A card from Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
Health Insurance
It’s a blessing to have health insurance. The paperwork that goes along with it? Not so much. Unless you somehow find a medical practice that handles all the billing for you, this cardholder needs to know every time anyone in your family goes to the doctor, makes sure the appropriate paperwork is filed for insurance, keeps track of reimbursements, and steps in when things go awry. Every time you see an envelope from your insurance provider (consult with the “Mail” cardholder to ensure you receive it), say a prayer that you’ve been covered.
Holding this card means owning all three
Conception
The family needs health insurance
Planning
- Determining health insurance options (work, exchange etc.)
- Researching various plans (HMO, PPO, etc.) to determine if doctors, specialists, prescriptions, other special needs are covered
- Establishing flexible spending plan/health savings account if appropriate
Execution
- Selecting and enrolling in plan during open enrollment window
- Fighting for coverage/reimbursement from medical providers
- Giving checks to “Money Manager” cardholder for deposit in bank account
- Checking whether deductible is being met
Suggested Minimum Standard of Care
If you are lucky enough to have health insurance, are your co-pays up to date and are you reimbursed in a timely manner?
A starting point. You and your partner agree the real standard together, and the holder meets it without reminders.
Holding it well
- The holder owns all of it: noticing, planning and doing. No “just tell me what to do.”
- Agree the Minimum Standard of Care together, then let the holder meet it their way.
- Not working? Bring it to the weekly check-in and re-deal it. Don’t take it back mid-week.
Put this card on your table
Deal it, agree its standard, and see who holds what. Free.