Medicare & other

Got Raj signed up for a different set of Medicare benefits for 2012.  Instead of Parts A & B with Humana Medicare Advantage in 2011, I'm going with Parts A, B, D and F.  So far, the prescription plan (D) got processed, we've received the Member ID & card, and they've even processed my POA so I can communicate with the Community CCRx on Raj's behalf.  With Humana, these processes took 3 months!  We'll see what happens when I try to fill the first prescription, which is waiting for me at Osco.

Hopefully, BCBS-IL will be a good choice for a High-Deductible Plan F.  Since the first set of expenses just go toward the deductible, parallel to base Medicare, I'm not worried that this coverage isn't in place immediately. 

High on the list of what's needed is a hospital bed for Raj.  With his knees so rigid, he literally crashes into the single bed we have there for him, and it can't handle the impact.  Because of the reflux, he should sleep with his head elevated anyway, and this bed will address that, as well.

The patient advocate assigned to help me with the backlog of 2011 Humana claims is working on the first one; We'll see if someone internal to that organization can make any progress!

Raj was home for Christmas-gift opening several days ago, and he was cooperative.  His coughing was almost constant, though, so he's not remembering what the speech therapist taught him.

I heard back from one of the two life insurance companies I applied with today.  I need the cash, so I'm planning to surrender my VUL and replace it with basic term insurance.  I haven't seen how my physical exam turned out, but I was surprised to be quoted at the "Standard" rate.  I have no chronic conditions or diagnoses, am experiencing pretty normal "female" stuff through a long peri-menopause, and take one prescription to manage those symptoms.  I keep up with regular massage and all shots/tests/labs/maintenance/dental/eye stuff, and take supplements for optimal health .  I haven't had a cold or flu in years, BP is great, and my only ER visits were 7/2009 (bad headache after cushioning one of Raj's falls with my whole body on a concrete floor) and 9/2011 (tripped while walking the dog & had sore wrist X-rayed).  Hopefully, the other insurance company will come through with a better rating.