Insurance.
Zak is starting a new job in August and with that comes new insurance. Are you familiar with the HIPAA laws? Probably parts of it, like we were, but perhaps not all of it. See, local or state government employers (i.e. public schools) are not required to follow HIPAA and can choose which parts of the law to follow. Hinsdale Schools have chosen not to follow many parts of it including the part that says preexisting conditions (i.e. pregnancy) must be covered, if the patient is continuously insured. So, this pregnancy and all things pregnancy related are not covered by insurance. Sucks, doesn’t it? Sounds illegal, doesn’t it? It’s not. (I know this is the liberalism in me, but isn’t it ironic that the government makes these laws, but then says that they don’t have to follow it.)
Fortunately, COBRA exists we’ll be able to carry over Zak’s old insurance at a hefty price tag, but it’s better than paying for this all out of pocket. In addition, we haven’t lost sight of the fact that at the end of this, we’re going to have an amazing baby to love and share our life with. We’ll just be eating a lot of Ramen Noodles.
