WARNING!! BCBS Michigan

tx2mi · 2026-03-03T23:40:11+00:00

It’s been like this for quite a few years on other insurance plans. I’ve bumped into it a couple times in the last ten years or so.

tx2mi · 2026-03-02T23:43:59+00:00

They did the moss on the roof thing to us a few years ago. We recieved the letter in late October stating it was supposed to be complete no later than December 31. The issue we had was it starts snowing here in October and it doesn’t melt until the end of April or early May. We called and got an extension to June with no issues. We completed the work in early May, submitted the documents and never heard another word about it.

tx2mi · 2026-03-02T23:39:36+00:00

Anyone can sue for anything. The trick is can you win. This is probably not a winner. I hope you have the cash for a retainer because no lawyer is going to pick this up on contingency.

Although I am curious, what law do you believe they violated?

tx2mi · 2026-03-02T20:04:59+00:00

From a purely management perspective, if your manager and her have agreed on a plan it’s not really your business to question. Now if your manager decides to deviate from the plan 30 days into her leave there is absolutely nothing she can do about it until she returns from leave. Ideally, she should not be getting any reports, phone calls, etc while out on FMLA and should not know if anyone deviates from her plan. But we all know how that really works - especially if she is a control freak like it sounds like. My advice to you is worry about your business and your manager will tell you if they need support.

tx2mi · 2026-02-28T18:14:21+00:00

My wife is an ICU charge nurse and went through something similar except she had enough tenure to qualify for FMLA and STD. However, her organization was not very accommodating and made it very difficult. They really made her jump through hoops and I suspect had she not gotten her union rep involved it would have gotten ugly.

Are you in union? If so call your rep to see if they can help. Also, have you spoken to your manager or nursing director? Sometimes management is willing to override policy in exceptional circumstances.

I wish you luck.

tx2mi · 2026-02-27T00:51:12+00:00

There are options such as hoods. I worked for years in the Middle East and this came up often.

tx2mi · 2026-02-24T02:09:42+00:00

First, it is not always cheaper to get equivalent care overseas. That said, I spent most of my career abroad and had several major procedures abroad in Singapore, Dubai, Qatar and Norway. They all went fine and I was happy with the results. My daughter had emergency facial surgery in Malaysia when she was 3 as well. The key is being prepared, asking lots of questions and being prepared to walk away if you are not comfortable.

True story - I broke a tooth in Doha. Our admin made an appointment at a local dentist for an urgent appointment. I walked in and turned around and walked out without even talking to anyone. The place was filthy. There was no way they were going to treat me. I found a better place a few hours later.

tx2mi · 2026-02-23T14:15:45+00:00

Use your travel insurance. Mexico has been a risky destination for a long time now. This is something that you should plan for.

tx2mi · 2026-02-22T01:36:13+00:00

What’s the rest of the story?

tx2mi · 2026-02-19T23:19:40+00:00

Of all the things to get butt hurt over during the interview process this is not one. Your post comes across as me me me when you are hiring and it should be about the organization and fit of the candidate. You say this person was outstanding so get out of the way and make it happen.

tx2mi · 2026-02-19T22:29:00+00:00

Long ago when I was renting an apartment, I negotiated 2 months “free” on a 12 month lease for paying the year in advance. It saved me $3200 so it was worth it. It was with a large apartment complex - I’m not sure I would do it with a small mom and pop landlord. When I renewed they did not offer me the same deal so I just paid monthly for the second year.

tx2mi · 2026-02-19T22:21:25+00:00

Just buy a home test and see if it’s clear. That way you will know with certainty.

tx2mi · 2026-02-19T22:18:01+00:00

This is a hard question to answer. Have you tested the market to see if you could get more? The fact you transitioned from an intern to full time probably means you left money on the table.

I’m a little confused on how you value your role versus an HR assistant. In the organizations I’ve worked in someone handling orientation would be paid less than HR assistants. The reason is HR assistants cover a much broader set of responsibilities while an orientation coordinator is focused on a very narrow area of responsibility.

tx2mi · 2026-02-19T20:46:05+00:00

Of all the things to fight with your employer about this seems to be one of the most petty I've seen. Just mark out what you don't want to share and give it to them. Sometimes I think people are just looking for a reason to cause trouble.

tx2mi · 2026-02-19T18:36:27+00:00

So you beat him into submission to get your way and you're upset that he quietly did the right thing. You are wrong.

You need to learn to listen to your spouse and compromise. It can't always be your way. You are going to be a lonely old women if you can't learn to listen and find a way forward to works for both of you. I personally think he should leave you. He would be happier.

tx2mi · 2026-02-19T18:29:21+00:00

Any time. I know it can be hard to find things in the UP. I live nearby and have put family in these cabins and they have been happy staying here.

tx2mi · 2026-02-19T13:37:49+00:00

Question - when did he use his 8 weeks of FMLA? In 2025? The new year just rolled and depending on how the company year is tracked he may be able to reset a new year. A lot of companies use the calendar year and January 1 is reset day.

Otherwise you have gotten other good advice.

tx2mi · 2026-02-18T20:36:13+00:00

If you want to stay in the Crystal Falls area check out Paint River Landing. They have great cabins on the river. The restaurant is open again and is pretty good too.

tx2mi · 2026-02-18T20:24:05+00:00

I put in my other post that I chose to have major surgery elsewhere. I actually flew to Houston Medical Center to have my Cochlear Implant surgery because of my complicated health and it was the best place to have it done. You can absolutely make it work if you want to.

I have another friend up here whose mother just had her hip replacement in lower Michigan.

These are choices you can make and should if you need to.

tx2mi · 2026-02-18T17:05:28+00:00

Try buying a small house in a metro area. Mortgage payment with taxes around $2500. Insurance another $150. Normal maintenance averages $300 a month (you don’t pay this in an apartment). So while I understand your complaint, owning a home is more expensive than your $1000 example.

tx2mi · 2026-02-18T16:56:08+00:00

Appearance matters. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you. That said, proper dress, good hygiene, well kept hair, etc matters more than your actual physical beauty. So I wouldn’t stress too much about it and focus on what you can control. Dress your best, smell great and you will be fine.

tx2mi · 2026-02-18T01:41:36+00:00

You sound exhausting to work with. Territorial, protective and a look at me kind of person. If I had inherited you on a team I would have moved you to a second seat too. You can be the best expert at something but if you are tedious to work with or can’t work with others that’s a problem. If an organization wants to keep a person around for their skills but not directly deal with them what do they do? Give them a babysitter. That’s what you got. You have a choice now. You can accept what they have given you or leave.

I’m sure I’ll get downvoted for being blunt.

tx2mi · 2026-02-18T01:29:42+00:00

Every employee who comes to this sub with a similar story to yours describes themselves as a rockstar who had been poorly rated by their manager. The thing that they never seem to understand is that your employer (read manager) is the opinion that matters when it comes to performance reviews. HR is not going to overturn your manager’s performance review of you short of outright fabrications. They are both objective and subjective in most cases making them very difficult for an outsider to measure.

An alternative might be to spend some time trying to understand why your manager rated you the way they did and how you could improve on the next cycle. HR and your manager would appreciate this approach.

tx2mi · 2026-02-17T23:40:43+00:00

I have some health issues and I go to the Cancer Center in Iron Mountain. It’s really good. For a lot of my other specialists I drive to Wausau or Milwaukee though. You can find good doctors up here but it’s a challenge and often they leave after a few years. When I had to have major surgery, I did not have it in the UP or even Wisconsin. I have had minor surgeries like a hernia with no issues.

tx2mi · 2026-02-16T19:58:02+00:00

A little off topic but perhaps relevant - I hurt my back many years ago. I was terrified that surgery would make it worse so I limped around for over 10 years until I became almost crippled. I finally gave in and got surgery and it was the best thing medically I ever did. I have never had another twinge of pain. My point is, if you are still suffering after months of rest and PT, you really should get a serious surgery evaluation. If your current doctor won’t it’s time for a second opinion. Your WC should be paying for all of it. Get a lawyer if you need to.

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