JenOni

#healthcaremarketplace

Single Mom Chronicles: Why Being Proud Is Not An Option?

ProudAccessPost

 

I have learned as a single mom who wears many hats being proud is not an option! You learn quickly that assistance may come in unexpected places.

When you experience job loss, it is not only significant due to a reduction in income but also the loss of healthcare after 30 days.   I never worried about coverage for myself but it is critical for my kids.   During my first layoff,  I applied for CHIP(Childrens Health Insurance Program) and was given a manageable premium for the first year and a $0 premium for the second year.

After losing my job this year, I was really concerned with having healthcare  to cover my DD’s asthma medication.   I also realized the medical plans offered through the Healthcare Marketplace were cost prohibitive.   Prior to termination of my employer benefits,  I applied for CHIP and when I called to check the status of my CHIP application I was surprised with the status.  My reduction in income met eligibility for state assistance for the three of us. State Assistance offers 4 plans in which you have to select before the deadline given otherwise the state will select your plan and PCP. It is simple to enroll either by mail or online. Also the state provides multiple reminders via phone to inform you on receipt of the enrollment form as well as the deadline to complete the enrollment form and return on or before the deadline.

Fortunately for me I was able to select a plan accepted by the kids’ pediatric group. The plan covers medical, dental and vision with no copays.    Our dental coverage is through the end of July with  Delta Dental.   I am hopeful this is short term  but nonetheless I am grateful.

I always felt receiving state assistance had a negative connotation however I am so over feeling proud.    Yes, we have yellow Access cards for medical, dental and vision coverage. Yes, I have one less thing to worry about in terms of my children’s healthcare.  I am grateful. 

The moral of this story is never be too proud to accept assistance for what you need for yourself and your child(ren).

Another morsel of information I learned from  mommy blogger, Muffy Mendoza over at Brown Mamas.   Some of the area museums offer discount admission with an ACCESS card.  Your admission is $2 per person up to four people. The  article from the Philadelphia Inquirer can be found here Museum Discount.

If you are in the city of Philadelphia and have an ACCESS card here are the institutions:

  • Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
  • African American Museum in Philadelphia
  • American Swedish Historical Museum
  • Barnes Foundation; Eastern State Penitentiary
  • Christ Church and Christ Church Burial Ground
  • Independence Seaport Museum
  • Morris Arboretum
  • Mütter Museum
  • National Constitution Center
  • National Museum of American Jewish History
  • University of Pennsylvania Museum; the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
  • Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent
  • Philadelphia Museum of Art
  • Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
  • Please Touch Museum

 

Single Mom Chronicles: Top Things I Learned After Job Loss

 FaveQuotationUnemployment 

 

  1. If you are involuntarily released from your employer,  file for unemployment benefits!   You can file as of the release date from your employer.   You cannot file before your release date so file on your release date or  shortly after that date.  For PA residents, here is the link to file unemployment claim, Unemployment Claim
  2.   The search for a new job feels like a full-time job.   If possible set aside money to pay your rent or mortgage for next 3 months.  This is one less task on  your to-do list.
  3.  My employer healthcare coverage was effective from June 1st – June 30th.  If you take daily medication(s),  I  suggest having your doctor call in additional prescriptions so you have medication on hand until you secure new insurance.   Also try to schedule all preventative medical and dental appointments within 30 days.   MY DD has asthma which requires a daily inhaler and  rescue inhaler.  I asked the pediatrician’s office to call in 2 inhalers so we would have medication on reserve.   For an involuntary job loss,  COBRA is an option for extending your healthcare coverage.   COBRA was not an option due to affordability.  To continue coverage with COBRA the cost per month was over $1,000.  Ouch!!!!    Unemployment benefits makes this extremely cost prohibitive.
  4.  Visit the Healthcare Markeplace  (you will see it is a secure site indicated by the https://)  to check your eligibility for plans under the Affordable Healthcare Act.   Although the March deadline has passed you may still qualify based on your life change(s).   The site offers options for both medical and dental plans.   It allows you to compare plans and check participating providers.   I suggest setting aside at least an hour to navigate the plans to determine what works for you and your family.   The plans range in terms of  HMOs, or  PPOs.   Check the annual deductibles, copays, prescription copays (generic and brand), and participating providers.   I prefer HMOs with two children and I have to be mindful of coverage due my DD’s asthma.  If you would like the site to forward your information to state healthcare plans such as Medicare or CHIP it will send your application.    I elected to apply for state provided healthcare on the PA site.    Once you select a medical and/or dental plan the provider(s) will send you an invoice(s).   You are not required to pay the invoice if you are no longer interested in using the designated plan(s).
  5. I decided to purchase dental benefits through Delta Dental at $54.oo/month. All of our providers participate in this plan.   Delta Dental does require you to pay 2 months in advance.  I paid on June 30th and our benefits were effective as of July 1st.
  6. In the state of PA, there is CHIP (Child Healthcare Insurance Program) which I was enrolled in during my layoff in 2009.   To apply for  CHIP or Medical Assistance  in PA, you can apply online at  COMPASS for healthcare as well as other human service programs.
  7.  Where can you go if you find yourself without coverage, Rite Aid Redi Clinic is available with board certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants.    Somehow I woke up with a stye on my eye and with no coverage I thought of RiteAid’s RediClinic.   No appointments are necessary and the fee for the visit is $89.   RediClinics are only currently available in the following states Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington.   RiteAid provides a discount on prescriptions if you are uninsured.  I received a 20% discount on my prescription.   If you go to your healthcare provider,  negotiate your office visit fee.   Ask your doctor for samples, see #8 for additional resources for medication if you are uninsured or underinsured.
  8. DO YOUR RESEARCH!! Shout out to Tomika Bryant over at MyMommysNeighborhood for informing me about medication assistance programs with pharmaceutical companies.  For example, GlaxoSmithKline has a patient assistance program, GSKForYou if you are without coverage.   Pfizer offers assistance for those who are uninsured and underinsured.    I learned from my OB/GYN of a program for free mammograms.  Check with your OB/GYN to see if there are special programs available for free mammograms.  RESEARCH AND ASK YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS FOR ASSITANCE IF NECESSARY!!!
  9. Use this time to ORGANIZE YOUR LIFE!!!!! Clean out closets, donate what you are no longer using, discard the rest.  Shred confidential information.  If you do not have a shredder, check your local FEDEX and UPS store for shredding services.   Create home files and designate a specific location in your home to store and access the files.  I felt buried in paperwork so I created specific categories for my paperwork.   In a matter of minutes, my pile of papers were neatly filed away and accessible if needed.  Schedule necessary appointments for  home repairs, healthcare, and car maintenance.
  10. SCHEDULE YOUR BILLS on a calendar.   If you need to delay payment(s), call the creditor to determine if  payment arrangements  are feasible without penalties.  For student loans, check to see what options are available with your change in income.
  11. UPDATE YOUR RESUME AND NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!!!! Let everyone in your circle know you are looking for a new position.  Friends who are currently employed may have openings with their employer or may know of other companies hiring.  Subscribe to employment websites. The site I use the most is Indeed.com.  Additional sites that may be of interest include Simply Hired and Monster.  Each site allows you to register with an email and based on your keyword search  the sites will send you daily emails.  You also have to select the city of interest for job search.   In preparation for applying for a new position identify at least 3 references.   Remember to send your reference the job description for the position and a current copy of your resume.
  12. SCHEDULE “ME TIME”.    You may ask “me time” while unemployed and I say YES!!!! As a full-time working mother, I found scheduling me time as a challenge.   I have learned how to purposely schedule time for me and it can be as simple as enjoying a cup of coffee before the kids wake, reading my favorite magazine for 30 minutes, taking myself to breakfast or lunch, see a movie or window shopping.
  13. SCHEDULE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.  Go for a walk, run, cycle or join a gym.   If cost is a factor, check for facilities that offer low cost monthly membership fees.  Challenge yourself to improve your diet by incorporating healthier food choices.  While I was working I realized,  I neglected myself by putting physical activity on hold and not paying attention to my diet.  It is definitely a challenge but I am on a mission to get in better shape, eat properly and take a multivitamin each day.
  14. CREATE A DAILY PLAN : I created a very functional office space in my apartment and this helps me tremendously with planning.  A daily plan can include tasks, goals, inspiration, appointments, etc.
  15. STICK TO THE PLAN.   I am committed to maintaining my organization plan even when I return to the workplace.  My new office space provides a visual of my tasks and I love notebooks for making daily notes and a weekly to do list.

 

Last but not least I have learned to spend quality time with my kids!!!!!!