Big sigh...this is a story that many of us have been hearing lately. One of frustration, defeat, vulnerability. All pertaining to healthcare...or lack, thereof.
When I made the decision to not return to work full time after Julian was born, I had no idea what price I would eventually pay. Would I have made any other decision? Absolutely not. However, the lack of security from leaving one's job was not part of my thinking as my attention was focused on motherhood and finding independent work options in education.
Due to Chris' 'independent' status as well, we would both have to pay for individual health plans...with now a third to apply for. I submitted my application right away to continue with the coverage I had through my employer, but was shocked to have gotten denied, "due to your history of in vitro fertilization." That's a pre-existing condition? No, you have it all wrong. The condition is my husband's, which led to our having no other option to conceive. I've delivered one (yes, single embryo) healthy baby, and yet I am prevented from having insurance? No Blue Cross for five years after IVF, in case you didn't know. Okay, I'll pursue good ol' Kaiser then. They should accept me, right?
I wasn't so sure. In comparing plans, I realized that I'd be paying more than $100 more per month for a plan that includes labor and delivery. Well, there were no chances of that happening unexpectedly. So, I applied for the less expensive plan that covered prenatal, but excluded the day of.
When the time came to seriously consider trying for a second, I applied for the plan that I would need. The application was never processed, even after I had phoned to follow up and was told it would be expedited. I then had to reapply. I assure you, time spent on the Kaiser website, or on the phone navigating the Kaiser phone tree is no fun. After submitting the second application, with appointments already happening with the endocrinologist, my heart dropped when I received the denial letter.
I welcomed this embryo into my womb not knowing where the end of my pregnancy would occur. At home with a midwife, and hopeful for no need of a hospital intervention? In a county hospital...could I really imagine giving birth at Highland? I applied to AIM, but was denied due to what I thought was income requirements, but ended up being bureaucracy and paperwork problems. I appealed to Kaiser with a letter from our endocrinologist stating that we implanted a single embryo, so no chance for multiples at birth. Denied.
After a week or so of feeling depressed, and shedding many a tear, I began wondering if our decisions to have creative work schedules were worth it. Maybe we were living a fantasy and really needed to 'buckle down' and 'pay our dues' in order to receive the benefits of healthcare.
But, then I started to look at the big picture. I started to breathe again. To have both parents active in their child's daily life, keeping daycare to a minimum should be choices valued in our society, right? Although they're clearly not, that doesn't mean that we don't have the option to value this lifestyle for our family. Unprotected, not having one of the most basic 'securities' offered through an employer, I came to a place where I knew this baby would come into the world one way or another, and all would be fine.
I called Medi-Cal because I didn't know what else to do for an uninsured pregnant lady like myself. Worried that income requirements would be an issue, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I qualify simply because I am pregnant. Finally, things were working in my favor! Less than one week later, I received my benefits card, which I never imagined being so happy to possess. No more anxieties or 'what ifs' around a $20k medical bill (cost of a natural childbirth), or heaven forbid the exorbitant costs of any interventions that might occur along the way.
Still unsure as to where I'll deliver (Alta Bates, Kasier, home?), I am relieved to have some sense of security. Healthcare Options should return my call soon to bring some clarity to this, and we'll be on our way, with a new doctor, preparing for this birth.
In sum, I am more than willing and capable to pay for my (very expensive) individual healthcare. Denied, due to my 'pre-existing condition,' which would not have occurred if I remained under my employer's plan, I am left with Medi-Cal as my option for birth coverage. Should I, or any parent sacrifice the relationship with a child to work full time solely for the security of healthcare? No. Do I regret my situation? Yes, in this country, I most certainly do.
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