Today I’m going to rant about insurance in general and health insurance in particular. As many are aware, I have a few things going on right now that seem to be kicking me in the rear-end. Receiving a letter from our health insurance company yesterday, regarding an audit, did not improve things at all.

You may have ascertained that I am not a fan of health insurance companies. The reason is that they have many, many loopholes to avoid paying on a claim, yet take the money of hardworking Americans in order to…pay millions to the head honchos, of course!

I can go to a reputable clinic staffed by an excellent physician, and pay $40 for a walk-in appointment; I can now, under this health plan, go to another physician, after waiting weeks or months for an appointment, and pay only $15. Same results, but I don’t have to actually be dying in order to see the first one very quickly. Oh, and for the privilege of paying that $15, I also pay about $500 per month. Let’s see, that comes to, for my family of five, assuming we each go to a doctor twice a year – $6150. Or $400. Gosh, can we say “rip-off”??

What about “big” things? I’d wager that the average person has NO “big things” on an annual basis; in fact, last year my husband had a procedure that, without insurance, would have cost us about $3000. He won’t be having that this year, of course, so you see where I’m coming from, right?

Sure, there’s the possibility, but really – that’s what the health insurance industry counts on. Not to mention we hear, all the time, about health care horror stories, but rarely about the relationship between fees charged and actual cost.

My latest gripe is this letter we received yesterday: the company wants “proof” that all dependents are eligible to be insured. Um, let’s see, you’ve been insuring us for three years or more, and NOW you want “proof”?

So they want a copy of our marriage certificate; fine, that was twelve years ago and I don’t know anyone who carries a copy of that around with them – but I do, thankfully. Of course, we could have divorced, they didn’t ask about that. Besides, they also asked for a copy of our tax return. Again, same point.

And they want the kids’ birth certificates. Fortunately, I found all of them too – but in this state it can take two months to receive a copy, so what happens to those who DON’T have them? Especially since the deadline is in 30 days?

Basically, I had to take an hour out of my day to find and copy and prepare to mail all this ridiculous documentation. Some of which, like my daughter’s proof of college attendance, they already had; of course, it took three faxes to take care of that back in January.

But here’s the real kicker: they said to black out our SSNs, etc., even thought they ALREADY HAVE THIS information. Huh?

Okay, it’s an audit – how about WE request an audit on the cost of healthcare? On the cost of their insurance? How about someone tell us just how much is the company’s “share” of this cost? How about we question why the head honcho of THIS company, who makes several million annually, has HIS insurance premiums fully paid by that company?

No wonder the country’s falling apart.

Tonight I’ll be visiting my son at the Detention Center. He said he wanted me to come, but even if he hadn’t, I’d still go. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays; these are the only times, for thirty minutes each visit.

I talked to him last night. He was upset, for a few minutes, when the judge gave the order for him to stay until his hearing in just over two weeks. From what the officers told me, he was fine shortly thereafter.

He won’t admit he did anything wrong – none of it, at least over the last few weeks. He insists he’s a victim. I truly expected more.

I expected that a kid, almost any kid, to be a bit scared and nervous and flustered when kept in detention; I expected some humility. What I received was just more anger, more denial, more lies.

Of course, according to him, it’s “my” fault. “Everyone” said he should go home but I; this is not true, and he’s admitted that to his caseworker. I simply said I could not make the decision, and asked the judge to do so. He did.

Visiting in the Juvenile Detention Center must be very similar to doing so in almost any jail. I have to admit, I’ve never done this before. After going through building security and giving your name and the name of the child, you sign in; I forgot to sign out, but so did the other parents. Maybe that’s not a requirement.

When the Center is ready, the parents go upstairs as a group; you aren’t allowed to use cell phones, or the bathrooms, during visiting hours. Once the parents are in the waiting room, and the kids have been notified, a guard locks the room and sits outside in the hallway. Then the kids come into the room.

Sadly, there were only four parents there; two of them were a couple, visiting both of their boys. We spread out around the room to have a modicum of privacy.

My boy answered all my questions, and things became more comfortable fairly quickly. He said the bed was too hard, the pillow too thin, the food was bad. But they do keep the kids busy, studying, recreation, art, and so forth. His DJO suggested he do some tutoring, because many of the kids can’t read or do simple math even.

He asked about his job(s) and taking his GED; he asked about his brother and dad. Most of his conversation, when not answering my questions, had to do with him trying to get out early and who he (and I) should talk to. I was very noncommittal.

There was no remorse, or apology. No fear, no obvious discomfort other than physical.

I’ll go back today. And every day that I can or that he wants me to come. We’ll see. And hope for the best.