Merry *^%$ing Christmas from Blue Cross

I recently received my annual renewal from those fun and loving people at Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

I am sure you will be surprised to hear that they are once again raising our rates. Now for the Christmas present, they are raising our rates $583 a month. It will cost me almost $20,000 a year for health insurance for three people. Now let’s put this into perspective. I make $9.00 per hour when I work at the school. The most I can work is 30 hours a week. That is $270 a week. I would have to work 75 weeks in a year taking no taxes out just to pay for my health insurance. Now I know I am not a genius but I don’t think that is possible. We also know that schools are not open for a full 12 months. I don’t get vacation or sick time or anything on $9.00 an hour.

When I opened the letter I broke down and cried. Then I threw a royal fit. I screamed, threw the papers, used my favorite curse word about 1,000 times, and did I mentioned that I screamed. My husband tried to comfort me. I hate it when he says “ohhh it will be OK don’t worry” Don’t worry!!! Well then he was on the receiving end of my favorite curse word. I used it in every form possible.

I called my broker. The first thing out of my mouth was I thought it was horrible that they send these letters out a week before Christmas. I tried so hard not to cry. But before long I was bawling like a baby. He assured me that they have the right to charge me anything they wanted too because we are a small company. I asked how in the heck they expect someone to be able to pay that much in health care and was told that frankly they don’t really care.

I asked if there were other options and was told that in New Hampshire it is almost impossible to get health insurance. He told me he was sending me information on other policies that were a little cheaper than what we have but…. Frankly they would all be about the same. Now what are my options. Moving….. I love NH. I cannot see myself living anywhere else. I have NEVER even thought about leaving NH. That was until my Christmas gift from BCBS.

Did I mention that BCBS increased my rates last year and then instituted a deductible. They charged me more and covered much less. I was never made aware of the deductible so imagine my surprise when the bills for the doctor’s office started coming in.

One of the things that I mentioned to my lovely broker was the fact that last year I saw the doctor ONCE. Yes one time during the entire year. Guess what….. They didn’t pay a thing because of the deductible.

This wonderful Christmas present came to us one week after we finally made a big decision regarding a purchase. We made the purchase and then this. Not that it really would make that much of a difference. It certainly was not a $7,000 purchase.

I may just have the last laugh. I found a lump on my chest the other day. Boy that would serve BCBS right if I have cancer and they have to pay for the treatment. But then again I would still have to come up with the premium starting February. I guess it doesn’t matter how you look at it I am screwed.

PS Please remember that my husband HATES when I blog so if you are reading this please do not talk to him about it. I still blog in hiding.