The least I can do...

It's been a while since I've posted here.  Not much happening for my family on the Disney front, at least until last month, when we spent a week at Aulani, the DVC resort on Oahu.  I do plan on writing at least one post on that subject, but lately my internet presence has been focused on learning as much as I can about self- or indie-publishing, with the goal of taking that plunge myself as I begin to publish some of the many things I've written over the years. 

Today, while reading the blogs I study with respect to self-publishing and writing, I came across this entry:

David Farland’s Daily Kick in the Pants—Health Insurance for Writers

David Farland has written many novels and stories in the Star Wars universe.  With the ties to Disney (re: Disney now owning the Star Wars properties), I thought that this tale might be of interest to anyone who might still be reading my blog.  If you haven't looked at the article, it seems the Farland family has mounting medical bills due to no insurance and a terrible accident involving their son.

According to the article, Mr. Farland has been denied coverage because he is a well-controlled diabetic. 

It seems that the moral of the story is to not seek medical care until it is too late for any manageable health conditions because if you are aware of an issue, you WILL be denied or dropped from your insurance.

I know of a situation where two partners were applying for life insurance.  They were in similar situations, around the same age, and if anything, one was in better physical condition than the other.  One had gone through one of those "heartcheck" tests and had been found to have some propensity to heart disease, so he had changed his diet, began an exercise program and was now in the best shape he had been in for years.  The other had never been checked in that manner.  When it came time to get this life insurance (a business thing; they both needed it), the partner who had never gone through the tests but who was a little overweight and more out of shape was offered the policy immediately.  The partner who had been tested and who was taking lifestyle steps to make himself much healthier was not offered coverage immediately, and when he did get the coverage, it was a thousand dollars a year more expensive.  Shortsighted of the insurance companies, perhaps, but it's the way they do business.

My own thoughts on the matter are that you should have a financial plan with savings started as early as possible, the minute you start bringing home a paycheck.  "Pay yourself first" is a good principle, even if it's just 20 dollars every two weeks to start.  It's a habit to get into.  Also, if one person is "not insurable" for any reason, the others in the family should be insured anyway. 

Read over Mr. Farland's article, and donate or buy one of his books if you'd like.  And look at your own situation, and don't let it get the best of you.

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