[ripwho]

rebekah - sent you a 'private message' re BXBS nedical...

[golfnut]

Ok eujaynia, what is RIF?

[DickY]

In the military RIF stood for Reduction In Force

[jjdees]

In the corporate world, RIF also means reduction in force, or loosely stated, you're fired.

[eujaynia]

JJ & DickY are right on! A nice way to tell us where I work ... your job is going to India at less than a quarter of we pay you! Bye bye, now... have a good life...

Since I have volunteered to be RIF'd if someone in our unit must 'get it' ... I hope to get the severance package of 2wks for every year worked. That would equal 38 weeks. Better to get out now, while they are still offering these packages. Rumor is (which all rumors I have heard have been proven truth) no more as of Jan 1 2008.

Also--it would get me off my butt and make me do what I'd like to do but am just scared sh**less to do, because I like my comfort zone--even if it isn't what I truly want/need.

It will all work out how it's suppose to. That I'm sure of ... :bigthumbsup:

[golfnut]

I believe you're doing the right thing, if that's what your company is doing, get while the gettin' is good and move on.

[Frangyomory]

When you are under 65 AARP insurance stinks. I handled all my mother's insurance issues in the many years sh lived with us and she barely collected $200 in claims from them. Once she turned 65 the plan was better but it is not written for anyone under 65 and without MEDICARE. You would be better off to check with Blue Cross/Blue Shield or one of the major insurance companies that sell health coverage to individuals. You might have better luck.

Is there any possibility of you taking your COBRA health coverage continuation while you look for a job here that provides health benefits?

I am fortunate. I retired at 58 but had enough years with my employer that I was able to continue my group plan, paying the full rate each month. I pay $300 a month for myself and husband. When I turn 65 it will become a MEDICARE supplement for me but Joe will remain on the current plan until he turns 65.

Some people work for the Villages because they have health coverage for many of the positions. You could also check with the Villages Charter Schools to see if they have any positions in which you might be interested.

Good luck!!!!!

[Becky]

Fran, Thanks for your prespective. I will be checking into it more. Also am planning on checking out the schools around when I come down. Cobra is a possibilty except the premiums would be $1017 a month! :edit: BCBS will not cover me due to pre-existing. Did the hospitals where your Mother was accept AARP? What was the problem with them not paying? Don't mean to get "nosy" here- just trying to get all the info I can! If you would like, PM me. Thanks so much!

Becky

[Frangyomory]

The issue with AARP coverage is that, like MEDICARE it is really not that great unless you are IN a hospital. I really don't know any hospital that specifically denies acceptance of AARP. The big problem is that you have little or no prescription coverage if you are under 65 and not on MEDICARE. Your best bet would be to hit the job market and find something with insurance coverage. I know COBRA is espensive but with a pre-existing condition, you should try to keep it at least for a few months or until you get a job with coverage.

Many people down here work only because of health coverage, sad but true. Even the gal who sold us our home was working as a sales rep only until her 65th birthday when she would get MEDICARE because she and her husband had no other coverage.

Try to do a search for individual health plans on google. You might luck out and find something but I really believe that you need to do the COBRA thing for a while.

Best regards and much good luck to you.

[Becky]

Fran, Thanks! Will do more research! Good to know your input!

Becky

[Tom Farrell]

We presently have a serious problem with AARP Prescription plan. My wife has the plan and has been getting the drugs at Walmart. You know how the plan is supposed to work. For the first Approx $2500, they pay a portion of the drugs and you pay the Copay, After that you go into the doughnut hole where you pay it all until your out of pocket costs hit $4000+. You are then supposed to be in catistrophic care where they pay almost all of the costs. My wife who is on multiple drugs seemed to be in the doughnut hole forever. In Nov AARP said she still had $700 to go to get out. Her November order was in excess of this amount. But AARP said Walmart only showed 1 drug received in Nov. In further investigations Walmart said they entered her drugs under 2 codes per AARP instructions, But AARP only recognized the one code. For over 3 mo. AARP has refused to recognize these legitimate costs. They get a different rep on the phone each time and never resolve anything. They have promised to call back but never do. I am considering legal action.Everyone with AARP should check to see that all their medicines are recognized, I am also contacting Medicare re their fraud conditions. Please let me know if you have similar problems with AARP. Tom F