7/12/07 - Health Care Hurdles

Eva had an eye appointment this week, and the doctor determined that her eyes are responding to her new bifocal prescription, so once again we've managed to dodge surgery. I'm glad this was taken care of while we still had insurance. Trying to maneuver the health care system is a real drag. Our coverage officially ends 30 days after Dave's termination date. We thought about extending it with COBRA, but found out it would cost us over $700 per month. Even if we had income right now, we couldn’t possibly afford that. Besides, that wouldn't let us add a newborn baby who wasn't on the plan previously. For now, our only choice is to go on MediCal. Even if Dave started a new job today, it would be at least three months before he qualified for health benefits, and this baby is due in just three weeks.

I called my pediatrician’s office to ask what I'm supposed to do about those first newborn check-ups. She said they only accept Medical for previous patients (like Eva), not new patients (the baby). I have to personally show up at the local MediCal office and ask them to cover me immediately (by-passing the normal 45-day application process) because my due date is so close, and then sign up for the only MediCal insurance my pediatrician accepts: Community Health Group. By the time that goes through, the baby would be about two months old. How aggravating! If I was an illegal alien, I could just show up at the local clinic or emergency room and not have to pay or verify a thing. But because I'm a law-abiding, taxpaying American citizen, I have to run the gauntlet of endless paperwork and requirements (including a signed letter from my midwife to prove that I'm actually pregnant, because apparently a huge, stretch-marked belly doesn’t count), hoping that someone, somewhere, would be willing to see my newborn baby without sending me a hefty bill.

I was sharing my concerns with my midwife, and she assured me my baby would get the proper care. Not only does she stay with us for at least two hours after the birth to monitor our condition, she does a follow-up home visit a few days later. She also offers newborn check-ups at two, four and six weeks in her office, at no additional charge. That's such a load off my mind, I can't even tell you! If I hadn't chosen a homebirth and already pre-paid a midwife for all her services, I'd really be in a fix right now! I wish medical insurance was more like auto insurance: you'd buy it yourself without having it tied to your employer (which limits your choices to whatever crappy plans they choose, anyway). And then you'd get discounts for healthy habits and preventative care, and could choose what levels of coverage you wanted. And while I'm dreaming, how about a big lottery win?