So, life has been crazy lately, as I've shared many times. So crazy, in fact, that I haven't had time to post as much as I'd like to. I've shared about my luck before and how bad it is. I swear at one point in my life I had the best luck ever...I think I remember that... Lately, it's been one thing after another. Perhaps this is a reflection on me, or maybe it's just what's going on now, but it's frustrating!
Like with any new job, there are forms that need to be filled out to get on payroll and sign up for benefits, etc. Thankfully, I was told when I accepted my job, that because I had previously worked for State Government for 5+ years, that that time would carry over and I would pick up with the same retirement savings that I left with the state and that I would be able to earn a higher number of vacation hours each month because of my service years. That was WONDERFUL news, but to actually get the accounts linked up was a nightmare. Retirement finally linked up this past month and we're good on that front. My vacation hasn't kicked in yet because apparently NCSU can't connect with the right people in State Government to verify that I have actually worked those years...even though my retirement account shows my years of service, but what do I know? I'm still waiting!
Then there's the topic of benefits. I just happened to attend Orientation with NCSU and sign up for benefits at the same time that NCSU was rolling from the NCFlex system to another online benefits system (because I have awesome luck). This wasn't a problem except I had been in NCFlex when I was with State Government and it still remembered me in some ways, but not others. I couldn't log in with my old NCFlex log-in, but it also wouldn't allow me to log-in with a new log-in because it knew me in the system. I was on the phone with HR daily trying to figure everything out and they had to make special exceptions to get me into the system. Then when the NCFlex system was rolling over to the new system, not all of the benefits I selected carried over, so there were many phone calls to get it all straight. And it finally was straightened out.
One of those chosen benefits was health insurance. I volunteered to receive medical insurance and actually chose the plan that I pay a premium for each month (automatically drafted out of my paycheck). I have been to numerous doctors appointments lately (I'd rather not share what's going on, but there have been some expensive tests) and since my new insurance kicked in on July 1, I've been trying to get these doctor's offices/insurance to understand that not only do I have primary insurance with NCSU, but I'm covered under Kevin's health insurance and have secondary insurance with that. It has been a nightmare to get this straightened out and they're both BCBS.
First, all of the doctor's offices filed with Kevin's insurance and not mine because I didn't have my insurance card yet. Then I had to call all of them and let them know that I had my own primary insurance, provide that policy number and ask them to re-file with my insurance first. That happened (I think) and I began receiving EOBs that had a code denying my claims and saying I had another primary insurance (Kevin's) and couldn't be insured under my primary insurance. I proceeded to call my primary insurance with NCSU and was told that Kevin's insurance is my primary insurance because I've been on his policy longer than I've been on my own policy. This didn't make sense to me since my policy is only in my name, but I listened to what she said and waited for all of my EOBs to come back denied so I could call all of the offices and let them know that Kevin's insurance was my primary and start the cycle again.
In the mean time, I can monitor my insurance online through the Blue Cross and Blue Shield website (P.S. I HATE THEM) and noticed at one point that Kevin's insurance disappeared from my account and was showing my old policy that I was covered under until this past April (his re-ups May 1). So, I called them up (on a weekend, so they weren't open) and requested a callback for the following work week to straighten it out. They called back and said I was still covered, they could see it on their end, but they didn't see my NCSU insurance, so they would connect the two policies on my account and THEN all claims could be re-filed and I would be good to go. They also confirmed that my NCSU insurance is my primary insurance, because it is only in my name, and that a spousal rule applies...if I'm covered as a spouse, then that is automatically my secondary insurance, if I have another one in just my name. Whew! I wasn't crazy! My insurance is my primary and Kevin's is my secondary. Exactly what I thought from the beginning. Everything was solved! Hajaluliah!
And then I went to the doctor this week and asked if they had heard anything because additional EOBs were coming in as denied. The receptionist graciously called on my behalf and discovered that my primary insurance with NCSU had been cancelled. WHAT? The receptionist was told that NCSU had cancelled it and that I would need to call to verify. So, as soon as I left the office, I called and I was told the same thing. That NCSU sent BCBS a letter to terminate my insurance. I explained that I had been covered since July 1 and had been getting EOBs, that I could see that policy on my online account until the week before when it disappeared AND that I'm currently paying for the policy (money is drafting out of my paycheck each month and has been since July 1). They could only say "sorry, NCSU will have to submit a letter saying you're still active because they terminated you." So..I called my HR reps, who know WAY too much about me now, and explained the situation. They confirmed that they had NOT terminated me and I let them know that the day I was "terminated" was the same day I spoke with Kevin's insurance and the nice lady said she would link my two accounts and I'd be good to go. Yeah, that "nice" lady apparently terminated me. Who does that? So, now it's all in HRs hands to provide documentation to re-instate me and I just have to wait. No bills have been paid for since July 1 and they just keep rolling in!
This all just frustrates me and that's only one area where things are "messed" up in my life. There are so many other things like this that just grate my nerves. I swear, if you want something to fail, just put my name on it and it's bound to end up messed up in some way!
And for me, I'm trying to work on my rage and getting upset when these things happen! It really rocks my world and sends me into a spiral. I should be able to just let it roll of my back, but I feel like these things happen so often and linger for so long that I never get a break. It really really frustrates me! So, forgive me for not posting anything fun lately. And if you see me and I just look pissed off and stressed out, there is a reason...my luck has still run out and I'm waiting for things to get straightened out!
