I woke up to a series of texts from one of my cousins, this morning. At first, I thought she was texting me because something happened to her mother, but, no, cousin had taken her mother to the eye doctor for a regular check up and, as she was not allowed in the waiting room, she was waiting in her car and, I suppose, bored! LOL. It's a good thing I am fond of my cousin!
Anyway, I got up and had my tea, checked emails and blog comments, etc., and planned my day. Paperwork was on the top of my list of tasks for today.
The medical insurance company had sent me two prescription insurance cards. They had identical numbers (member I.D. number, group number, Rx I.D. number, etc.) but, the order in which the numbers were listed were a little different. On one card, the group number was listed before the Rx I.D. number and in the other card, the Rx I.D. number was listed before the group number. I wasn't sure if they had made a mistake and sent me two cards or if one was sent in error (both cards arrived on the same day with identical letters informing that my new card was enclosed). So, I called the number provided on the back of the card; customer service didn't know why I received two cards, and basically, I was told to use whichever one I wanted to.
Then, I called the number listed on the letter and they didn't know why I received two cards, either. But, my main question to them was if the pharmacy I currently use is in their network and I was assured that it was. I had called the pharmacy to let them know I had a new card and was told to bring it in to update their records, but, I was reluctant to go in person because the new Covid case numbers here are on the uptick, with the daily new cases being above 2,000 for the past several days in just my county. So, when I spoke with the customer service person at the number listed on the letter and asked her if it would be possible to have them forward the information tot he pharmacy, she was really nice and connected me to a representative who looked up the information and said the pharmacy seems to already have my new information because they processed a couple of refills for me since the new coverage went into effect! That's good to know. I suppose I will take the new card in person to the pharmacy, eventually, but, I can wait until the new Covid numbers go down a bit.
Then, I paid the bill that Medicare had sent me for my insurance premiums and got that taken care of! I chose to pay it online and I was a bit nervous doing so (I am easily intimidated by online payment procedures, etc.), but, I took a deep breath, said an affirmation: "I am an intelligent woman, I am fully capable of setting up an account and paying a bill online", and I did it! LOL. It's a new expense for me and I will have to include that in my budget for next year. According to the letter I received from Medicare, they don't yet know the premium amounts for January and February of 2021; the bill they sent me is based on the current premiums and, once they know how much the premiums will increase in the new year, they will bill me for the difference! I suppose I will have to pad the amount I budget for the premiums, until I know what they will actually be!
Once all that was taken care of, I relaxed, walked a bit in the garden, did the dishes/ran the dishwasher, and cleaned the stove top, including under the burners (cleaning the kitchen is on my Thursday's cleaning schedule).
After that, I watched news and knitted, a bit. Friend R called and I chatted with her and, later, video chatted with my daughter.
Today, I am grateful for:
- The pharmacy I use is in the network and seems to have all the current insurance info on file
- I don't have to go to the pharmacy in person and can continue to shelter at home
- Nice, helpful customer service people
- Being able to pay the insurance premium bill online!
- Keeping in touch with family and friends
Today's joyful activity was knitting.
One day, I fear I will be in jail...everyone wants us to go paperless or pay on line...I refuse. I will still write and mail checks. :) I know what you are saying about some confusion about cards. We are swamped with medicare information letters and calls. Some call and have the nerve to put us on hold..oh that's a sure way for me to hang up on them. Hope you get all things straight. Yes, honey, be safe. It's getting way to scary with this virus. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteI, too, have been resisting the paperless/online trends, but, trying to learn how to move with the times, so to speak. :) Hope all is well with you and yours, Susie.
DeleteGo you on the online bill pay! I do everything online these days, it's so much easier than dealing with paperwork. Happy Friday the 13th, have a great weekend :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha. I am not at all comfortable doing so, but, I am trying to overcome my self-doubts! As for dealing with paperwork, I somehow managed to generate two pages of notes documenting how I paid that one bill online and that doesn't include the printout of the payment statement (my printer refuses to print)! LOL.
DeleteHope you have a good day and a great weekend, yourself. :)
I'm glad you were able to get the insurance card taken care of without going to the pharmacy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. I'm trying to avoid leaving the house as much as I can. The virus is spreading here like a wildfire!
DeleteYou are very wise limiting your outings, especially with more Covid cases numbered. We have an increase in Canada, too, as do other countries and I think some of us have to realize that we have been kidding ourselves all summer when we have got away with things! I see what is going on and then I think that sacrificing a bit of freedom to help curb the numbers is not a big deal. But as I e-mailed my DDIL, the best Christmas gift anyone could ask for would be visits WITH HUGS! Unfortunately even visits with masks look unlikely right now. Time to be patient and hang in there.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bushlady. I am limiting my outings to only the most essential ones. I called and cancelled the appointment I had, next week, with the podiatrist and am wondering if I should keep the appointment with the dentist! I think virtual visits will be the way to go, this holiday season! At least we are able to do that much and we can all look forward to next year.
DeleteYay for paying a bill online, Bless. :)
ReplyDeleteI pay all my bills online (some direct deposits) except for yard work. Yard guy prefers checks.
Thank you, Nil! Oh, but, I was a nervous wreck! LOL. My daughter pays all her bills online and has been encouraging me to do so, too. But, I get all flustered and stressed about it! I'm just an old stick in the mud kind of person, I guess! :D
DeleteI pay most of my bills online now and find it much easier to keep control of expenditure. Online banking has certainly been a real help during lockdown.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are choosing to stay at home while your local infection rates are so high. Ours are increasing daily and, where before this area had one of the lowest rates in the country, we now have risen into the next band up. Whether it's down to the increased testing providing a more accurate picture of how it's always been, I don't know, but it is scary. I'm staying at home and only going for a drive out to people free places very occasionally.
I am sure a lot of people pay bills online and do online banking, but, I have always been reluctant to do so. But, now, with the pandemic raging on, I am starting to do more things online!
DeleteThis second wave is really upon us, isn't it? I'm glad you are taking all the precautions you can. I still have a dentist appointment for next week that I am debating whether to keep or not. I've already postponed it, once, and I am not sure if I should postpone it again or just get it over and done with!
You'll feel better about paying your bills online after you have a little more practice. This pandemic has had many of us expanding our computer skills in different ways.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, I suppose I'll feel more comfortable once I've done it a few times. :)
DeleteI'm sorry but I chuckled at your cousin texting you because she was bored. My eldest always does this. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL. At least they know that we are usually available to keep them company when they feel the need. :)
DeleteGood for you for figuring out how to pay your bill online. It will get easier every time you do it.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm looking forward to the time when these things become second nature to me. :)
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