temporary retirement and health insurance...

[smilingcat]

Not sure if this thread should be in cycling related or not... but it is related to USAcycling org.

By joining USAcycling, I can get some sort of discount on health insurance, accident insurance and free Rx thingy... haven't read it in detail yet. But I do plan on contacting them tomorrow.

The cobra I'm offered, the cost and what it covers is just a joke. Won't cover mammogram wont cover this and that and pre-existing condition... With my history of being broken in too many serious crashes, I think most things will be denied to me.

So rather than getting fleeced by the cobra insurance, I want to check the alternatives. Hopefully I can be covered. USA cycling may be the ticket for me to get affordable coverage.

The added advantage is that I will have a license LOL...

So has anyone taken advantage of the "benefits of being a USAcycling member"?
Or did you get a membership to take advantages of the benefits, insurance?

cat-4 license ROFLOL... unattached for now. (I'm sooooo out of shape and soooo ahem rubenesque like.)

Thinking of heading over to my LBS now that they have put together a team once again (after about 5 year hiatus). No women's squad though... see if they want to tweak me into riding.

[OakLeaf]

Read the policy CAREFULLY.

Then, find out whether California law requires them to convert it to an individual policy if you're no longer a member of the group (as most states do when it's COBRA or a direct separation from employer-sponsored insurance).

If your choice is between that and nothing (as I know it is for most people), then it's obviously worth looking into. But I think if there's any way you can afford the COBRA, it's best to go with that.

[Irulan]

Depending on what state you live in there may be some very good self insurance policies. I am in WA and we do a family of 3 with a high deductible plan for $350 a month. (Group Health, similar to Kaiser PPO) My experience with COBRA is that it is very expensive and that if you have access to reasonable self insure options, to do that instead.

[smilingcat]

From USA Cycling web site, I clicked on members benefit button then it popped open a benefits web page. There, they had links to different insurance brokers and other things.

I filled the form out day before yesterday late at night, this morning I got a call and they asked few questions: meds I'm on, which state I reside and that was actually it.

In about 2 hours or so I got a quote in e-mail. I like the cost, its almost half of what COBRA offers... The offer had about 12 different plans from very little deductible or none to $5,000 deductible. They offered Cigna, Aetna and Pacific Care. I checked to make sure my primary care physician was in the network for Cigna and he was, same with Aetna and several local hospitals in my area is in the network too. My partner didn't care for Pacific Care so I didn't check.

I'm going to spend some time going over the fine print Aetna also doesn't have pre-exisiting condition exclusion if previous coverage hasn't expired for more than 62 or more days.

Anyway, I think I'm going to pass on COBRA.

Looks like a pretty good deal as far as insurance goes...

[smilingcat]

I'm conflicted about Aetna and Cigna. Cigna is bit cheaper with slightly lower deductible. BUUTTTT, they have had some bad raps like denied coverage for a liver transplant for a leukemia patient (young girl) then after so much bad publicity they okayed it. The family claimed that the delay cost the daughter's life.

So I'm conflicted...

Either way, I think the group coverage from USAcycling is a good way to go instead of getting an individual coverage. I figure you'll get more service.

Well, having an account at USAcycling doesn't qualify I don't think... sooo I just picked up a roadie license. LOL... (I'm way too old for this and too out of shape) Well it is still the beginning of the season.

Any thoughts between Cigna and Aetna? Probably sign up this Friday.

[smilingcat]

Now that I'm legal to race, I wish I had Wendy's problem condition is known as myostatin deficiency... Just in my legs though.

EPO is a no no
HGF is a no no
IGF1 is a no no
and many other things...

All these things are adding something to your body. But in Wendy's case, she has a deficiency. Is there a way to trick our body to having such a deficiency? And would it be legal if one were to take something out of our body? I think it would be cool to have this problem in my legs only.

[smilingcat]

double post ughhh