(NO) Health Insurance

[PattySwind]

I just got divorced and had to go back to work full time. I work retail (hate it) and in order to get health benefits I have to work at least 30 hours. I have two night shifts a week so my week is 32-34 hours. I have a few health issues (fatigue, I suspect fibromyalgia and mild depression) and the night shifts are too much for me. Long story short... I'm thinking of cutting the night shifts and giving up the benefits. I'll still make enough money to get by, just no insurance. How many of you go without health insurance and don't constantly worry about it? I went without insurance for many,many years but got used to having it while I was married. All the working hours are wiping me out and I come home and get into bed after work cause I'm so exhausted. I don't want to live like this. Just looking for options/opinions/or whatever....

Patty

 

[SandrA9810]

Now that you have a job, it would be the best time to be looking for a better job. There's plenty of other retail jobs that don't require 30 hours, some are as low as 20-24hrs a week to get benefits.

Have you at least looked into catastrophic insurance? The kind that really only covers you if you wind up in the hospital. Depending on your coverage, you might be just as well off going to those clinics, and there's pretty much a generic medicine for everything on those $4 lists.

 

[nicki.momof3]

I have a few health issues (fatigue, I suspect fibromyalgia and mild depression) :

Patty

I personally would not want to go without health insurance. You stated in your post that you suspect some health issue - even more reason to have insurance. One major illness can financially ruin a person / fa mily without insurance.

I would personally keep the hours you have and the insurance and put the insurance to use and see a doctor. A reasonably heathy adult should be able to work 32-34 hours a week without being exhausted. Maybe there is a medical reason behind the tiredness.

Better same than sorry - I would see a doctor

Hope you feel better

 

[ThreeBeans]

Truthfully, I think it's a terrible idea. No one can 'afford' to be without health insurance...particularly financially struggling single adults with health problems....

 

[kidzmom3]

I would suggest (if you live in MA) go to your nearest non-profit hospital and ask for the financial counseling office. They will help you fill out the application that covers MCD HSN and Connector plans. You may qualify for coverage, for assistance in covering the premiums on your current plan or you may not. Its worth it to find out.

 

[RachaelA]

Starbucks is 20 hours a week for insurance (at least it was as of last year when I stopped working there).

I would never go without insurance. That is just asking for something to happen to you. (because we all know as soon as you don't have something then you need it).

 

[Pakey]

I was very healthy all of my life. Then 5 years ago, I was not. I can't imagine what my life would be without health insurance.

I was a working single parent for years; you do what you have to do.

 

[ThreeBeans]

Here's a Cautionary True Tale (TM) for your digestion. I was in my early 20s and was going to have a 4 week lapse in my coverage due to a job change. I was young, healthy, figured I'd be fine.

DH, who was merely my boyfriend at the time, thought it was a lousy idea. Our state had recently introduced rulings about companies offering domestic partnership insurance to cover all the couples who could not be legally married and otherwise have 'family insurance'. We signed up. Yes, this may have been borderline unethical, but we were young, dumb and selfish. We made up for it later

Anyhow, ten days into what would have been a four week hiatus from coverage, I got deathly ill, had to be hospitalized and have emergency surgery, and stay in hospital for five days. Eleven thousand dollars later...well, let's just say I'm awfully glad I had insurance

Later, we legalized equal marriage rights for all and the domestic partnership ruling about health insurance went away. And I've since donated time and money to various related charities to make up for taking advantage of a loophole.

 

[minkydog]

I just got divorced and had to go back to work full time. I work retail (hate it) and in order to get health benefits I have to work at least 30 hours. I have two night shifts a week so my week is 32-34 hours. I have a few health issues (fatigue, I suspect fibromyalgia and mild depression) and the night shifts are too much for me. Long story short... I'm thinking of cutting the night shifts and giving up the benefits. I'll still make enough money to get by, just no insurance. How many of you go without health insurance and don't constantly worry about it? I went without insurance for many,many years but got used to having it while I was married. All the working hours are wiping me out and I come home and get into bed after work cause I'm so exhausted. I don't want to live like this. Just looking for options/opinions/or whatever....

Patty

I would not let go of the insurance, period. Especially if you're having symptoms of fibromyalgia, depression, and fatigue. Those illnesses mimic a lot of other illnesses. Rather than giving up the insurance, maybe you need to see your doctor to find out what's going on. Perhaps you need some medication or therapy to help you through this difficult time. That may just take care of some of the pain and fatigue, not to mention depression.

Night shift is hard. I worked nights for 25+ years(my choice). but it was never easy. If you can't adjust, you're going to have to get off the night shift. Instead of cutting your hours, why not see if you can keep the hours but do them during the day or evening. Maybe that wouldn't be so exhausting. And in the meantime, you can look for another job if you really want to. But don't give up the insurance! One single trip to the ER for a back injury can run hundreds-to-thousands of dollars. We had a wreck last year and just the CT scans on ONE CHILD were over $10,000 Our total medical bill was over $50,000.

 

[Allison]

I would not give up health insurance especially if you have health issues.

 

[Disney Doll]

If you have health issues, it is wise to have health insurance. If your current job is not to your liking for whatever the reason, then I would look for a new job that would have more feasible hours.

But it is easier to find a job when you have a job.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Truthfully, I think it's a terrible idea. No one can 'afford' to be without health insurance...particularly financially struggling single adults with health problems....

Please don't give up health insurance.

Go without other things & keep your insurance.

 

[rchristiansen]

I would not give up health insurance especially if you have health issues.

Do NOT give up health insurance! One visit to the emergency room could bankrupt you. In addition, by not having health insurance you are at risk for health problems in the future, because those without health insurance tend to not visit their physicians for preventative medicine.

How many of you go without health insurance and don't constantly worry about it?

We do have health insurance and I constantly worry about it. Recently we changed policies (premium is twice as much) but I don't worry as much because a number of things are covered under this new policy. Also, if you have any health problems and you apply for insurance in the future after not having it, then you will have very high premiums. In the past, you actually could have been DENIED the insurance, but due to the new health reform laws, that has been changed (thank goodness). But for example, our policy went up about $50/month just due to my daughter's Asthma.

See what your state offers for medicaid. In our state (I think it's changing now) you can actually have a salary above certain levels to qualify for very low premiums.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I just got divorced and had to go back to work full time. I work retail (hate it) and in order to get health benefits I have to work at least 30 hours. I have two night shifts a week so my week is 32-34 hours. I have a few health issues (fatigue, I suspect fibromyalgia and mild depression) and the night shifts are too much for me. Long story short... I'm thinking of cutting the night shifts and giving up the benefits. I'll still make enough money to get by, just no insurance. How many of you go without health insurance and don't constantly worry about it? I went without insurance for many,many years but got used to having it while I was married. All the working hours are wiping me out and I come home and get into bed after work cause I'm so exhausted. I don't want to live like this. Just looking for options/opinions/or whatever....

Patty

Patty
First off You sound overwhelmed, exhausted, not feeling well and maybe some depression.
Its such a difficult time for you and I hope you'll heed to some of the advice you are seeking.
You really need that insurance, especially if you are not feeling well already.
Please consider looking for something else, while you have this job...some require less hours, you'll feel better mentally at least not doing the nights and you can get that insurance too.
I just want to wish you the very best, hang in there, things will turn for the better for you. I'm rooting for you! I hope you will reach out to any friend or family and ask for some help, not necessarily financial, but just to "listen" ...we are also here for you on the DIs....sending some PIXIE dust your way

 

[low-key]

everyone is made different, but they would have to take me out on a stretcher before I willing give up health benefits

 

[Jen414]

I agree with other posters from above. Health insurance is not something that you can ever let lapse. That mistake can be too costly. My daughter was in a snow-tubing accident last winter. From the ambulance ride to all the tests, one night in the hospital and follow-ups with the specialists---it came to $25,000!!!!! I think I actually paid under $100 out of pocket. If this job isn't right for you, find something else, but don't let your health insurance lapse.

 

[maelstrom]

See if you might be eligible for something low-cost from the state.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

How long have you been at this retail job? One thing to remember is that working retail can be exhausting, especially when you first start. You're probably on your feet your entire shift, and you may be doing a lot of physical things like lifting or pushing things. It can often take several weeks to build up endurance to this type of work.

I am a teacher and at the beginning of every school year I am worn out at the end of the day for the first few weeks at least as I get used to working full days again after two months off.

From your wording in the OP it sounds like you've been at this job a very short time. I would consider giving it some more time before you make any big decisions like this. I'd also consider asking if there was a way to rearrange your schedule with the same work hours. I would not get rid of health insurance, particularly since you say you have health issues.

 

[graygables]

As someone who lived for years without health insurance and now has it (and needed it this year), I can say that I don't believe I will ever put myself in that position again, even if it is a crappy retail job that wears me out. My current medical bills for the year total $60,000. That's half a house and in some areas, almost a whole one.

Also, once you have a pre-existing condition, self-pay insurance is off the charts expensive if you can even get it.

I would stick with the current job in the current economy and pay your doctor a visit to get an official diagnosis. You could be Vit D deficient or have an iron deficiency causing fatigue (BTDT as part of my medical challenges this year).

 

[PattySwind]

wow, lots of feedback. Thanks!
I've been at this job for 7 months. There is no more day shifts available for me. I wish, but it's not going to happen.
As far as looking for another job, it's going to be the same situation wherever I go. I will always be lethargic and tired, no matter what job I'm at. I'm lucky this store hasn't fired me yet. My head is in the clouds and I don't know if I'm coming or going and sometimes I don't even know what day it is. I have a lot of memory issues due to early menopause and stress.I have a chronic problem with fatigue. I've had it for years. Been tested for everything imaginable. Nothing ever shows up. I worked tonight and barely made it. By 9pm I was done. I get very mentally fatigued. Kind of sounds like I'm drunk but I'm not. Hopefully I'll win the lottery. LOL. The thought of having to work and feel like I feel for the rest of my life doesn't give me much hope. It causes me to feel hopeless and sad.