I as a general rule try not to think too far in advance, I used to and that wasn't so healthy for me. This time though I kind of need to think ahead. There is a lot of stuff swirling around and I honestly am not sure how it will all play out.
Work: Any regular readers of this blog (do I have those?) know that I HATE my job. I didn't want to go back after my maternity leave, etc etc. However, I do get paid pretty well and we have health insurance through my work. I have flexible hours and can make my own schedule, yeah I know I shouldn't complain. Well, on Friday I was informed that at any time in the next 14-16 months, I will be out of a job and thus lose our health insurance. I can't really go in to details. All I know is I could be out of work in 3 months or 16 months...kind of hard to plan for that.
Here is what makes it even more interesting...
Adoption: We have been waiting almost 7 months for our son. We expect to be waiting at least another 12-14 months or so could be longer than that. The plan was after we travelled to bring him home, I would no longer work outside the home. I would be a SAHM as the cost of daycare would be more than I would bring home at my current job.
Health insurance: I am CLUELESS about how to obtain private health insurance. We have some obstacles facing us in that department. I don't really know how the new healthcare laws will affect us. They in theory would make it easier for us but I am not sure the pieces we are concerned about will be in effect in time to benefit us. We have some pre-exsisting condition issues for my hubby and for Kiya. That could pose a very expensive problem.
So what to do? That is a very good question. I feel like we have limited options.
Ride it out: This is my ideal choice. We find no sub leasers for the business and can just ride out the lease. This gets me VERY close to being united with my son at which time I was going to stop working anyway.
Find a new job: I could start the job search process. ICK! I am not excited about that prospect and I know in my head that I will likely be at that job for maybe 2 years. I am checking a few ideal places for some ideal jobs to see if they may pop up between now and then but for now I am not committed to job searching.
Find health insurance: The ideal here would be for my husband's company to offer health insurance. If you see pigs flying, then that might actually happen. Otherwise not likely. So on to private insurance...UGHHH. I was dreading dealing with that a year and half from now but so soon.
The worst part is I have no idea when I could lose my job. I know it will be gone by October of 2011 but it could be gone much sooner than that. How do you plan for this? I have no idea. Right now I am in denial that I will have to get another job. I am holding on to the riding it out option and our adoption not taking more than another 14 months or so for referral anyway. Am I crazy, maybe? Could it work this way? Yes. Could it all come crashing down on me in the next 3 months? Yup.
Wish me luck. The road ahead is looking a little bumpy.
5 comments:
That is hard. Unknowns are difficult but the health insurance issue sounds difficult too. But usually things are scary when we don't know what to expect. So maybe research the heck out of private insurance and at least know what you are up against. You may find an option that works for your family and then you will be prepared for when the big job-loss happens. I wish you could just quit and be home with Kiya right now. But I know life is not always that easy. Good luck! I will pray that it all works out for you and that you know which path to head down.
That is terrible Cathy. The company has put you in a terrible position. Maybe research private so you know your options and ride out the position for as long as you can. The great thing is no matter what you planned on staying home eventually...maybe you will just start sooner then expected.
I wish you all the best!
Ick. That's sucks. Sorry to hear it. But maybe it'll motivate you to figure out a way to stay home with Kiya even sooner??? Perhaps you can be a barista at Starbucks in the evenings... don't they give their employees health insurance?!?! Crossing my fingers something works out!
I know its scary, but this news actually really excites me. I sense big changes and a lot of happiness around the corner for you cathy. Things have a way of working out the way you need them too - just have faith! The journey might get bumpy, but the destination will be awesome :)
Ok, I was wondering what was going on after reading one of your posts on facebook. So now I know. And I hear you! Private insurance with pre-existing conditions is frightening. But we do it. So here is my advice:
1. Start saving money for Cobra. Cobra is insurance extension that functions the same as your current insurance. You will pay much more for it than you pay through your job but it keeps you on the same plan. It used to last for 18 months following a job loss. I think the new reform made it longer. So you will be covered through that if you can afford it.
2. Look at your state subsidized private coverage for your hubby and Kiya's conditions. Jer is covered by Cover Colorado for his diabetes and the monthly cost of his insurance is less than mine on Assurant because it is subsidized. Same for Derartu!
3. Look into plans offered by your local children's hospital for Kiya. May be that you can enroll her on something there based on her pre-existing condition.
4. My understanding is that starting in September no private insurance can deny you or drop you based on pre-existing conditions!
Finally, SAVE money. Private insurance is expensive. The Cobra coverage cost us $750/month. When our 18 months expired we moved to individual private plans that aren't as great as the original group plan under Jer's employer but cost less. About $250/mo for me, $220/mo for Jer and D's is still up in the air but probably around $150/month. Her meds are all subsidized by a state assistance program...
Hope that helps!
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