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Tobin S.

(10,418 posts) Sat Mar 31, 2012, 03:20 PM Mar 2012

I just about got screwed over at work regarding my health insurance.

I had to wait a damn year to get health insurance from my employer. Normally, I would not have done that, but everything else about the job was exactly what I needed at the time. I also had a COBRA policy that wasn't too expensive that covered me until the end of last year. I bought a cheap bridge policy to cover possible major medical expenses for the last two months.

I had my year in on 3/21/12. The first thing I did at work was ask my boss about my health insurance. He said they'd send the information to him shortly. I didn't hear anything from him and it was beginning to piss me off. I had waited a year for this when other employers would have had me covered in 90 days. I should have had the application in hand right on my anniversary day- not a year and a month or a year and a week or even a year and a day. I've held up my end of the deal and I've done a good job for them.

I asked my boss about it again yesterday. He said he would check on it for me, but that sometimes it takes a little longer to get this done. I clocked out and went to the bank to deposit my check and while I was waiting in line I go a call from him. He said he needed me to come back to work immediately to fill out the insurance paperwork. If I didn't get it in by this morning I would have to wait another three months.

Somebody screwed up somewhere down the line and basically forgot about me. I was thinking lawsuit if I would have had to wait another three months. I don't know if it would have been worth it, but I might have done it just out of spite.

9 replies

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I just about got screwed over at work regarding my health insurance. (Original Post) Tobin S. Mar 2012 OP

Good thing you stayed on it, my dear Tobin! CaliforniaPeggy Mar 2012 #1

Yeah, I kind of felt like a second class employee there Tobin S. Mar 2012 #2

I'm sure you did feel that way... CaliforniaPeggy Mar 2012 #3

Wow, like a one year wait isn't insane!!! Curmudgeoness Mar 2012 #4

Thank you, but I do need the insurance now Tobin S. Mar 2012 #5

I don't blame you for being pissed. Curmudgeoness Mar 2012 #6

The person to blame for dropping the ball is your HR director. TexasTowelie Mar 2012 #7

I hope that I don't but it is kind of my own fault Nikia Mar 2012 #8

I'm glad you have insurance now lunatica Mar 2012 #9

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,620 posts)

1. Good thing you stayed on it, my dear Tobin!

Reply to Tobin S. (Original post)

Sat Mar 31, 2012, 03:29 PM

Mar 2012

I'm really glad you didn't need to file a lawsuit! That might have made working there a bit difficult...

And your boss didn't drop the ball, at the last.

It's a damnable business, this health insurance stuff.

Hang in there!

Tobin S.

(10,418 posts)

2. Yeah, I kind of felt like a second class employee there

Reply to CaliforniaPeggy (Reply #1)

Sat Mar 31, 2012, 03:41 PM

Mar 2012

The fact that not only did I put in all of that time and they didn't get right to me, but actually forgot!

I'll be glad if it turns out that I won't have to worry about stuff like this anymore.

CaliforniaPeggy

(149,620 posts)

3. I'm sure you did feel that way...

Reply to Tobin S. (Reply #2)

Sat Mar 31, 2012, 03:44 PM

Mar 2012

You hustle, and for what?

I'm glad your boss didn't drop the ball. Well, eventually!

It's times like this one when I think that single payer would have been so much better.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)

4. Wow, like a one year wait isn't insane!!!

Reply to Tobin S. (Original post)

Sat Mar 31, 2012, 03:45 PM

Mar 2012

I am so glad that you did get everything done in time, but that is unacceptable. Oh well, all is well now.....wishes of good health and that you will never need to use this insurance!

Tobin S.

(10,418 posts)

5. Thank you, but I do need the insurance now

Reply to Curmudgeoness (Reply #4)

Sat Mar 31, 2012, 03:52 PM

Mar 2012

That's a part of the reason why I was so pissed off about this.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)

6. I don't blame you for being pissed.

Reply to Tobin S. (Reply #5)

Sat Mar 31, 2012, 04:26 PM

Mar 2012

I hope it isn't anything serious.

TexasTowelie

(112,189 posts)

7. The person to blame for dropping the ball is your HR director.

Reply to Tobin S. (Original post)

Sat Mar 31, 2012, 04:27 PM

Mar 2012

I'd talk to that person next week to get an explanation. If you aren't satisfied with their response, then go over the director's head and speak to a company officer (even the CEO, depending on the size of the company). You might want to have written documentation placed in your personnel file anyway to show that your HR department is lax--it might become useful in the future if they drop the ball on other issues later. Make certain that your performance evaluations are also completed in a timely manner.

Needless to say, the company saves money by not paying their portion of the premium for you and your dependents.

Nikia

(11,411 posts)

8. I hope that I don't but it is kind of my own fault

Reply to Tobin S. (Original post)

Sat Mar 31, 2012, 09:42 PM

Mar 2012

I waited until the last minute to fill out my benefits election online. Part of the problem was that I forgot that I had a special username and had to rerequest it when I was going to fill it in. In retrospect I feel stupid about procrastinating about it because it took less than 15 minutes. I am sort of surprised that no one reminded me about it because technically I had to deny wanting insurance to not get it either.
I have "Badger Care"the state supported health insurance in Wisconsin, which I am still eligible for because of my income and family size. I do want to be a responsible taxpayer and stop "mooching" off the government though. I am not criticizing anyone who is eligible for work offered insurance who is eligible for government subsidized insurance. I just feel that my temporary economic hardship has passed and I rather that money go to someone experiencing a greater economic hardship than my family and I.

lunatica

(53,410 posts)

9. I'm glad you have insurance now

Reply to Tobin S. (Original post)

Sat Mar 31, 2012, 10:19 PM

Mar 2012

Now you know your boss is forgetful about important things. Don't let this make you feel that he doesn't like your work. Just make sure you take care of the important things and don't wait for him to do it.

But to have to wait for a year really is enough to try anyone's patience. Especially when you need the medical coverage.

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