In my case, so far it’s $42.24 per month… and my birthday is still two months away!
Every year around this time I get a letter from my health insurance company informing me that my premium will increase on my birthday. I find this year’s communication particularly humorous.
It starts out thanking me for being a “member” given the myriad other insurers there are to choose from. Nice try, softening the blow, but I know what’s coming…
Next the company tells me how hard it’s working to keep my costs down, but, you know, more people are going to the doctor these days, and taking more prescription drugs, and then there’s all that pesky, expensive new technology…
And there it is, my introduction to age-related inflation. This year’s jump of $42.24 per month is double the hike I paid when I turned 29!
Next, the company tries to comfort me with the fact that others can commiserate:
Well, I feel better already! And it turns out there’s more to cheer me up:
…except come up with another $42.24 per month, or $506.88 over the next year!
No problem, because the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says after I turn 30 I should consume 200 fewer calories per day. That’s got to be good for at least ten bucks off my weekly grocery bill!
Maybe there’s a silver lining to all this, and I’ll finally be able to lose those pesky five pounds!
