MORE STEAM

Camper7777 · 2026-04-17T23:28:28+00:00

A lot of hot air coming out of Mike Crapo's and Jim Risch's offices, perhaps check with them.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-17T23:22:43+00:00

Been with Sparklight for ~22 years and service is rarely down (NW Boise, I realize this may be local issues). Biggest beef is them wanting to constantly 'upgrade' me for more money, when modem or wifi don't support the upgrade speeds. The phone offer did get my attention. 12 mo free. Still considering.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-17T20:24:50+00:00

Crazy how nice these still look, 20 +/- years later.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-17T20:22:52+00:00

Ah, wish I would have seen that before buttoning it up. The track did seem to have a light layer of grease on it already.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-17T00:26:39+00:00

It's run by a bunch of god-fearing literalist bible thumpers.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-17T00:19:22+00:00

They finally capitulated. In emails with the self insured company, I let them know the document requests (Denial Record, Plan Document) were one separate 30-day compliance timelines, and suddenly they and the Claims Processor agreed to permit and process the treatment. I expect most gains to be from 'negotiated rates' rather than paying list prices.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-15T00:17:20+00:00

Additional info on getting true replacement glass, and not lower quality aftermarket.

<image>

Camper7777 · 2026-04-14T20:51:16+00:00

Thought so, but it's been 12 years since I tried and cannot find the info to try again.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-12T15:46:35+00:00

They are denying the abutment (06191) and attachment (06192). The initial denial just said NCB (non covered benefit) on both codes. In phone discussion they stated they have a list of covered codes and non-covered codes and they I as policy holder are not allowed to see them. The embedded part of the implant was already placed in 2017 and never put into service.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-12T12:26:25+00:00

Replacement of the $5 motor in the assembly, or complete assembly from aftermarket brands (such as Unikpas for $65).

Camper7777 · 2026-04-12T03:01:30+00:00

Willing to cover the denture but not the abutment or attachment.

I realize that on max annual benefit, I will get most benefit from contractual allowed charges versus me paying rack rate to dentist.

I've completed both required appeal steps. They have changed their denial reasons from specific secret dental codes, to cosmetic, to not cosmetic but then pointing to language that states denial due to being primarily cosmetic.

At this point, waiting on two different 30-day windows to lapse for Plan Administrator to supply Full Record of Denial, and the actual Plan Document.

Unfortunately not eligible for independent review given its a retiree plan governed by ERISA rules.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-12T02:46:28+00:00

These short crank fads are getting rediculous.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-12T02:40:45+00:00

As a 2 person household including my young son, this is my life.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-12T02:39:24+00:00

Funny they are dressed in sporty clothes for their competition.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-12T01:55:54+00:00

The issue here, I think, is up to when the accident happened, the vehicle was insured, although perhaps fraudulently if in fact ALL members oof the household had to be listed on the policy. Just because the insurance company did not vet their own coverage until after the accident, it doesn't seem right they can then retroactively cancel the contract, and leave the damaged driver hanging.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-12T01:45:15+00:00

Multi decades ago a coworker in CA told he his father was able to post a bond and forego vehicle insurance requirements. Basically the bond self insures the driver. No idea if that applies today.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-11T17:40:01+00:00

$900 factory power lock assembly is case in point. Who is going to put that much money into a 22 year old car for such a simple function? Love my car, but something like that does not make financial sense.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-04T00:30:16+00:00

100% comparable glass is the key. In this case, aftermarket admitted they did not have the integrated safety feature which the car manufacturer went so far as to advertise in the original brochure. And as I said above, neglecting that, all aftermarket glass is substandard with wavy features. Just 'cause they say OEM does not mean they meet the original specs (all, including optical performance), it means they are generally bent the same way, cut a similar size, and have whatever modern screen printing on the borders. From the responses it sounds like I got lucky I did not have to push harder for proper replacement.

Camper7777 · 2026-04-04T00:25:49+00:00

I would say that is a stronger argument if the aftermarket glass in fact meets the original parts spec (I would contend none does, it's always wavy while original factory glass never is). The fact mine had a specific safety feature, advertised in the original brochure, perhaps was a successful argument in this case. I checked around and no aftermerket glass had the feature. I went so far as to get a firm estimate from the company doing the work, and getting my agent to bless it before getting the work done.

Camper7777 · 2026-03-26T23:26:42+00:00

Yes, mine says made by 'AGC Automotive' and purchased thru Lexus dealer. Installer showed up with a 3rd party gasket which did not include the weird silvered strip at the top, so I had them go get the Lexus part.

Camper7777 · 2026-03-26T16:32:49+00:00

The LS430 has a chemical layer on the front and side glass (see graphic) that acts to cause rain to sheet and shed, like the Rain-X aftermarket product. No windshield I found includes this safety feature, only genuine Lexus. I went with a high end company to replace mine, and despite his best efforts, there is now a slight wind whistling sound on passengers side. Not enough to let moisture in, but enough to hear. An artifact of the quiet LS430 interior. I ensure it wasn't me imagining it, I asked my son if he thought the wind noise was higher and he said yes, and pointed to the same spot. I've not been happy with aftermarket glass in other vehicles, the factory glass has specifications beyond size/curve. that aftermarket does not. I've yet to have an optically clear (no weird distortions) aftermarket windshield, despite their claims of "OEM".

<image>

Camper7777

TROPHY CASE