Insurance

One of the benefits of our civil union is that I was able to join Spouse's terrific insurance.

Since becoming self-employed I was purchasing private health insurance which gave me minimal care with a high deductible.  Since Spouse is a State employee he has terrific health insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance.  Joining his plan costs a whole lot less and I'm getting far better coverage!

 

The 1st thing I did upon receiving my ID cards was schedule a long-overdue eye exam.  My eye doctor is close to my home and office and he advertises in the local gay publication.  Plus an acquaintance of mine works there.  So I got my eyes checked and ordered a year's worth of contact lenses which arrived the next day.

Shortly afterward I started having sinusitis symptoms so I took Claritan-D for a couple days.  It helped with the congestion part but my glans were still swollen and I just couldn't seem to clear my throat at times.  My previous doctor took a position at the hospital so I knew I'd need to find a new doctor if my symptoms didn't improve.  I asked Steven & Thad because they used to have the same doctor I had, and found they liked their new doctor.  I called his office in the morning and was able to get an appointment that afternoon.  I didn't know it at the time but I later found out my new doctor also advertises in the local gay publication.  Anyway, my co-pay was only $15 and my antibiotic perscription was only $3.87.  That's correct... $3.87 for a week's worth of antibiotics!!

All of this just underscored how important it is for people to have insurance.  Without it a doctor visit and perscription could easily be $200.  When people without insurance can't afford to pay out of pocket, they usually don't go to the doctor until they become so sick they have to go to the hospital, which winds up costing way more than if they just had insurance in the 1st place.  I certainly hope our government can find a way to make health insurance for everyone a reality.