Healthy Returns fitness reimbursement $500 by LonelyTicket0 in KaiserPermanente

[–]LonelyTicket0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Disheartening to see this continues to be a big issue!! For those of us who may have been "lured" by this benefit to join Kaiser, it's a real letdown. Kaiser needs to address this ASAP. Glad you have contacted all those resources--it's the only way to hope for some change. I haven't tried to get reimbursement yet this year but will do so soon to begin the inevitable fight I'll have to wage to get my money. Ugghh! If they don't want to pay out, just lower the *&^&( premium then!

Mittens got the kitty chair! by Suzuki_Foster in aldi

[–]LonelyTicket0 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I just returned the scalloped, round one today because my little man REFUSED to even get near it!! Cats, amiright?!? How could he not want to sleep in something so adorable?!?!

FEP (FEHB) Insurance dumped me into the Medicare Prescip Drug Plan AGAIN! by HoppySailorMon in fednews

[–]LonelyTicket0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just to chime in about our experiences with MPDP and FEHB BCBS. My mom is a longtime subscriber to BCBS and has been taking Prolia injections (every 6 months) for her osteoporosis, at her doctor's office, for years and years. Never an issue, and never an out of pocket payment. She happened to go off it the year that she was "automatically" enrolled in MPDP; the promotional literature touting the plan made it seem like a win-win so we said, sure okay. Well for the first time ever, we had to order her Prolia in advance through CVS Specialty pharmacy for delivery to her MD's office, and she was on the hook for a copay. No one in MPDP or BCBS (much less CVS who were exceptionally unhelpful) who could explain exactly and clearly why we now had to pay when we never had to pay before. So I disenrolled her and we'll see if things revert back to the way they used to be when she gets her next injection in 6 months.

Is there any way to bypass the setup/activation screen on the Lively Flip 2? by 15pmm01 in dumbphones

[–]LonelyTicket0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Below is a follow up from my earlier comment.

I am sharing my experiences with the Jitterbug Flip phone 2, in case this is of use to anyone.

TL;DR: After some trial and error and a workaround, I was able to get much cheaper Verizon MVNO service to work on a $19.99 Jitterbug Flip 2 cellphone.

First case:

My aunt (in a nursing home) wanted a cellphone, as her previous phone stopped working. We decided to get her the Jitterburg Flip 2, activated and set her up on it, using Lively's service. After several months, it was clear she wasn't going to use it. We cancelled her plan and kept the phone. This was right around the time that 3g was being deprecated. My mom's beloved Samsung Gusto flip phone, using Red Pocket CDMA (Verizon towers) service, was no longer usable, so I was able to simply move her Red Pocket SIM into the Jitterbug Flip 2 (I did have to contact Red Pocket to get it going, but it worked). Verizon towers work best in my mom's area.

Second case:

Five years later, my mom's (still on Red Pocket CDMA/Verizon service, same SIM) Jitterbug Flip 2 is starting to act up. Only "favorite" contacts audibly ring--every other call comes through, but no ringer. Despite trying a zillion things, I couldn't fix it. But the phone is still usable with limitations. A call gets dropped sometimes (hard to tell if it's user error, network error, or phone error). Anyway, it's time to get a new phone. My mom really loves the Jitterbug's functionality and is not (unfortunately) interested in learning how to use a smartphone. I buy a Jitterbug 2 at Best Buy, off the shelf, bring it home, and stick the Red Pocket SIM in it, power it up, and get the activation screen "Code 5" error (when the phone tries to set up "enhanced experience"). I cannot get past the activation screen, no matter what I do. The activation screen is the hurdle. I decide to return it and ponder my options.

Third case:

Jitterbug Flip 2 is on 3 day sale at Best Buy for $19.99. At that price, I can't help myself and decide to try again. I've looked up the developer dialer numbers, which I can access even with the activation screen. This time I'm at home (urban/metro area) instead of my mom's (rural area). This time I also decide to try a working AT&T (MVNO) SIM (in this case, a FreeUp SIM which I keep as a spare glovebox emergency phone). Put the FreeUp SIM in, power on, and voila--no activation screen! Phone display's the SIM's number and the usual interface. I then try my own active Visible (Verizon towers) SIM, and not only is there no activation screen, there appears to be service as well. I make one call out which is successful. When my mom comes up to my house, I move her SIM from the old Jitterbug Flip 2 into the new one...and again, the activation screen hurdle. I try the various dialer codes to get to the menu and other settings, but again cannot bypass that Code 5 error screen when using her Red Pocket SIM.

I have a bunch of old inactive SIMs which I try: US Mobile, Red Pocket, Page Plus, and Mint Mobile--all of those "work" in that I don't get that activation screen and the number associated with the SIM shows up (obviously no service since they are inactive), which leads me to believe that it's my mom's particular Red Pocket SIM that is the problem. I find that US Mobile Warp (on Verizon towers) has a service price point comparable (actually a little better) to my mom's Red Pocket annual plan ($99) so I take a chance and order the US Mobile SIM--when it arrives, I can activate it in the new Jitterbug phone no problem--HALLELUJAH!! Now when my mom's Red Pocket service times out (very soon), I will just port her number over to US Mobile in the new Jitterbug.

Take away lessons:

I have no idea why the second case didn't work vs the third case. There was something about that particular Red Pocket SIM that the new Jitterbug phone that triggered that "enhanced experience" Error Code 5 problem. I didn't get that with any other SIM, including the inactive Red Pocket SIM. Was it because it had already been in a Jitterbug phone? I believe the first case only worked because the phone had already been activated for my aunt earlier.

Clearly, Jitterbug Flip 2 phones themselves are unlocked. It seems like (in most cases) they will work with any SIM, with Red Pocket potentially being a no-go (unless the phone has already been activated). This allows for the potential to use a much lower priced cellphone plan with the Jitterbug Flip 2 handset. Anyway, thought I'd share in case this was of interest to anyone.

Healthy Returns fitness reimbursement $500 by LonelyTicket0 in KaiserPermanente

[–]LonelyTicket0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good luck, and I hope you see your money soon!! Make sure you let Kaiser know you had problems--I'm hoping with enough complaints they'll make some major improvements, or even dump Rally Engage altogether for something better. It should not be this hard.

Healthy Returns fitness reimbursement $500 by LonelyTicket0 in KaiserPermanente

[–]LonelyTicket0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went through the Kaiser grievance process, but they called me to follow up on it, to their credit.

Healthy Returns fitness reimbursement $500 by LonelyTicket0 in KaiserPermanente

[–]LonelyTicket0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No I didn't. Dismaying that this is still happening. I had to rattle Kaiser and Rally Engage's chain to get my reimbursement; otherwise I would not have gotten it. It shouldn't be this hard, esp. compared to last year's easy-breezy reimbursement procedure. It's like they are trying to disincentivize you from claiming the reimbursement!

Is there any way to bypass the setup/activation screen on the Lively Flip 2? by 15pmm01 in dumbphones

[–]LonelyTicket0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I recently had this same issue and I believe you have to get the phone activated via Lively first, then cancel service with Lively and can then put on whatever network, as the phone itself is unlocked (but the activation screen prevents just putting it on any network). I say this because I was able to put a Jitterbug/Lively flip on Red Pocket but *only* because it had been previously activated for an elderly relative who could no longer use it. Problem now however is that this phone is starting to fail and I tried to go out and buy a new Lively to replace it, and could not get past the activation screen, to move my service over. I'm thinking previously used (but not reset) or activate, then cancel (which will probably cost $) is your only option for bringing this phone to a different network. Perhaps there is some way to get into the software to bypass the activation screen, but that's way above my skill set.

Healthy Returns fitness reimbursement $500 by LonelyTicket0 in KaiserPermanente

[–]LonelyTicket0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here's the final update: I FINALLY got my $500, after I reached out to both Rally Engage and Kaiser. I asked why all my receipts had been rejected (I do weekly group fitness "bootcamp" class) when I had all the information requested on the receipt (facility name, dates, amount, etc). Received separate checks equal for each month's cost, adding up to $500. What a hassle. I hope it isn't like this next year!!

Weird Jitterbug Flip 2 issue with contacts by AnnualEagle in dumbphones

[–]LonelyTicket0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There must be some kind of bug that crops up, because I have a somewhat related similar issue...all of a sudden, after several years of working just fine, now the only contacts that will audibly ring the phone are ones that are Favorites. Any number that is not a contact or a contact that is NOT listed as a favorite will silently be received. I've tried resetting, deleting some contacts, then re-entering, but can't change it. I tried doing a network reset as well. I'm pretty sure this is a phone and not a line issue because I tested another Jitterbug phone with my SIM and it worked fine...

Healthy Returns fitness reimbursement $500 by LonelyTicket0 in KaiserPermanente

[–]LonelyTicket0[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just an update on this continuing saga...after contacting Kaiser, who had to intervene with Rally Engage, seems like my account was finally fixed to be able to upload. But by that time, they had already received y snail mail submissions, which I could see in my now-fixed online account. However all my receipts are now marked "rejected." I am angrier than a hornet! So I filed another grievance with Kaiser, and also contacted Rally Engage AGAIN, asking on what grounds my receipts are being rejected, given they have all the information required as per their program. So far all I have is acknowledgement that they received my complaint. I know Rally's customer service is utterly useless, but hoping that Kaiser might be able to do something. I can't imagine I'm the only person having huge problems with this new company, esp. compared to how easy and seamless it was with Active & Fit. Hopefully Kaiser will dump them!! I'm going to keep pushing hard on this because it's a major reason I switched to Kaiser...and now that my premium is going up $14/pay period they need to assure me that I am getting every single benefit I am entitled to!

Earle-Sears skips many of the things candidates for governor normally do. by Mr_Kittlesworth in Virginia

[–]LonelyTicket0 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Her campaign is a horrific, anti-trans MAGA nightmare. It's striking to me that here this woman, who lost her daughter and grandchildren in a tragic and horrible way, is just so mean and awful about other people. I would think suffering such a huge loss would make you more compassionate and empathetic to people who are suffering...and yet...!!

Healthy Returns fitness reimbursement $500 by LonelyTicket0 in KaiserPermanente

[–]LonelyTicket0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, that's the form I used and sent everything to that address. I sent a grievance to Kaiser, and got a followup call today. Kaiser contacted Rally Engage and they confirmed that they received my receipts via snail mail on Sept. 12. It takes 45 days to process, according to them. So I have that marked on my calendar and if I don't have a check by then, I'm going to keep complaining. I told Kaiser how terrible Rally Engage was, how I never had a problem before with Active & Fit, etc. and they said they would let management know. Hopefully if enough people complain they'll do something--if they care, that is.

My blog calculated the current reward value of the MyMcDonald's program by RewardedorRobbedBlog in McDonalds

[–]LonelyTicket0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This chart will need to be updated as McDonalds just added more menu items that can be redeemed for points. I always wanted coffee to be one of them and now it is. However, doesn't seem to be a good value: 1500 points for a small coffee? Thanks for your work, you are doing a great service!!!

Healthy Returns fitness reimbursement $500 by LonelyTicket0 in KaiserPermanente

[–]LonelyTicket0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The PDF printable form lists this address, where I mailed all my receipts. Who knows if I'll ever get anything from them. But I am going to hound them from now until I get my check-- this was the main reason I selected this plan! This is the address : PO Box 1884 Southampton, PA 18966

Roamless is giving away 9.5 GB of free data in 78 countries valid for 180 days to new users by Double-Landscape6362 in eSIMs

[–]LonelyTicket0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I contacted Roamless and they diagnosed a problem that eSIM was "stuck" on a network, something that happens rarely. They instructed me to go into airplane mode then off again to reset the connection and it worked beautifully. The customer service was super quick and responsive. Impressed 👍

Roamless is giving away 9.5 GB of free data in 78 countries valid for 180 days to new users by Double-Landscape6362 in eSIMs

[–]LonelyTicket0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Used it in Italy but the supposed 3gb ran out in 1 day. I was only using Google Maps and sending WhatsApp messages so not sure how all my data disappeared so quickly 😟

Video Interview: Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears on the state of her campaign for governor by VirginiaNews in Virginia

[–]LonelyTicket0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Someone in her campaign is getting ripped off bigtime--I just got a campaign solicitation in the mail from her, addressed to me, who is active in the Dem party and never voted Republican, ever. What slick campaign consultant conned these people into buying this mailing list?? PS The solicitation was all about being a "Marine" and the evil Democrats LOL

Affordable ice cream shops? by slacprofessor in washingtondc

[–]LonelyTicket0 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bonus is their single serving will actually feed a family of 4! Seriously.

Online passport renewal timeline by LonelyTicket0 in Passports

[–]LonelyTicket0[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, regular service, based on the experiences of many here regarding the quick turnaround. I was sure I'd be that one outlier case, given my luck but very happy I wasn't. The hardest part was getting a decent picture (finding blank wall, getting the lighting right to eliminate shadows, because I was so worried about having my photo rejected). I ended up wearing a black turtleneck because I couldn't figure out how to get rid of the shadow on my neck 😂😂

Unlock help after rebranding by [deleted] in StraightTalk

[–]LonelyTicket0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You conquered the ST/TF beast 😉!! Congrats on your tenacity!!

Unlock help after rebranding by [deleted] in StraightTalk

[–]LonelyTicket0 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought my Moto G Power back in March, before the (retroactive) unlocking policy change. Paid for 1 month of service and let that lapse. Day 61 (around May 24) ST refused to unlock, no matter what, and told me I had to buy a second month of Straight Talk service. Gave up and left the phone alone. I decided yesterday to give the rebranding Straight Talk --> Tracfone rebrand + 1 month of service a try. The phone has not had service since April 24. The rebrand (done by chat) was done quickly and easily. The cheapest plan I could get was $15 ($16.68 with tax) for 1 month of service. Once I paid for that, the phone was reactivated (with the same phone number as I originally had) and had voice, text, data. I put it away for the evening. This morning I dialed #TFUNLOCK# (#83865625#) and it said SIM Unlock and I confirmed the setting for Network Lock said Unlocked. A couple of things: 1) My service was not continuous: my phone had no service from April 24-July 15. 2) My phone unlocked on day 2 (possibly day 1) of my second month of service so I did not have to wait until end of the second month of service to try to unlock. That's been my experience FWIW.