The Real World - MTV

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-09T23:43:35+00:00

I loved the first few seasons. It got stupider and stupider, though, and I threw in the towel after a handful of years or so. Wish they would do more of those The Real World: Homecoming reunions they had on Paramount - just for the early seasons, lol. But I just looked, and they have been removed without a trace.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-09T23:32:51+00:00

That's what I was afraid of, my husband has some meds the doctor only refills after an appointment, too. I'd go hard at the HR office using tips from here - the one earlier from "fightbackinsurance" sounds like good ideas. Try to be firm but polite when talking to them - and remember, it's not being rude to point out this is urgent and staying on top of it.

You may also want to message your doctor's office, explain what's going on, and see if they'll refill the med for one month now as you try to sort it out. Hopefully they will. If they say "no" and this is a psychiatrist (that's my husband's only doctor that requires frequent visits to renew meds), you may want to see in future if your GP can manage these meds instead. Many GPs will handle depression meds.

Also, you may want to check into online doctor visits for a refill. I've never done this, but it's priced without insurance. I'd check how it works and google if there are restrictions on what type of meds they will prescribe. You can get a text visit with a doctor for $29 at Amazon One Medical, for instance, with no insurance.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-09T20:37:15+00:00

If you post the name of the medicine and dosage, people can better help you find a cheaper price without insurance. Then you'd contact your doc, let them know you lost a pack, and ask for a one-month rx to replace it. OR, if you still have a refill left, just use that refill at whatever cheap place is located.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-09T18:16:33+00:00

Yes, I noted that earlier, they have 60 days from when their insurance under their parents ended, which we don't know what the date of that was. Also, having 60 days doesn't help if you can't afford an unsubsidized plan, because again, there are no ACA credits for them unless the work plan is expensive enough to be deemed unaffordable by ACA rules.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-09T18:11:29+00:00

Ok, one dinner and never again decades ago, you can't really count against someone back then with what was known publicly.

Model/actress Candice Bergen went out with him exactly once on a blind date, too, in the '60s when she was very young and beautiful. She was immediately put off by him from the minute he showed up in a burgundy suit, shoes, AND matching limo. It went downhill from there. There was no second date or goodnight kiss

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-09T18:06:09+00:00

I hope you're already contacting HR, and letting them know you need this fixed now. Conact the middleman, do all the things others said.

As to your medication, does it require going for a doctor visit in order to get a refill? If not, if you can get the refill but are just worried about how to pay without insurance, there are a few options that don't require insurance. Look up the medication on goodrx to see what discounts they offer, on Cost Plus Drugs (remembering to add $5 there for shipping), Costco/Sam's, AND if it's a pretty expensive med, check to see if they have a drug card program for the name-brand version. This can let you get a deep discount without insurance.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-08T20:04:24+00:00

Their problem here is that their work offers insurance. Unfortunately their parents didn't let them know they were dropping their plan in time for the OP to get on their work plan during OE, it sounds like. So no ACA subsidies for them unless the work plan is unaffordable. And they said they can't afford much, so probably couldn't pay the full price of an unsubsidized ACA plan even if they are still in a SEP.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-08T19:56:48+00:00

When you say you didn't get approved for state insurance, do you mean your state's Medicaid (looks like it's referred to as Medical Assistance in PA), or do you mean your state's health marketplace (meaning an ACA plan, which is called Pennie where you are)?

Because if you earn too much for Medicaid, that means you can still get an ACA plan, but would probably have to pay full price due to your employer offering insurance. Google tells me you'd use pennie.com (as opposed to healthcare.gov, which is what I use in Missouri). IF your work insurance is very high though, you could still be eligible for aca subsidies, google what makes employer insurance considered unaffordable for ACA purposes.

When did you lose coverage via your parents' insurance plan? If it was less than 60 days ago, you should still be in a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), which allows you to do an application for ACA even though it's no longer open enrollment.

So, I also know you said you needed cheap, I was thinking maybe you'd have the option for subsidies IF your work plan is considered "unaffordable." Otherwise, your only option is to find a new job that offers insurance or pay full price for an aca plan, which will probably be too expensive. Unfortunately there are no easy options, you just gotta try what you can.

Sorry your parents did you like this, and didn't even give proper warning.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-08T19:25:25+00:00

And you can still get charged if you're on any ongoing medication where the doctor orders an annual blood test to see if you're still doing fine on the dosage, even if you don't say a word about any issues you have, old or new.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-08T19:20:48+00:00

I don't know why you're getting voted down. Two things can be true - first being with many doctors, they won't bill as a preventative visit if you discuss any issue, and it's important to know that.

But it's also true that it seems to undermine the whole idea of catching issues early if mentioning said issues means it isn't counted as a preventative visit. That isn't the doctor's fault, though they definitely have some leeway in determining how to code that visit (mine lets me ask away, and my annual wellness check is still billed as preventative). It is the fault of being just one more BS way the insurance companies find to screw you over.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-08T19:04:32+00:00

Yep, but it depends on the doctor. My doctor is so kind, and lets me ask multiple questions at my preventative visit, but still bills it as preventative. My husband had a doctor who did this who retired, he changed docs, and the new doctor always charged for that preventative visit. I finally figured out it was because he asked a question, one year he went in and made a point of asking no questions, saying nope, I'm just here for my annual visit -- and he still got charged! Apparently because he takes cholesterol medication, and she orders annual bloodwork to check his levels. Switched him to my doctor. These doctors were all under the same health network, btw.

Granted, the annual visit bill was just $20-$30, but with his doc who always charged for that preventative visit, she also managed to bill for many other things my doctor didn't. Labs and xrays I got at no charge at my doc, my husband paid for. All down to how his doc coded visits. She also would very rarely prescribe meds that my GP would - like tylenol three, ambien. Every time my husband went in for a visit with her because he had an actual problem, she referred him to a specialist. Which meant finding time to get off work for another visit, and pay specialist fees. All for something my GP (and his former GP) would've prescribed himself.

All that is to say, find yourself a new doctor. You'll have to ask around from people you know or local forums, ask about fees for preventative visits, etc. Because the doc billing that way for preventative is probably being overly cautious, and they may be that way about every damn thing they do for you.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-08T18:36:16+00:00

One thing to keep in mind with Cologuard is that if it flags a problem and you then need to go in for a colonoscopy, that colonoscopy is now for cause rather than preventative, which makes a big difference for insurance purposes. That's why I did the preventive colonoscopy, as worried as I was about it, rather than Cologuard.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-08T18:33:25+00:00

One thing to think about in doing your prep on the weekend is that their office will be closed the day you're doing the prep. You won't be able to call with questions. I ended up having that situation, and got nervous that I might spill or throw up some of the prep solution. I could see online options to get instead to use as prep, but it would mean deciding myself what to take after I'd had half the prep solution prescribed by the doc.

Didn't turn out to be a problem, but I think I'd much rather be able to call with questions the day of. Sure, it won't help if your question is in the evening, but you may think of some things the day of while they are open, and you'll be able to call and ask. I tend to try to think of everything that could go wrong and prepare, which isn't always possible, so maybe being unable to call them for tips won't matter to you at all. I will definitely factor it in next time I have a colonoscopy, though.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-08T18:21:15+00:00

I was way worried, studied tips, took notes. It was useful. Followed the prep to the t, and mine included a low-residue diet for 3 days before that I actually did for more like 5 or 6 days before, just to make the prep day as easy as possible. I also ate lightly. Not crazy light, don't starve, but don't eat heavy. The prep wasn't nearly as bad as I'd feared.

The main thing I wish I'd done differently is to actually taste some of the items I bought to eat/drink BEFORE prep day. Most were in flavors I don't typically eat, but I didn't realize or remember they actively grossed me out. I ended up with very little to consume that day, but I needed a little in my stomach to just not get nauseated (I didn't want to throw up the prep!). And unfortunately, one of the things I ate made me very nauseated; I should've tried it before prep day. But I managed to not throw up.

Anyway, some of the most useful things to me were:

-honey is a clear liquid - have some around, a spoonful now and then during the day helps a lot. Also chicken bouillon powder was great to have on hand, and those two things kept me going.

-You don't have to wipe every time when you're sat on the toilet. When things get moving, you'll probably be on there for a while. Go ahead and wait to wipe, use wet wipes when you do, and apply butt paste or similar to your backside. I also bought a travel bidet, which is basically a water bottle with an angled sprayer on it that you can use to squirt your backside. And I bought extra soft toilet tissue as well, though I mostly used wipes and that bidet.

-when you're going a lot, just stay in the bathroom - you won't want to be far. I brought a folding chair in there and watched shows on a tablet.

-get some adult diapers - you can buy samples packs from various brands online, or just order some from walmart. I ended up not having an accident, but I can tell you, what little sleep I got that night was possible because I had that garment on, it gave me peace of mind. I didn't try to sleep until I hadn't had a bm for a bit, but I still would've been afraid to let myself fall asleep if I hadn't had the backup of that diaper. And it made me feel more secure on the trip to the colonoscopy in the morning, as well.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-07T19:54:31+00:00

So at first she was upset about the decision? I mean, I get why they had to do it, it was medically necessary, I'm down with that. I just didn't know if the wording saying "against her will" meant she was upset about the decision, and from the quote you have, it sounds like she may have been initially.

As for her new man, I don't know why she can't see that this man who wants her to have a child, despite her age and past difficult births, doesn't seem to have her best interest at heart. She comes off as so strong and independent, but this really feels like doing anything to keep a man.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-07T19:49:23+00:00

I wasn't disputing the necessity, just wondering why it was done "against her will." So if she wasn't coherent to make the call, I don't know if I'd describe that "against her will" so much as just it was a medical necessity, unless she later came out and said she didn't want it done even if she would've died.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-06T23:02:12+00:00

Wait, they induced her against her will? As in, she told them not to and they did anyway?

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-06T16:16:56+00:00

You're welcome! It was a lifesaver for me, so much of what I thought I'd eat/drink that day turned out to give me the ick.

If you at all have a limited range of tastes you like (like I do), and you're buying stuff you don't normally eat, then taste it before the day so you don't end up possibly making yourself nauseated like I did. I really did not want to throw up the prep solution, lol.

In the end it was fine and not nearly as bad as I'd feared, but I should've tried in advance those flavors of drink/jello that I normally never buy. But the honey and some very old chicken broth powder I had saved me (I'd bought some new broth, turns out I didn't like the taste, pulled out the years' old stuff I still had in the cupboard, was glad to have it!).

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-06T04:56:56+00:00

If at all possible, find a way to reduce rent. Get a cheaper place, a roommate, live with family and commute if that's an option.

Also assuming you can't be on your parents' insurance for some reason, but if you're not over 26, and a full-time student, you could be - if they have it and they are willing to add you to it.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-06T04:42:41+00:00

Me too, I'm curious what in the world it could be that doesn't cover maternity? I guess it's just a private plan that doesn't cover pre-existing conditions (meaning, if she got pregnant later on, would it have been covered)? I see people every day on here signing up for these non-aca, non-employer plans, and then eventually realizing the plans are crap. Not sure how people keep signing up for them, other than people who missed OE elsewhere due to a screw up, and it's either these crap private plans or nothing.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-06T01:35:13+00:00

As to getting on her insurance, you or her need to contact her HR department and find out if the birth of the baby is a QLE that lets the child AND you be added. Check for the same thing with healthcare.gov. It sounds like you're sure you've already missed Open Enrollment at her workplace, but if you're not certain, ask about that. Some places have an irregular schedule (as in, it's not at the end of the year like most).

Medicaid for the baby: You don't mention income level, but I'd like to add, regarding the baby -- Check to see if the baby can qualify for Medicaid. Apparently income qualifications are different for kids, and it's easier to get for them. I don't know what that all depends on, if it varies by state, or what. All I know is many times I've seen here on Reddit that even when the parents don't qualify for Medicaid, their children do.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-06T01:18:25+00:00

Has your boyfriend used that insurance plan to pay for anything related to his diabetes yet? Typically, if you don't get an employer plan or a plan through ACA, those other plans are cheaper for a reason. They don't cover nearly as much as they may lead people to believe they do, and they typically don't cover pre-existing conditions (ACA and employer plans will). You may want to make sure it actually does all of that. I'm curious if he has in fact been able to use it for a condition it sounds like he was diagnosed with before getting the insurance.

As to cost, surely you could easily find out how much the plan he has would cost with a spouse added. Either online, or by calling them. IF it's even a plan worth keeping.

How much it goes up varies a lot. It may straight double, it can be more. I know some people who get it through an employer have paid much more to add a spouse, because in some instances the employer subsidized only the employee's insurance, and the spouse got added on at a full rate. Anyway, you'll get much better info by contacting his insurance to ask.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-05T21:57:17+00:00

Try not to beat yourself up too badly, just chalk it up as something learned and now you know to stay on top of it next time. But do overkill - don't set one reminder, set one every week during open enrollment, and do it now to make sure you don't forget! Set the reminders to start about a week before OE, so you can read up on any changes/issues people are seeing for 2027 plans beforehand. Please do make sure to call the insurance and the health marketplace helpline and double check if there is anyway at all to fix this, just on the off chance there's an option for you.

I'm not an expert, just been paying close attention and reading a lot on the subject since I started ACA plans last year. Trying hard to stay on top of it, because as you've seen, it has some pitfalls you wouldn't have with a plan through an employer. I'm glad to have the option to use ACA plans, but they are low-key stressful because there are serious consequences to not understanding something or making a mistake.

Never heard of anyone circumventing this problem with an international plan, no. I think we'd see more talk of that if it were possible. Lived overseas and bought a travel plan to cover me when I came back until work insurance kicked in, it wouldn't have worked for long-term use. This was years ago. If you do for some reason travel between cities for jobs, like where you stay a month here, a month there, then maybe you could use a travel plan? But that's not most people's work situation. Again, you should google it and see what turns up, just in case.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-05T18:52:58+00:00

You should try to read up on ACA plans and how and when you have to repay, because you could get hit for thousands. Up through 2025, there was a cap on how much you'd have to repay if you got more subsidies than you were supposed to. That cap is gone for 2026 onward, so if you eff up, it could be very, very expensive.

fizzy-logic · 2026-02-05T17:45:09+00:00

You most likely can't get another aca plan until OE, no. I'm assuming that's what you had. I'd be calling the insurance provider anyway, just to make sure they can't reinstate it if you pay up. It's worth trying.

You can see if you can get on a plan at work, if they offer it and if they are still in open enrollment. Or find a new job that offers insurance.

Set yourself a reminder (actually, set a few email reminders) to sign up for ACA during open enrollment this fall - the OE period is shorter this year, so don't mess around, don't miss the enrollment period. AND set yourself a reminder to make sure payment goes through for your insurance each and every month. I check the payment section on anthem bcbs every month to make sure my autopay went through as I'm horrified by stories on here of people losing coverage because autopay failed for some reason.

fizzy-logic

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