A Change of Pace

For those that don't know, after graduation, I took a promotion to management within PetSmart. It was a promotion in name only because in addition to not really having any more power, I didn't receive that much of a raise either. To make matters worse, the powers that be hired another manager (same position as me) that was making just as much money as me. I've been with the company how long? (Four years). So I began looking for another way.

After putting out numerous applications, one company contacted me: American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus, otherwise known as Aflac. After sitting through a first and second interview, I was extended an invitation to be hired on. Wow. Selling insurance. Is this for me?

I say "interview(s)", though it was more like a presentation. They made me want to work for them. I actually didn't do that much advertising to them. They did all the work. Maybe I am special.

But what really turned me onto Aflac as an insurance company was the fact that Aflac does not cover doctors bills: it pays cash to the policy holder, who may in turn use the cash in whatever manner he sees fit. If he wants to use it to pay doctor's bills, fine. If he wants to use it to cover grocery expenses for his kids, fine. If she wants to use it to pay her mortgage, fine. Go on a cruise for all I care.

Having my background in political science, I know the problems that are associated with medical insurance. As I write this, I'm one of the 40 million uninsured. If I get hurt in a car accident tomorrow, I'm going to be a burden to the rest of society (mostly my family, though).

One problem: As someone without insurance, if I have a heart attack tomorrow I'll be at the mercy of whatever treatment the state can spare for me. Legally, they have to treat me. They'll find a loophole to give shoddy treatment, but whatever. After the fact, however, if I try to get insurance, I'm going to run into the problem called "pre-existing condition." Basically, it's a way for insurance companies to avoid handing out insurance to someone with a pre-existing medical problem. They may make it too expensive to be affordable, or they may issue insuranace that does not cover any condition related to heart disease. You'll still most likely be paying the price that includes cardiac coverage, as well. So it's still more expensive. I ask: Is this fair?

Another problem: If I have medical coverage through my workplace (a group plan) and I pay about twenty dollars a week for insurance. When I leave my job, I have the right to take that coverage with me (under C.O.B.R.A)....for about $300 a month. I understand group rates and everything, but I ask is this fair?

Or I am diagnosed with cancer while still working. After several treatments, I am prescribed to hospital confinement because my treatments are major. As an hourly employee, I'm now not making enough to cover the premiums of my insurance...essentially, I don't work there. I can lose coverage for no reason other than I'm sick. My medical insurance could potentially drop me in the middle of coverage for failure to pay. If it goes to C.O.B.R.A., I now have to deduct the $300 a month from what the insurance company is paying the doctors. If I lose coverage because of loss of income, and then try to apply for medical insurance on my own, my previous diagnosis with cancer gives me a pre-existing condition, and I'm back to the first problem.

In all of these situations, it's not my fault. The rules are stacked against me. As long as nothing happens to me, I'm fine. But the second something does, I'm penalized even though I had no direct part in it.

I can understand insurance premiums being higher for those that smoke. I can even maybe understand it for those that are obese and saturate themselves with food and alcohol, but I think it's a dangerous slope to start charging people more just because they are overweight because then the problem becomes one of where the line is drawn.

And from the point of view of the insurance companies, I can understand why some of these rules are in place. If I'm diagnosed with high blood pressure, there needs to be a method in place to keep that person from going out and purchasing insurance just to cover the cost of his upcoming treatments. That's not the way insurance should work.

So, for now, my research interests will diverge from city and urban planning, and it will turn to the world of insurance. I've got a little bit to say about it.

And it gives me a forum to discuss my day at work!