Chat Transcript- Health Insurance for the Seasonal Worker

Great chat tonight and also a tough one. Health insurance is just plain expensive and a touchy subject because it is a very personal thing. We covered some options, one's personal responsibility and being hopeful that someday, our government might figure something out that really works. The bottom line is that everyone needs it, but what exactly is a tricky thing.

Here are some links I found when Googling health insurance.

Individual Health Insurance

Google #1

http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/

Google #2

http://www.healthinsurancesort.com/

Google #3

http://www.healthinsurance.org/

Google #4

http://www.uhc.com/individuals_families.htm

Google #5

http://www.humana-one.com/


College Student Health Insurance

Google # 1

https://www.uhcsr.com/

Google #2

http://www.estudentinsurance.com/

Google #3

http://www.aetnastudenthealth.com/


Retired Health Insurance
Returns seem to be more advice than insurance providers

Google #1

http://www.aarp.org/health/

Google #2

http://www.aarp.org/health/insurance/

Google #3

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080804164712AAfIngO


Health Insurance for Seasonal Workers

Google #1

http://www.rangercareers.com/parkrangerarticles/article_healthinsur...

http://www.anpr.org/
Association of National Park Ranger (ANPR)



Here is the actual transcript from the chat on Monday, February 9.


5:50pmCarol does anybody here actually have health insurance now?
5:50pmGary What's health insurance lol
5:51pmCatherine i do...until i graduate from college basically
5:51pmCarol :D
5:51pmakscootr good morning :)
5:51pmKari Quaas Afternoon!
5:51pmCarol hi Scott
5:52pmGary Greetings and Hallucinations....
5:52pmCatherine hey scott
5:52pmCarol somebody just woke up?:;-D
5:52pmBrenda lol health insurance I can only dream
5:52pmakscootr I google some stuff about health insurance I'll post them soon
5:52pmKari Quaas We'll officially get going in 10 min or so. : )
5:52pmakscootr GM is my normal greeting too much fun with it :)
5:53pmreggiecohen i had it before i got laid off
5:53pmreggiecohen it was very good coverage
5:53pmCarol I got it now....yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield....
5:53pmreggiecohen had united health care
5:53pmCarol gonna let it go....?
5:55pmakscootr what is up with the Yellowstone health care ins.? It wasn't there last time I worked @ Yellow
5:56pmCarol I work at a hospital now....one of the few places left on earth that has it, probably, or not
5:56pmreggiecohen at my old job we was paying about 16 dollars an paycheck
5:57pmBrenda when I worked at yellowstone they gave you an option if you wanted to get insurance or not
5:58pmBrenda one thing I don't like with most places is that they don't have health insurance
5:59pmreggiecohen unless u go full time
5:59pmGary Hard to afford insurance at 7.50 an hour
5:59pmakscootr beer= vitamins... help the local brewer
5:59pmMegan Geiger hello everyone
5:59pmakscootr :)
5:59pmBrenda right unless your year round but seasonal I haven't found to many places that offer anything really worth taking
5:59pmKate When I worked in Yellowstone, last winter, they changed it so that you have to have 1560 hours worked or more in a season in order to stay qualified to have the health insurance. That caused a mighty big uproar let me tell you
6:00pmKate I had to drop it.
6:00pmBrenda wow Kate when did they start that
6:00pmKari Quaas Hey All
6:00pmMegan Geiger yellowstone has accident thing
6:00pmKate They changed it in winter 07-08.
6:00pmakscootr @ kate that = a lot of hours
6:00pmBrenda hey Kari
6:00pmKari Quaas I'm glad that you're all chatting already and clearly this is a HOT topic.
6:00pmMegan Geiger where they cover you up to 5000 dollars
6:00pmakscootr :) hi Kari
6:00pmKari Quaas Hi Brenda
6:00pmKate @scootr exactly! and it's NOT doable for most summertime workers.
6:01pmDavid Is there anyway I can make this chat window larger?
6:01pmKate Especially since ystone is not open 12 months a year, it's open 10.
6:01pmKari Quaas I think Carol asked earlier who had health insurance and I would love a show of hands...typing. ;)
6:01pmBrenda so basically they want you to work yourself into the ground and never have the time to use the insurance because your always at work
6:01pmMegan Geiger yeah click one chat on the top of the page
6:01pmKate I have no insurance.
6:01pmakscootr none for me
6:01pmGary No
6:01pmKari Quaas @David - Yes, click on the Chat tab at the top.
6:01pmBrenda none here
6:01pmMegan Geiger yeah but they cover that even if ur hiking
6:02pmDavid Awesome, thank you, Was having a hard time reading everything because it would scroll up too fast in the small window.
6:02pmKari Quaas When for those without was the last time you had insurance?
6:02pmGary Year ago
6:02pmreggiecohen month ago
6:02pmakscootr 1992
6:02pmKari Quaas (Aside - just heard our president say that he is the eternal optimist. - Me too.)
6:02pmKate since winter 07-08. I dropped it at the end of the season... so, since March of 2008. before that it was a number of years since I've had it
6:02pmakscootr doctors will have vacation when they check me
6:02pmBrenda a few years ago and it wasn't for my seasonal jobs
6:03pmKari Quaas 1992, wow.
6:03pmKari Quaas When you did have it was it sponsored by your employer?
6:03pmakscootr too expensive...
6:03pmKate 1992 was the last time before Yellowstone that I had it.
6:03pmBrenda yep
6:03pmakscootr no I owned a business and got it through the business
6:03pmKari Quaas Has anyone ever purchased it on their own through an insurance company?
6:04pmGary No
6:04pmKate they deducted from my paycheck, Xanterra contributed some I think.
6:04pmreggiecohen no thought about it
6:04pmakscootr about 300 now
6:04pmKate nope Kari, too expensive too confusing too many exclusions, etc
6:04pmMegan Geiger i have have it is soo worth it
6:04pmakscootr http://www.assuranthealth.com/corp/ah/HealthPlans/Get-A-Health-Insu... http://www.temporaryinsuranceplan.com/Temporary_health_insurance_co...
6:04pmBrenda that's why I didn't take it in Yellowstone was not worth it
6:04pmCelsea I have health insurance. It's an independent plan. Not attached to a company
6:04pmKari Quaas Megan, where is your coverage through?
6:04pmBrenda they excluded to much coverage
6:05pmMegan Geiger blue shied
6:05pmakscootr some spots I google today didn't have time to see all the details though
6:05pmMegan Geiger like i pay 240 a month
6:05pmKari Quaas @akscootr - Thanks for the link.
6:05pmMegan Geiger and i'm fully covered
6:05pmBrenda wow oh heck no
6:05pmakscootr @ Megan is it portable?
6:05pmBrenda there is no way I am paying that much
6:05pmKate @Brenda I agree
6:05pmKari Quaas I actually used to be the Benefits Specialist at Princess Tours where we covered up to 550 FT employees.
6:05pmBrendan Perrin are you with a plan on your parents megan
6:05pmCelsea Megan, do you have to be a resident of a state to get your blue shield coverage?
6:05pmKate I cannot pay anything close to that
6:06pmMegan Geiger portable ??
6:06pmKari Quaas Seasonal employees were never covered, which was always a question.
6:06pmMegan Geiger yeah neither can i but
6:06pmKate Yellowstone was the only place I saw that had it, I had the insurance for about a year.
6:06pmakscootr yeah take anywhere like a seasonal employee or must do network doctors
6:06pmMegan Geiger its better then paying a 2000 bill
6:06pmCelsea I think by portable, can you carry it state to state? Which is my question too.
6:06pmKate That's why I don't go to the doctor.
6:06pmMegan Geiger oh yes it is
6:06pmKari Quaas I did a bit of Google searches myself and it seems that there are lots of insurance companies who offer individual plans.
6:06pmBrenda I think they really need to start getting a plan in action for the seasonal world better then what they have now
6:06pmMegan Geiger like on blue shield you pick ur dr
6:07pmKate and then all of the restrictions on what doctors you can go to and having to get approval and etc
6:07pmMegan Geiger and all that like its the best
6:07pmDavid I was google searching as well I found individual plans but they all required a stationary address.
6:07pmMegan Geiger Hey roomie
6:07pmCelsea Megan, did you have to declare a state of residency to get your plans!
6:07pmKate But, too, I've fortunately been very healthy
6:07pmCelsea Yes! David, that's my problem too.
6:07pmMegan Geiger yes but ur covered where ever i go
6:07pmKari Quaas @David - That's interesting. I didn't know that they wanted one single address.
6:08pmreggiecohen wish we can do like canada does offer free health for anyone
6:08pmKari Quaas Does the employer address work?
6:08pmakscootr if they offer housing it should because it is also the residential address
6:08pmCelsea Megan, how often do you have to actually BE in your state of residency to be a resident?
6:08pmMegan Geiger Umm i don't think
6:08pmKate you can't use your dorm address as a mailing addy though....
6:09pmMegan Geiger Umm 6 months
6:09pmMegan Geiger I think
6:09pmKate If you had a PO box, maybe...?
6:09pmakscootr @ Celsea... Alaska only 6 months a year..don't know about other states
6:09pmBrenda a lot of people won't take general delivery as your addy
6:09pmMegan Geiger yeah i used my po box
6:09pmCelsea Yeah, they're all different. It's very confusing.
6:09pmMegan Geiger but u have to have phy to prove u have lived there
6:09pmreggiecohen and a lot of people wont take po boxes neither
6:10pmKari Quaas I did want to share, and be sure to right click so you can view this in a new window or tab, but the Association of National Park Ranger (ANPR) seems to offer insurance to seasonal workers.
6:10pmKari Quaas http://www.rangercareers.com/parkrangerarticles/article_healthinsur...
6:10pmCarol ok, even if you can afford a basic plan, how can you be sure its a good company, and if and when you need it , they actually pay up
6:10pmakscootr gracias I'll check it out
6:10pmKate Only for rangers, Kari
6:10pmKari Quaas @Kate - are you sure?
6:10pmKate it said further down they don't offer it for just seasonal employees
6:10pmMegan Geiger but there is no way for them to find out that u have not lived there for that time
6:10pmakscootr :( communism
6:11pmDavid Most park rangers begin their careers as seasonal employees.
6:11pmKari Quaas It's almost like we need a group for all seasonal employees. ;)
6:11pmCelsea Yeah, it would be great if there was insurance that was based Nationally, so it didn't matter what state you live in.
6:11pmKate ok, its confusing...it says it both ways, Kari
6:11pmDavid Unfortunately, the National Park Service doesn’t offer health insurance for seasonal employees.
6:11pmKate even further down than that it sounds like they may. so who knows.
6:11pmKari Quaas Maybe we can all create one big organization and get our own group.
6:11pmakscootr We do have a group Coolworks.com O:-)
6:11pmBrenda there ya go Kari
6:12pmCarol that could work!
6:12pmCelsea I actually found something online this fall about a group trying to get insurance for migrant workers. Seasonal workers are basically living the same way.
6:12pmBrenda call it the seasonal coolworks insurance
6:12pmKari Quaas I will say that those of at at Cool Works do have health insurance, but we even have challenges keeping it affordable because of our small size.
6:12pmKari Quaas I'll see what I can do. ;)
6:12pmCelsea I wonder why insurance companies are state based.
6:12pmakscootr Hmmm it could help I get commissions! lol joking!
6:13pmKate The link Kari provided once I read far enough (LOL at self) sounds like it is worth checking into
6:13pmMegan Geiger there not state based
6:13pmakscootr different laws for different states
6:13pmCarol there are a lot of folks without insurance...this is a national issue....
6:13pmKari Quaas @Celsea - We have that challenge too because now we're not only in Montana and Washington, we're also in Arizona.
6:13pmMegan Geiger bc i moved back and forth
6:13pmMegan Geiger and i was covered
6:13pmKari Quaas @Kate - good!
6:13pmMegan Geiger and everything
6:13pmCelsea that's interesting
6:13pmKate @Kari, yeah, there's hope :)
6:13pmKari Quaas I know that is always the biggest challenge - reading all the way to the end!
6:14pmCelsea Megan, I should find out about your plan. :)
6:14pmKari Quaas I had that challenge all the time when I handled the benefits at Princess.
6:14pmKate @Kari, lol, yep
6:14pmKari Quaas I've always thought to that the key is to know thyself and what you really need when you look at plans.
6:14pmMegan Geiger yeah just go to http://blueshield.com
6:14pmKari Quaas Some may have way more coverage than you need and others simply do not.
6:14pmKari Quaas Hey K
6:15pmBrenda I know what I need dental really bad
6:15pmKathi hey. sorry, late. watching the prez
6:15pmKari Quaas Kathi from Cool Works just hopped on and she has been doing a bunch of research for us at CW.
6:15pmKate @Kari, hard to know what I need, Health needs can and may change drastically but you can't predict how or what
6:15pmKate hi Kathi
6:15pmKari Quaas Absolutely, Kate.
6:15pmKathi hey kate
6:15pmBrenda hi Kathi
6:15pmKari Quaas I think the key, even if you do not have regular health insurance is to get in and get one annual exam so you can have a baseline.
6:15pmMegan Geiger yeah but dental is different than heath
6:16pmMegan Geiger like two different plans
6:16pmKate so here's hoping I just quietly die in my sleep when that final day comes lol
6:16pmKathi he he
6:16pmKathi for dental.
6:16pmKate if I could afford that one annual, sure :)
6:16pmKari Quaas Dental is different and typically, it's way more controllable than your medical health.
6:16pmBrenda the cost nowadays is outrageous though
6:16pmKathi you can go to a teaching University/dental school.
6:16pmKari Quaas @Kate - you're funny. I think we all wish to go that way.
6:16pmKathi it's much cheaper.
6:16pmKate @Kari hehe, yep! :)
6:17pmKari Quaas @Brenda - For medical or dental?
6:17pmKathi also, across the border in Mexico, actually very good dental care and 1/2 the price.
6:17pmBrenda 80 bucks just for a visit here in AZ that does not include the exam
6:17pmCarol Tijauana?
6:17pmakscootr lots in AZ do that go across the border
6:17pmBrenda dental
6:17pmKate Of course, when I worked in Yellowstone, the lingering subconscious thought of "well, if the supervolcano blows..... " he he
6:17pmreggiecohen why do a lot of seasonal job don't offer health coverage for there employees is it because they cant afford or is it because were there only for an short time
6:17pmGary Worked at Big Bend.. Heard the dental care over there is actually better over there for quite a discount.
6:17pmKathi so if you don't have dental insurance, and you need work, crossing the border is not a bad idea.
6:18pmKari Quaas @Reggie - It's really expensive for the employer.
6:18pmCelsea I guess I just have to commit to a state. But that seems so anti-seasonal.
6:18pmKate It'd be really nice to get a checkup.
6:18pmMegan Geiger yeah but heath and dental are two different plans
6:19pmKari Quaas I know that Princess covered a good chunk of the premiums and it still wasn't that inexpensive for the employee.
6:19pmakscootr 2-3 hundred for me in the 90's employer price
6:19pmKari Quaas yep
6:19pmakscootr I couldn't insure anyone because of that
6:19pmKate That's another part of the problem, is that Insurance companies charge so much and make it so difficult.
6:19pmKathi Kate - a check up - how about a women's clinic that charges on scale?
6:19pmreggiecohen cause most of them dont want to pay it unless they have to
6:19pmKate Kathi, I may have to check that out sometime...
6:20pmKate end of this summer possibly once home from AK
6:20pmakscootr No because the small business guy can't afford to
6:20pmKathi Also, if any of you appreciate accupuncture, you should search for what's called a 'community accupuncture clinic' in your area,
6:20pmKathi VERY inexpensive.
6:20pmKari Quaas I do think that another challenge is the misuse of hospitals instead of clinics like Kathi just mentioned.
6:20pmKate I've never liked the idea of skewering myself like a porcupine :D
6:20pmBrenda what exactly would accupuncture do for you though
6:20pmKari Quaas @Kate - : )
6:20pmKathi really? It's actually really relaxing!
6:21pmKathi well depends on what you're issues are.
6:21pmakscootr It would have put me out of business...
6:21pmKate @Kathi :) it's all good...
6:21pmKathi There is a GREAT community accupuncture clinic in tuscon brenda.
6:21pmKathi you should go and check it out
6:21pmBrenda wear can they stop the pain in my mouth
6:21pmKari Quaas I'm really hoping that Obama can somehow push through a basic health plan for all so we can all get at least one exam a year. Preventative medicine is where it's at!
6:21pmakscootr @ Kathi off subject did you try that hike I mentioned @ Desert museum?
6:22pmCarol anybody watch Michael Moore's Sicko?
6:22pmCarol revealing
6:22pmKari Quaas no, not yet
6:22pmBrenda never heard of it
6:22pmKathi I haven't - yet. so much to explore around patagonia
6:22pmKate I dislike Michael Moore....
6:22pmKathi really interesting movie
6:22pmKathi sicko
6:22pmKathi worth watching.
6:22pmKathi he's a nut. but he gets after it.
6:23pmKari Quaas yep
6:23pmKate I believe more balance needs to be shown in debates about the issues he's covered.
6:23pmKathi well that's his schtick
6:23pmKate but that's only my opinion :)
6:23pmKathi but i know what you mean.
6:24pmKathi so there are a lot of peeps in the chat room but only a few chatting. what's up with that yo?
6:24pmKate and I agree with you Kathi about preventative care
6:24pmCelsea Megan, when you move from state to state, do you have to change your plan to a company that's in your new state?
6:24pmDavid Mostly here to see other's opinions and suggestions - I don't know a lot on the subject so I am sitting back reading :)
6:24pmCarol his bottom line,on the health care industry and insurance is to take care of yourself
6:24pmKari Quaas Anyone have any specific questions about healthcare? I would like to offer my ear if you have questions ever since I did work with it for a while.
6:25pmKate I don't have a lot of spare brain power to worry about complexities in health coverage. when/how/who/and all the ins and outs of remembering deductibles, what's allowed, what's not, rules, regs... I just wish there was a way to simplify health care.
6:25pmKari Quaas Regarding the moving from state to state, the main thing is that the insurance company operates in or coordinates with insurance companies in the other states.
6:25pmCelsea I just want to move from state to state without changing companies as I go. But I don't know if there's a "national health insurance plan."
6:25pmakscootr not really...just would like to have affordable but decent insurance. It is the only drawback of seasonal work
6:26pmBrenda ok why do they always have to throw in coverage that u really don't need just to get one that u do need
6:26pmKari Quaas We have Blue Shield of Montana and it works for all of us in 3 different states.
6:26pmKari Quaas I think that the key is that it is a PPO plan.
6:26pmCelsea Kari, I think Blue Shield does that, like Megan said. Are there any other companies you know of?
6:26pmKate and why do they exclude so many of the very conditions that people really need coverage for??
6:26pmKathi cause it's a racket
6:26pmKari Quaas @Brenda - Many things are legislated, another expensive piece of why insurance costs as much as it does.
6:27pmKate @kathi I have called it "Legalized Mafia" in the past.... "you pay for protection, but you don't get the protection."
6:27pmKate lol
6:27pmKari Quaas @Celsea - I'll post a list of links I found via Google. I think that there are several of them.
6:27pmBrenda that's another reason I don't have any, I got tired of paying for what I didn't need
6:27pmCelsea yeah, it's all pretty shady
6:27pmKathi you got that right sista!
6:27pmKate I don't like sounding so negative....it's just frustrating...
6:27pmCelsea thanks, Kari :)
6:27pmCarol and people think they have coverage....then they say" pre existing..."
6:27pmKari Quaas It is frustrating.
6:27pmCarol unless its a broken bone or something
6:28pmCarol which, isn't it the law a hospital can not refuse treatment if its life threatening?
6:28pmakscootr how is pre-existing defined? do I have to declare it or do they arbitrarily point out past damage?
6:28pmKate and all the waiting-period rules.. arghh
6:28pmKari Quaas Brush and floss daily which sounds silly, but it's a huge factor in staying healthy. Why give money to the dentist that you don't need to?
6:28pmKate @Kari I agree
6:28pmBrenda in places like the canyon or Yellowstone there's always the chance of getting up close and too personal with the wild life yet there coverage stinks
6:29pmKate I also am trying to adjust my diet habits to help.
6:29pmKathi there's a lot to be said for personal responsibility
6:29pmKari Quaas @Carol - I believe that certain hospitals must help, but that is another factor of why it gets so expensive for everyone else who is paying for insurance.
6:29pmCelsea Yeah, I never knew flossing was so important until I got a root canal
6:29pmKate I personally think people who deliberately approach the bison definitely have a "pre-existing condition"...mental that is :D
6:29pmKathi exercise, eat right, work to lower your stress level....etc.
6:29pmKari Quaas @Kathi - totally agree
6:30pmKathi brush and floss for instance!
6:30pmKate @Kathi yee haw sister!
6:30pmKathi he he
6:30pmCarol lol Kate
6:30pmBrenda my problem is my fillings fell out and a third tooth chipped at the base and it caused a lot of pain going straight into my ear
6:30pmKate @Brenda owch!
6:30pmCarol they call that Darwinism
6:30pmKari Quaas And, I would like to add that if you are injured while doing your job, you should be covered for Workers Compensation.
6:30pmKate @carol, yes they do
6:30pmreggiecohen but u don't have coverage most places will tell u want u want to hear and let u go
6:30pmKate @Kari, true
6:30pmKari Quaas @Brenda - ouch@
6:31pmKari Quaas @Reggie - are you talking about WC?
6:31pmreggiecohen people without coverage
6:31pmKari Quaas First thing first. If you're hurt on the job, go to the doctor, period.
6:31pmBrenda I know they do have good clinics in Yellowstone
6:32pmGary They have a clinic at South Rim of Grand Canyon also..
6:32pmKate @Brenda depends on who they get in to staff those clinics... one of my friends got maltreated and ended up with multiple surgeries to correct what could have been an easier fix.
6:33pmBrenda in the north rim if you need medical care immediately you have to hop on a helicopter and fly to Kenab
6:33pmKathi and park clinics are expensive
6:33pmKari Quaas @Kate - That's awful.
6:33pmKate Medcor in Yellwostone was ok, cost-wise.
6:33pmCarol oh oh, Kate....that's scary
6:33pmKathi again, for dental - go to a university that offers dental digress.
6:33pmKate @Kari yeah... it SO didn't have to take all the time and money and surgery it did
6:33pmKathi i have friends that go to San Fran for all their dental.
6:33pmakscootr similar happened to me in Denali heard two doctors arguing with each other
6:33pmStovpipe dam its a packed house
6:34pmBrenda wow Kate they must of really changed
6:34pmakscootr both accused the other of incompetence.. unfortunately I was the patient
6:34pmKari Quaas Holy Thunder and Lightning in Seattle!
6:34pmakscootr I didn't go back...
6:34pmKathi bummer scootr
6:34pmKari Quaas WOW!
6:34pmBrenda I had it pretty good when I went to the clinic in old faithfull
6:34pmKate @Brenda it wasn't too bad in 2007-8 but in 2006 the wrong people "treated" my friend....
6:34pmKathi imho...everyone should have insurance.
6:34pmKari Quaas yep
6:35pmKate and it depended on what you were in for...I had to go for the nasty cold that was going around at the time and they did ok
6:35pmKate I agree Kathi
6:35pmBrenda I worked yellowstone from 99 to 2006
6:35pmKathi if you have to , buy a catastrophe policy.
6:35pmKari Quaas The thing is that you just never know what might happen to you.
6:35pmKathi you just have to have it.
6:35pmKathi shit happens.
6:35pmKate Do you remember me yet Brenda? lol
6:35pmKathi jinx kari
6:35pmakscootr Hopefully this summer...
6:35pmBrenda I went in because my breathing
6:35pmBrenda I got an inhaler from them
6:35pmBrenda no
6:36pmKari Quaas :)
6:36pmBrenda ?????????????????????????????????????????
6:36pmKate a reminder..... Barb, tp football, darts, summer 2006
6:36pmKate :D
6:36pmStovpipe football!
6:36pmKari Quaas I don't know why but that phrase always makes me think of Forrest Gump.
6:36pmKate I like Forrest Gump.
6:36pmKari Quaas Me too.
6:36pmKari Quaas Football?
6:37pmKate TP football Kari lol. Brenda was friends with Barb, my roomie in 06
6:37pmKari Quaas Ah...
6:37pmKate and we played TP football in the hall :D
6:37pmKari Quaas Way cool.
6:37pmBrenda omg
6:37pmKate It was fun
6:37pmKate Yeah Brenda :P
6:37pmBrenda now I remember you when you said that
6:37pmBrenda lol
6:37pmKate I thought you would brenda
6:37pmKari Quaas I really wish that I had more to offer or wisdom to share on this subject.
6:38pmBrenda well long time how ya been
6:38pmKate @Kari it's a tough topic, I know
6:38pmKathi so do i
6:38pmLani Sammons I have an individual insurance plan that I cancel and change to another when I move. It's not that great, high deductible ($1500) and the premium is about $150 monthly.
6:38pmreggiecohen brenda u just getting old
6:38pmKate I be good Brenda, I see you have been up to lots here
6:38pmBrenda yeah I am lol
6:38pmKari Quaas It's just plain expensive and I think that the personal responsibility is such a huge part of it and also a bit of luck, either good or bad.
6:38pmBrenda I'm all over this sight lol
6:38pmKathi wow lani. i'm impressed. that's Very responsible.
6:38pmKate yes you are ha ha ha
6:38pmKari Quaas @Lani, that's not too bad. Good for you.
6:38pmKate That is amazing Lani
6:39pmBrenda so you still going back to Yellowstone
6:39pmKathi can you post the link to your insurance ?
6:39pmKathi lani?
6:39pmKate no Brenda I am going to AK for this summer
6:39pmKathi what company?
6:39pmLani Sammons Yeah, well, I'm old and I need to get in my annual
6:39pmBrenda whooohoooo I was looking into AK at first
6:39pmLani Sammons I use http://ehealthinsurance.com , but I think there are others
6:40pmBrenda but got the offer to go back to the North rim, they actually like me there lol
6:40pmKate I am so excited. That's going to relieve my stress and hence, keep me healthier :)
6:40pmKate cool, Brenda
6:40pmBrenda did u stay in touch with Barb
6:40pmKari Quaas @Lani, that is one of the links I found on Google.
6:40pmLani Sammons I also go to mexico for dental. The best crown I ever received was is mexico
6:40pmKate I haven't. she wrote a couple of times in 06 but I am horrible at letter writing
6:40pmKathi lani. You da One!!!
6:40pmKathi where in MX?
6:40pmCarol where in Mexico, Lani?
6:41pmLani Sammons @Kari, They are pretty big. I get my kids policies thru them also
6:41pmCarol Names, places....
6:41pmKate If I end up going to Cali in some future year maybe I'll check out Mexico
6:41pmBrenda I never did stay in contact with anyone that summer
6:41pmKari Quaas @Lani - Cool.
6:41pmCarol :-!
6:41pmakscootr how to contact reputable dentists in mexico?
6:41pmCelsea Lani, why do you change it every time you move?
6:41pmreggiecohen so kari whats next week chat is going to be about
6:41pmKari Quaas Size matters when it comes to insurance.
6:41pmKari Quaas Good question Reggie!
6:41pmLani Sammons @Kathi, I go to a doc in Nogales for dental (about an hour and half south of Tucson)
6:41pmKari Quaas Thinking about camps
6:41pmKathi akscootr...i can get you the name of a dentist in nogales if you want it.
6:42pmKathi i'll email it to you.
6:42pmBrenda Ghost stories from the national parks lol
6:42pmakscootr I know Nogales thanks for info.
6:42pmKari Quaas Any burning questions, all?
6:42pmKate ha ha ha Brenda
6:42pmKathi my friends LOVE this clinic and have ton of work done
6:42pmKari Quaas Any topics you want to talk about next week?
6:42pmLani Sammons @Celsea, state to state have different laws and the insurance usually doesn't follow
6:42pmakscootr Yes please @ Kathi...
6:42pmakscootr :0
6:42pmKathi will do
6:42pmKate @Kari, till we see what Obama and Congress/Senate do about it, I guess I don't have any q's lol
6:42pmGary How about chatting about winter jobs.....Next week a lot of us are interested I believe.
6:42pmKate ah topics!!!!
6:42pmreggiecohen maybe u out to do one on why we choose our locations for our summer jobs
6:42pmKari Quaas @Gary - good one.
6:42pmreggiecohen should
6:43pmLani Sammons @celsea, if you change your address, the insurance will usually send you a cancellation notice
6:43pmKate Yeah, what about finding a nice tropical job? I see there aren't any on here
6:43pmKari Quaas @Reggie - also a good one
6:43pmKate for winter I'd love to go work in Hawaii
6:43pmakscootr How about some caribbean/out of U.S. work sometime?
6:43pmBrenda or what about what really interest people about seasonal work
6:43pmKari Quaas @Kate - They pop up every once in a while
6:43pmKate @scootr yepper
6:43pmLani Sammons Winter jobs...yes
6:43pmBrenda Kate hold on I am coming with you
6:43pmStovpipe so how do u guys get insurance for seasonal
6:43pmKate lol Brenda
6:44pmKari Quaas So top 3 topics - Winter Jobs, Tropical Jobs and why you chose the job you did for the summer of 2009. Sound good?
6:44pmakscootr St. thomas/Virgin Isles..
6:44pmKate Sounds great Kari :)
6:44pmKari Quaas :)
6:44pmLani Sammons Sounds good
6:44pmKate scootr yes! That'd rock too
6:44pmBrenda yeppers
6:45pmKari Quaas @Stovpipe - There are a bunch of links throughout this chat that I'll post later of ideas for getting health insurance.
6:45pmakscootr :-)
6:45pmStovpipe ok cool kari , i was out to dinner so i missed the good stuff :(
6:45pmKari Quaas Any one have any job offers now?
6:46pmKari Quaas What's the word?
6:46pmKate I am going to work at MPL this summer
6:46pmKari Quaas Are employers being quick in getting back to you?
6:46pmStovpipe
6:46pmBrenda I am going to the North rim for my second year
6:46pmKari Quaas Cool, cool, cool.
6:46pmKate Yes they were, Kari
6:46pmGary North 'Rim
6:46pmDavid I am waiting to get a call back from MPL ( or a declined email :( )
6:46pmakscootr nooo Aramark I think got mad, but wanted me to wait too long
6:46pmKari Quaas You guys at the North Rim will have to get a BIG group photo!
6:46pmKate I am also planning to Blog about it as time allows
6:46pmKari Quaas @David - good luck!
6:46pmBrenda lets see I filled out the app and two days later I got a call, yeah pretty quick
6:47pmKate yes good luck, David
6:47pmKari Quaas @Kate - Yes, please do.
6:47pmKate lol coool Brenda
6:47pmDavid Thank you.
6:47pmakscootr Xanterra was very quick
6:47pmKate Xanterra's a good company imo
6:47pmKari Quaas As Akscootr reminded me, we'll be doing a photo contest again this summer to see the best of what's out there so stay tuned.
6:47pmKari Quaas It will probably be in July.
6:47pmKate Cool, Kari!
6:47pmGary North Rim still hiring... need 230 employees already have 190. Need 40 mor e people...
6:47pmKari Quaas It was a lot of fun last year.
6:47pmakscootr :) Now I'm happy :)
6:48pmStovpipe Xanterra pay sucks
6:48pmKate ditto.
6:48pmKate ditto happy that is
6:48pmKari Quaas Also, we would love to get together with CW fans when /where we can. Most likely this would be in Yellowstone since we're close to there so keep that in mind too.
6:48pmKate a coolworks gathering in ystone would rock!
6:49pmBrenda yeah Reggie you need to change your mind and come on up to the NR
6:49pmStovpipe I"m down for that , make sure its in the off season ;)
6:49pmKari Quaas They do have a big festival in Gardiner and Bill usually gets a table so you can find him there for sure.
6:49pmakscootr @vKari remember the prize suggestions>=-)
6:50pmKate (")_(")
6:51pmKate thanks stov!
6:51pmKari Quaas How do you do the bunny rabbit?
6:51pmStovpipe < buying a coolworks license plate cover :D
6:51pmKate LOL Kari!!!!
6:51pmKate use the face to the left of the chat line Kari ha ha ha
6:51pmKari Quaas :-0
6:51pmStovpipe yw kate
6:51pmBrenda you guys have coolworks long sleeve shirts
6:51pmKate ;-D
6:51pmKari Quaas I'm a little slow sometimes....
6:51pmKate is ok Kari you are Human yay
6:51pmKari Quaas @Brenda - yes there are some long sleeves.
6:51pmKari Quaas hee hee
6:52pmKate and not some online Bot ;)
6:52pmakscootr sorry got kicked off :(
6:52pmStovpipe kate , where are u heading this summer ?
6:52pmKari Quaas :#)
6:52pmKate wb scootr
6:52pmCarol wb scott
6:52pmKate Alaska stov
6:52pmBrenda Think I am gonna take it with me to the north rim and advertise to all the guest
6:52pmStovpipe thats cool, to denali ?
6:52pmKate yes stov
6:52pmKari Quaas Yay, Brenda!
6:52pmreggiecohen kate u going to denali
6:52pmKari Quaas We can also do custom items too if you work with Patty.
6:52pmKate yes reggie
6:53pmBrenda I'll be you alls link up this way lol
6:53pmreggiecohen me to
6:53pmKate really, Kari? neat
6:53pmKari Quaas Email - patty@coolworks.com
6:53pmreggiecohen what position
6:53pmKate gift shop
6:53pmStovpipe cool Kate , i'll be heading to NR my self , first summer there for me
6:53pmakscootr :)
6:53pmKate cool, stov
6:53pmKari Quaas @Kate - yep - Check out Erin's sweatshirt and Begee's shirt.
6:53pmBrenda gee Kate you sure like the gift shop lol
6:53pmKari Quaas They list every place they worked. They're pretty cool.
6:53pmKate how do I check those out Kari?
6:53pmreggiecohen princess or aramark
6:53pmakscootr catching up--yes on YS gathering that would be cool
6:53pmpatty hello everyone
6:53pmBrenda brb
6:53pmKate Retail has been my career for 20+ years Brenda :P
6:53pmBrenda hi patty
6:53pmCarol all for the gathering
6:53pmKate Princess
6:54pmreggiecohen aramark for me
6:54pmKari Quaas http://cafepress.com/coolworks
6:54pmBrenda well I am going into retail for my first time this year at the north rim
6:54pmBrenda there puttin me in the general store
6:54pmKari Quaas I liked their store at the NR.
6:54pmKate very cool, Brenda
6:55pmStovpipe is there fun stuff to buy at nr
6:55pmBrenda when did you go there Kari
6:55pmKate nice shirts, Kari. very good looking
6:55pmKari Quaas I bought a cool ring there. A gal from eastern Europe helped me. : )
6:55pmKari Quaas 2006
6:55pmKari Quaas We did a mountain bike trip with Western Spirit.
6:55pmBrenda well come on up and visit us this season
6:55pmKari Quaas It was AWESOME!
6:55pmKate someday I want to do a raft trip down the Grand Canyon.
6:55pmKari Quaas Me too.
6:55pmStovpipe I'll join u kate
6:56pmKate and a road trip down Route 66.
6:56pmBrenda I almost ran over a whole bike company last year
6:56pmKate lol Brenda
6:56pmKate a group road trip would be fun
6:56pmakscootr me 2 :)
6:56pmKari Quaas yikes
6:56pmStovpipe we should all try to find a summer where could be in the same park
6:56pmKari Quaas That would be cool.
6:56pmKate OY, Vey lol
6:56pmBrenda well they all jumped right in front of the van as I was starting to pull away
6:57pmakscootr sounds like an in-between season gathering would be a good idea
6:57pmKate @scootr yeah
6:57pmStovpipe like YS or even Death valley or some place in the middle of the US
6:57pmpatty o boy fun
6:57pmGary Meet in Gardiner and haave buffalo burgers...
6:57pmCarol would that be November?
6:57pmBrenda never seen so many bikes scatter that quick lol
6:57pmBrenda then the dirty looks
6:57pmKari Quaas @Brenda - deary me
6:58pmCarol lol....
6:58pmKate lol Kari "deary me" he he
6:58pmakscootr @ Carol yeppers good time
6:58pmDavid I don't think gathering in the death valley sounds like any fun :-!
6:58pmKate meet in West Yellowstone and have pizza at the Gusher
6:58pmKate lol
6:58pmBrenda keep the gathering in wyoming
6:58pmBrenda home sweet home
6:59pmKari Quaas I always feel like sharing from Car Talk at this point in the chat. "Well, you've squandered away another hour......" But I'm really so glad you're here!!!!!
6:59pmKate lol Kari
6:59pmKate I am glad that you are glad, Kari
6:59pmBrenda lol
6:59pmKari Quaas I am always amazed how quickly an hour goes.
6:59pmakscootr :)
6:59pmStovpipe me four
6:59pmKate me three
6:59pmKari Quaas hee hee
6:59pmBrenda that's been an hour wow
7:00pmakscootr time is not squandered here...all friends
7:00pmKate an Hour of Meaningful Chat
7:00pmBrenda time flies when your havin fun
7:00pmKari Quaas So the next few weeks we'll talk about winter jobs, how we chose our summer jobs and tropical jobs.
7:00pmKathi with meaningful people
7:00pmKate CoolChat© he he
7:00pmakscootr all same kind of people... Coolworkers :)
7:00pmKari Quaas @akscootr - Oh I know. Have you ever listened to Car Talk?
7:00pmStovpipe ya'll need to come in more often then just on monday nights
7:00pmakscootr no but read the articles
7:01pmKate I've read their newspaper column Kari
7:01pmBrenda hey did the everglades ever open most of the park back up
7:01pmKari Quaas They always end the show with that line. They're so funny..
7:01pmKari Quaas @Brenda - not sure
7:01pmKari Quaas @Kathi - do you know?
7:01pmKathi do i know what?
7:01pmKathi sorry
7:02pmreggiecohen from what i herd last week they still remolding
7:02pmBrenda I used to see them listed all the time but since the damage they closed a lot of it down and nothing further about it
7:02pmKari Quaas anything about the Everglades - see Brenda's ?
7:02pmMegan Geiger hey everyone
7:02pmKate hi Megan
7:02pmKari Quaas Hi Megan
7:02pmKathi megan
7:02pmBrenda hey Megan
7:02pmDavid Welcome back megan
7:02pmakscootr Hi megan...
7:02pmMegan Geiger sorry i lost service
7:03pmakscootr bummer happened to me in middle of the chat
7:03pmKari Quaas It happens.
7:03pmStovpipe never happens to me
7:03pmKate 8-) @scootr so what were your suggestions for prizes??? lol
7:03pmDavid lol
7:03pmKari Quaas I'll post the transcript shortly. Do check out the link for the ANPR insurance.
7:04pmakscootr heh heh heh part merchandise, the other suggestion was a joke.... not really printable
7:04pmKate oh, ok
7:04pmKate whew
7:04pmKate :P
7:04pmakscootr >=-) but sooo much fun
7:04pmKari Quaas hee hee
7:05pmKate whuh oh. methinks I shouldnta asked ha ha
7:05pmBrenda well thankyou coolworks for another good chat night
7:05pmKari Quaas Have a good one everyone! Like I said earlier, I'm so glad you come and chat.
7:05pmKate bye bye brenda
7:05pmCarol good chat
7:05pmKari Quaas Thanks, Brenda!
7:05pmKate yes thanks Kari
7:05pmKate gr8 chat
7:05pmKari Quaas YW
7:05pmakscootr feeding my sometimes obnoxious sense of humor
7:05pmKari Quaas :)
7:05pmKate lol scootr
7:05pmBrenda :-D see ya later Kate
7:05pmakscootr cheers brenda
7:05pmKate yes Brenda :)
7:05pmGary Au Revoir
7:05pmBrenda u to ak
7:05pmKari Quaas Hasta la vista!
7:06pmBrenda lol
7:06pmKate bye all
7:06pmCarol hasta la pasta.....
7:06pmakscootr bye kate :)
7:06pmKari Quaas I love hasta la pasta. I say that all the time. ;)
7:06pmCarol hehehehe... its a chef thing, no?