Stressful Week (long)

Eve_Angelique

I have been a little absent this week because its not been a good one. When I got to work on Tuesday I was informed that all part time staff were going to be losing their health insurance as of March 31st. I went into immediate panic mode, called DH and he talked me down to wait for more information because of course they drop it on us, and tell us more info is coming. I currently work 35-40 hours pretty consistently, but my calculated average hours are at about 28, because I used to just work part time when DH was employed. 

So I find out yesterday that I am indeed screwed. No more insurance. The company has hired some group to help all the people affected to help them register for new plans through the health care exchange. I am just so pissed about the whole thing. I have worked at this company for 13 years, you would think that it would count for something but apparently not. 

I just feel like we can't catch a break. While I am thrilled that I am pregnant, it makes this time extra stressful, and stress is not what I need right now. DH has been unemployed since last May, his unemployment is gone, so its all me now. And my job only is not enough to pay all the bills. We are totally scraping by and its getting really scary. My silver lining is that a pregnant woman with one kid, and an unemployed husband better qualify for some damn subsidies so I can actually have health coverage!

PennyLane26

(((Hugs))) Eve. No advice but thinking of you!!

jmorta04

That completely sucks. I don't have any advice but just wanted to offer hugs! Hang in there!

CarrieB.

I'm so sorry! My DH was laid off and my salary was cut when I was pg w DD1. It was so insanely stressful, but my DH ended up finding a new job before baby came and I got a new job after I came back from leave. Sending lots of T&Ps your way that things turn around for you.

PrettyAccountant

Hugs - I'm sorry you are going through this especially when you are pg. Hopefully the conversion to the exchange insurance is easy and painless.

mcgeeva

Aye that is super stressful not to mention costly. I really hope they give you a good plan. I can't imagine having all the stress of being the bread winner and now dealing with health insurance on top of being pregnant. I hope it all works out

JBDamonM

Huge Hugs. Excuse my language but that flucking sucks - no way around it....

I've also been dealing with unemployment and my husband, so I feel your pain there. Things have been miserable around here.

Hope things somehow work out for you!

TJ1979

Holy crap eve. That sucks. Thinking of you. You will get through this. Somehow. Stay strong.

imoverit

Thats so very stressful. Hope things work out. Hugs mama.

carrera317

Oh man. That's crappy. Is there any way your company can bump you to full time status? With 13 years you should at least have some pull. Good luck.

Mrs.AmyDylan

Ugh, how stressful. Is there anything full-time that you can apply for within your company?

Eve_Angelique

Thanks so much ladies! It just blows that I currently do work full time hours but the company is basing their decision on whose insurance to cut based on the average hours that were calculated as of a certain date. So whatever that date was, I assume the end of the year, my average hours were under the threshold and there is nothing they can do to help. 

jessica_gail2

That's awful. I work in insurance and the whole health insurance debacle is just sucky.

There are several different ways they can calculate your eligibility/full-time status. Full time for Obamacare is 30 hours. I would just triple check with them the time period they used. Also - if you consistently work more than 30 hours now, you should be eligible for their coverage at the next renewal period.

My biggest recommendation is to contact a local independent agent who knows about health care reform. If you want to PM me your location, I don't mind using my resources to see who the best agency to contact might be. You don't pay any more for using an agent to help you with the exchanges.  And, with your husband's unemployment and your family size, you most likely will qualify for a subsidy since your employer isn't offering affordable health coverage to you. And I've been hearing that the exchanges are offering more affordable coverages than carriers like Anthem (at least in our state).

A link to help calculate your subsidy: https://kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/

I'm really sorry you're having to deal with the stress. But, like I said, I highly, highly recommend using an agent to help you make the most informed decisions for coverage!

Eve_Angelique

@jessica_gail2: There is a company that was hired to help all people that are affected. So they will be helping to navigate all the new laws and help find out what would be the best coverage for what we need and help us figure out what subsidies we would qualify for. Thanks for the link that helps me get a little baseline idea!