New year, new healthcare

As I mentioned briefly last post, HMO healthcare was unsustainable given the options in my current system. I was advised by my new gastroenterologist -- the singular physician who I like and have kept from my HMO plan -- that PPO was the only way to go for an individual with a chronic illness.

And boy, was he right.

As of January 1st, 2017, I have been covered by the PPO plan offered by my University for postdoctoral researchers. It is much more expensive than the postdoc HMO, but much less expensive than most other insurance policies available to those not employed by non-profit or government organizations:

• the providers are better, 
• provider options are more diverse,
• I am not beholden to a curmudgeonly primary care physician who begrudges that his job is largely to dish out referrals to specialists,
• and I don't have to drive 45 min to every single appointment.

One of the better decisions I have made in my life, and a not-insignificant motivation to stick it out for another year or so in my current job position.