So its been somewhat of a miserable week.
Between some happenings (which I'll delve into in a moment) and the stress of getting our place ready for showing as well as packing for Alaska its been a tough, tough week.
We were told that our tickets to Alaska were purchased two weeks ago.
We still haven't been given our itinerary. We may be leaving as early as tomorrow morning yet we haven't a clue.
And no one seems keen to tell us.
Now I fully understand cultural differences exist between here and there. I understand that time is not a priority in the Alaskan culture. They are very laid back and what happens happens. That said I'd still really like to know if I leave tomorrow or the next day. I'd also like to know how long my flights are and where we're flying and if we have a huge layover that we need to plan for.
I'd also like to know when I should start forwarding my mail.
When should I cancel my cable for? When should I cancel my car insurance for? Do we really start work on Monday? If so, do we land and go immediately to work or do we have a day or two to settle?
In the continued battle for health insurance Swell decided that she would, indeed, need to go the expensive route and activate her COBRA. Now for those of you who are foreign to the greatness that is the US health care system a relatively recent law was passed that made it illegal to deny someone who PREVIOUSLY had coverage through a job from extending their coverage after leaving said job. This is not permanent coverage but it is to act as interim insurance while said person finds a new job with benefits (remember that most jobs require a few months of work before you can get insurance).
When Swell quit her job she was asked by the lady who is in charge of insurance, etc whether she would need COBRA or not. Swell said No, as she hoped to get something cheaper.
Swell was unable to get something cheaper.
She phoned the insurance agency to find out if she could still activate her COBRA.
They said, "Yes, but your employer needs to fill out some paperwork and then we'll send you an application and you'll owe us back payments from the time you ended your job until the day your coverage starts."
Swell said: "OK." and emailed her previous job saying that she does, now, need COBRA and would like them to fill out the paper work.
She received an email back indicating, and I quote, "I had [insurance lady] check with [insurance company] and they said that you needed to start COBRA right away and that it is too late to add you on now."
To which Swell replied: "Thanks for checking on the insurance for me. I was not aware of that. When I called them they told me it was not too late, but that I have 60 days to apply for COBRA after the paperwork gets started from my employer. I guess I give them a call again."
She then phoned the insurance company again where the reiterated that it was not, in fact too late. They indicated that you have only 60 days to enroll once they mail out the application. If you wait more than that you are no longer eligible. They also mentioned that they did not mail out the application because they did not receive the paperwork from the previous employer.
Swell then sent another email to her employer and copied to the insurance lady telling them that she talked to the insurance agency again and that they indicated that it wasn't too late. She further wrote:
"This is the way it works: you as the employer are supposed to fill out a "Cobra Notifications Form" and fax it to them. After the Cobra Notification Form has been received by the insurance, they will mail me an enrollment package and I have 60 days to finish the process. In their system, this form has not yet been submitted, therefore it is not too late... [removed insurance company contact information]...Getting COBRA seems to by my ONLY option at having health insurance, as I was denied when I applied for Individual coverage (and it took this long to get an answer from them). We are leaving for Alaska in a few days and I would appreciate the process getting started ASAP. :)
Thanks"
To which she received this surprising and very funny email response:
"Sorry to see the Alaskan cold has effected your memory. When you were leaving I personally asked you what you wanted to do about your health insurance, since I was requesting COBRA for [another employee]. You said you would get your own policy because COBRA would be to expensive. I don't have any problem requesting COBRA for you but don't quote me chapter and verse as to how the plan works, I am fully aware of how it operates. My mistake for not having your refusal in writing, didn't think I needed it from you 'WRONG'"
Now I was shocked at the email but found it kind of funny. Swell on the other hand was devastated. Cried. And couldn't stop thinking about it... and still hasn't.
Now upon seeing said email we thought of a million things we could say back but chose to apologize and thank the insurance lady for now getting the process started. We also decided to delve a little further into the world of COBRA insurance.
Now the main thing that popped out was that BY LAW the employer MUST fill out the form the Swell is requesting is filled out EVEN IF the employee indicates that they do not expect to need or want COBRA coverage. This is to be done within 30 days of the employees "qualifying even" (i.e. leaving the job).
We chose not to impart this piece of information to the insurance lady.
Another reason to leave Atlanta as fast as possible. The meanest people live here.
We were finally able to get our place cleaned up quite well. We were expecting a phone call all last week from our realtor to set up an appointment for document signing and a decision on price.
Phone call never occurred.
I called them.
They called back and said someone would phone us yesterday to set up an appointment for today at which time the documents would be available for signing.
No phone call.
Person phoned this morning and came and took pictures.
Still no decision on price or documents signed.
Regretting choosing this realtor.
They better redeem themselves quickly or there will be no soup for them!
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