Take two Quil and call me in the morning

Like many quarterlifers, and a disputed number of Americans, I went for many years without having health insurance. A few times a week I would think to myself “Boy, I hope I don’t break a leg/get cancer/lose an eye because I’ll be financially ruined.” It was only for a second, those few times a week, but it was constantly present.

Why didn’t I just go out and get health insurance? We’ll it wasn’t really that easy. I was on my parent’s plan through my first graduate program. As long as I was enrolled, they were willing to cover me even though I was past their “dependent” insurance age. Every semester I sauntered down to the registrars office to get a letter claiming I was enrolled and in good standing.

When I made the quarterlife decision to change paths, I lost that health care coverage under my parent’s plan. So I applied as an individual and was promptly rejected because of my height to weight ratio. Nothing makes you feel more like a loser than some form letter telling you you’re too fat for insurance. So I tried again, and with various other companies. No luck. So I went about my life praying I didn’t get sick or hurt.

And like so many others without health insurance, I got really good at the drugstore health plan. DayQuil and NyQuil for those times when I had a cold or flu, multi-vitamins to make sure I was staving off any viruses that like the weak, off-brand Zyrtec for allergy season, Mucinex for the after effects of allergy season, Delsym for the cough, and Ibuprofen for the headaches caused by cold/flu/allergy season. When I did get sick, I’d factor in a large bottle of orange juice and as much sleep as my schedule would allow.

This happened during a time when I was employed in a full time position. I’ve never had insurance through work. I’ve either worked at small companies or as a part time/seasonal college peon. I don’t necessarily think that a company should be forced to provide you health care, but there ought to be an affordable and effective alternative for those of use left out in the no-benefits rain. Oh wait, I think I remember hearing something about that in the news.

Currently, I’m considered a “casual” employee at my current retail position which continues my history of no benefits. So not much has changed really. I did find a provider to give me emergency coverage so that if I were to break a leg/get cancer/lose an eye I’d at least have a fighting chance at economic survival. Although, knowing the insurance industry, my coverage is probably as good at protecting me as any other safety blanket is at warding off boogey men.

I still have my corner drugstore health care plan and it gets me through the times when people with real insurance get to see a doctor. Plus, the premiums are low and the wait time is minimal.

A Half-Full Glass of Airborne

I’m sick. I get to write this laying in bed, drinking tea, and watching old seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on DVD. Regardless of this relaxing scenario, I’m torn on the whole sick issue. Feeling ill is one of the worst experiences ever. You aren’t yourself and nothing that you want to do can happen. I would rather be clear headed and focused on my homework. I would rather be running around eating fun and exciting breakfasts at my local greasy spoon or drinking my sugar free hazelnut soy extra-hot latte from the ‘Bux. However, my body has taken a leave of absence and requires that I lay around like deadly sin number 4.

So I ride the emotional roller coaster of illness; feeling momentarily joyous that I have an excuse to lay around and watch Buffy save the world over and over (sue me, she’s a kick ass role model) and experiment with my newest concoction of green pomegranate and raspberry sangria tea, and then facing the harsh reality that I have three classes worth of homework to do, some boning up on my new job training, food to buy for the week, music to study for my voice lesson, and, oh yeah, a blog post to write. [Read more]