Em/Skyward 💐🌺

Oh jeez I hope it went okay and you're feeling alright! I will drape you in many cats to speed your healing.

Heh. I've had one or two doctors react like that. Specifically, recently, my neuro, for a procedure we applied for *four times* that had no business getting denied. The office staff was so truly indignant on my behalf, it was really sweet!

That said: the ol' insurance runaround sucks. Luck.

By the way, thank you very much for this ping! Yall have been so helpful and I'm truly so grateful!

Spreadsheets... my worst nightmare. Alas. Here I come, Google Sheets.

I'm genuinely unsure what insurance agent I'd have--wait! ACA has local reps, right? I believe that's who I'd need to talk to. I've just got to find my local office. Ok, that's also on the to do list.

I wish I could do something to thank you for your help! You've saved me hours of phone calls and headaches!

The actual allowed amounts... so the non-subsidized amounts, basically. Will do. That way I can at least figure out how much of a price gap there may be between my COBRA and a non-subsidized ACA plan.

If I have further questions, do you mind if I contact you? You've been so wonderfully helpful.

That's the plan! I'm otherwise just keeping an eye on The Conflagration That Is Our Government basically waiting to see if it's safe to pull the trigger. I have the info I need to shop for the appropriate plan--the subsidies are the only hurdle.

Really? So I could continue to elect to take it through Nov/Dec, and take a marketplace plan in Jan if necessary?

That's a huge help! That's not my ideal--I'd really like to switch sooner, but the risk of subsidies going poof is just too great to risk financially.

Anyway healthcare in this country is a nightmare. Thank you very much for helping me with my questions by the by, it is exceedingly kind!

Which to my understanding would far surpass January.

Also, are you quite sure I could wait until January to elect into a marketplace plan? I remember when I was doing my research about COBRA that you only have a 60 day period to elect to take it. If you elect into it after that window, you're locked in for a specific term of time.

If I got a subsidized plan for, idfk, $400/mo or smn on the marketplace, but the government continues to burn down and subsidies disappear and suddenly I'm paying $2000/mo...

Is it wiser to just wait it out?

Yeah. I guess, in sum, what would you do in my shoes? Stick with COBRA, which is expensive but stable, or risk the marketplace subsidies which could go away? That's the dilemma I'm in right now, primarily.

Oh man I'm tired. To clarify: will this three digit ACA plan jump to four digits. COBRA I know I would be able to lock in until a fixed date in 2026.

I have a very good idea of my medical costs, needs, provider network, etc. I am a professional chronically ill person, lmao. It's more about: Will this three digit plan suddenly jump to four digits if the govt shits the bed (which we all know it's likely to)?

More than anything, my concern with going on the marketplace is I would qualify for subsidies I am worried will go away, and if I elect a marketplace plan over COBRA I will not be able to go back. I just have no idea how to proceed.

Partly my concern is: 1) COBRA gives a 60 day grace period after which you're locked in, but conveniently that 60 day grace period ends Oct 31st, which I guess would allow me into open enrollment? Or would I be locked in?

My concern is I'd be comparing it to a plan where I'd DEFINITELY qualify for subsidies that may go away, and I have until Oct 31st to switch out of the 60 day grace period COBRA gives you before you're locked in.

My COBRA is a continuation of my employers healthcare, which is United Healthcare, which is .................... fine. yk. I'll have to dig up my plan info and see exactly the out of pocket max/premium/deductibles.

This is, unfortunately, exactly the problem and why I'm asking. I would need the subsidy. If I'm to assume it wouldn't exist, should I then assume it would almost certainly be more expensive than my COBRA coverage?

How could I even find out before the govt shutdown is resolved?

@rahaeli.bsky.social not to ask you directly, but you seem so plugged into this stuff that if you know anyone who might be able or interested in giving advice I'd be most, most, most grateful.

I've really no idea who to ask. Things feel very up in the air rn.

Somewhat snarly insurance question:

At the end of this month I either have to commit to COBRA for a fixed period of time or switch to the ACA. With the gov the way it is...

Anyone know who might be good to talk to/have any guidance about best steps forward here?

Alas! One day my taylor ham prince will come.

Q: any recs for really good taylor ham in NNJ? I've, LITERALLY, never had it, and seriously want to learn what the hype is all about!!!

Is this the moment where I admit that even as a lifetime NJ native I've never understood the taylor ham thing, somehow, like ever?

pls don't revoke my nj residency I have no idea how I somehow never ever learned this despite living here most of my life

I totally get it. Completely. For my own reasons I am going Thru It rn. You have my empathy, and encouragement, and wishes for peace and healing, and I would really love to chat whenever you are feeling up to it. 🩷 thank you again for the resources. they have been SO helpful.

Would you mind messaging with me?? PLEASE feel free to like gently let me down here lol but I would just so love to chat about this!!! I can't believe I stumbled across this!!! I'm sure it sounds weird but I'm so happy right now 😭 I feel sooooo seen, lol

I absolutely will. I'm reading this DW post with stars in my eyes rn lol. My immunologist did explain it to me briefly but this is sooooo much information, I'm so happy!!! I'm not alooooone 😭😭😭

Oh I missed this whoops, ignore my other request for sources 😭 you're amazing, thank you so much!!!

I'd also love to hear about your own experience, if you're willing to share--only if you're comfortable, of course! I apologize for the enthusiasm, it's just sort of a relief to meet someone else who has this condition! I've never been able to discuss it before!