I think I have finally consolidated/closed out the last of the accounts from our worker bee days. Now it’s a matter of tracking the progress online to confirm everything was indeed closed out as expected.

I can’t help but wonder:

(1) Why can I open an account online, but have to spend 10 minutes talking to a human when I want to close it? Can’t I just fill out a form and click submit?

(2) Why do companies have to issue a physical check when rolling over retirement funds from a 401k/403b to an IRA in a trustee to trustee transfer? Wouldn’t electronic transfer be faster and more secure?

The health insurance coverage from active employee to COBRA status is still in process. Benefit elections have been confirmed. Payment has been deducted from our checking account, but has yet to be reflected on the insurance company’s portal. Craziness. Why can’t I pay my premiums via credit card? I can pay all my other medical expenses by credit card. Miles or points would be a very nice reward!

Too much thinking about this stuff for one day.

Back to quilting.

I actually thought my lunch bag days were behind me when I stopped teaching. Prior to COVID, we often did a potluck spread and shared snacks during classes and sew-ins. Nowadays, sew days and day-long classes necessitate bringing your own lunch, snacks and drinks. Glad I hung onto to this insulated lunch bag and accessories! It gets used every Friday for my sew day at the public library!

I forgot how much paperwork is involved with the benefits side of the transaction once you leave an employer. I’ve received at least one piece of benefits-related mail every day for the past two weeks – most of it continuation notices required by law.

The long awaited COBRA packet for our health insurance coverage arrived today – a month sooner than expected. Did my reaching out to plan reps in June and July speed up the process? I have no idea. Anyhow, I wasted no time in making my elections and paying the first premium payment. Hopefully, everything posts properly on Monday and we show coverage effective 9/1. My current coverage expires at the end of August.

Under COBRA, you have 60 days to decide whether or not you want to keep the health insurance coverage that you had with your former employer. Once your coverage as an active employee ends, you move to an inactive status with the insurance company. What this basically means is you have no insurance coverage until you fill out the election form and pay the required premiums. Your insurance is then reinstated retroactively. It can be a real hassle if you need care during the COBRA election period because you are essentially a self-pay patient until the insurance is turned back on. You can get reimbursed after the fact, but I sought to avoid this hassle, if at all possible. COBRA continuation coverage was our only option because hubby requires specialty care and MD Anderson does not accept ACA insurance plans. Assuming all systems are go on Monday, I’ll be scheduling the remaining medical appointments on my list.

What a difference a year makes! Exactly one year ago, I began the master to-do list so hubby could begin his escape from corporate life. Little did we know I would also be joining him! COBRA continuation coverage is one key piece of the puzzle that made this whole thing possible. I am so grateful for it.