our house, but I’m the phone call talker, ha). I hope everything went smoothly for you today! 🙂
I just finished mine up as well! I took each step one a day-application then enrollment then a call to my current insurance to check on how to move over. The last part was the hardest by far…..I hate making phone calls and actually having to talk to a real person. But there was a huge sigh of relief when it was done. I was so proud of myself!
Yes, one of my triggers is deadlines and accuracy, for without the accuracy the
muck of daily living requirements can cause such a set back.
In December I received a letter to re apply for food stamps and filed the letter
in a place that was not left out to do.
now I’ve had to reapply, when I found the letter it was 12:30 a.m., Florida’s
dept of children and families web site was new , navigation was difficult.
I finished RE APPLYING FOR BENEFITS at 5:30 am.
Needless to say, it was a major hypo night and the loss of sleep damaged
my mood the next day.
I hate the roller coaster that is me everyday so much.
BP1 is a curse for my rebellious years as a teen, I’m sure! LOL