topic Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers in Community Chat

Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

patbz — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 03:10:53 GMT

Just got a message from Wells Fargo that they are forgiving all fees and charges on all of their accounts (includes mortgages, loans, credit cards etc) for up to 90 days for all customers affected by furlough. What a way to build customer loyalty (I hope many institutions will follow suit). We are retired Federal employees so emphasize.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

september — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 03:21:01 GMT

There are businesses who are giving the furloughed workers some breaks. Nice of them to do this

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

homedecor1 — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 03:21:28 GMT

My spouse & I were talking about this at dinner. My relatives are secret service & live in Washington (big expenses) and are working without pay. I mentioned if the banks were helping / working with the federal employees during this time.

He said banks, mortgage lenders, cc, etc. better if they don't want backlash. I'm happy to see your post about WF that's the right thing to do!

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

september — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 03:28:02 GMT

My daughter is on furlough. Some of the local restaurants offer free meals if a federal ID is shown.

Shes also been able to do some work related projects at the university of Maryland, since she isn’t allowed to go to her government job. Can’t even go on the property or check her email.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

Carmie — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 03:35:00 GMT

I am glad Wells Fargo stepped up to the plate. They got a 25 billion bailout from the Federal Government about 10 years ago.

They owe all of us.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

Greeneyedlady21 — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 03:56:57 GMT

Saw a woman on tv who is a furloughed worker. She's diabetic and rationing her insulin because she can't afford the $300 copay. Other people are doing that all over the country because of the cost of insulin, that's a whole other discussion.

This woman has medical bills from recent health issues. She stopped using her insulin pump sometimes in order to ration and her blood sugar went up to almost 600. She didn't even tell her husband about the rationing or her reading so she never went to the hospital. She said she just prayed she would wake up. She couldn't afford to add an ambulance bill to her unpaid mounting bills.

Some people from an online diabetes community sent her some of their insulin. It's beyond heartbreaking and outrageous, this should not be happening.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

Carmie — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 04:14:50 GMT

@Greeneyedlady21 This story is difficult for me to believe. Federal workers have pretty good insurance for RX drugs and medical expenses. They have a few options to choose from.

It is hard for me to believe that a diabetic person should choose a plan with a high RX copay. I have NEVER seen a $300 copay. The max I have seen is $200 for a non preferred speciality drug under the FEP standard program.

I wonder if this is some kind of experimental insulin. Could be a true story, but I'd want to see proof. Something doesn't sound right.

From what I have read, their health insurance will not cancel even if they are not being paid.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

sunshine45 — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 04:25:37 GMT

maryland has a very large number of furloughed workers AND contracted workers who are also affected.

banks in our area are stepping up and have contact numbers on their homepages.

a number of restaurants are giving free lunches with government photo ids.

some neighborhoods, churches, organizations are arranging potlucks to help those affected.

some local businesses are hiring furloughed individuals part time to help them out.

good to see people coming together to help others.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

RollTide2008 — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 04:23:32 GMT

She could be a contractor.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

JustJazzmom — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 04:31:36 GMT

The cost of insulin from various articles I have read has skyrocketed in recent years.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

Trinity11 — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 04:37:15 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
@Greeneyedlady21 This story is difficult for me to believe. Federal workers have pretty good insurance for RX drugs and medical expenses. They have a few options to choose from.

It is hard for me to believe that a diabetic person should choose a plan with a high RX copay. I have NEVER seen a $300 copay. The max I have seen is $200 for a non preferred speciality drug under the FEP standard program.

I wonder if this is some kind of experimental insulin. Could be a true story, but I'd want to see proof. Something doesn't sound right.

From what I have read, their health insurance will not cancel even if they are not being paid.

Well, I have seen plenty of $300 co-pays in fact insulin co-pays are through the roof @Carmie. Most diabetics are both on short acting insulin and basal insulin so they need both kinds to stay alive. When I used to pick up my Novolog for 3 months the co-pay was $400.00 and we had the Cadillac plan with my husband's insurance plan. My Levemir was also about the same so I most definitely believe that this woman is rationing her insulin. Type 1 diabetics can go over 600 blood sugars and end up in ketoacidosis within hours if they ration insulin.

Novo-Nordisk has a great way of getting insulin for two years for just $25 a prescription. I just found this out recently and for a 3 month supply of 6 boxes of Novolog I paid $75.00. I hope anyone reading this can apply for the discount card for both Levemir and Novolog.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

RoughDraft — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 04:42:27 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
@Greeneyedlady21 This story is difficult for me to believe. Federal workers have pretty good insurance for RX drugs and medical expenses. They have a few options to choose from.

It is hard for me to believe that a diabetic person should choose a plan with a high RX copay. I have NEVER seen a $300 copay. The max I have seen is $200 for a non preferred speciality drug under the FEP standard program.

I wonder if this is some kind of experimental insulin. Could be a true story, but I'd want to see proof. Something doesn't sound right.

From what I have read, their health insurance will not cancel even if they are not being paid.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/01/11/683770812/most-federal-workers-health-coverage-to-continue-during-shutdown-even-if-pay-sto

Most federal workers' insurance will continue to be covered. However, a lot of contractors working for the government may not be so fortunate. It's complicated and some even pay for their own medical insurance.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

sunshine 919 — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 04:56:41 GMT

@patbz wrote:
Just got a message from Wells Fargo that they are forgiving all fees and charges on all of their accounts (includes mortgages, loans, credit cards etc) for up to 90 days for all customers affected by furlough. What a way to build customer loyalty (I hope many institutions will follow suit). We are retired Federal employees so emphasize.
Wow thanks for posting this. This is positive and pleasant news.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

Carmie — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 05:17:00 GMT

@RoughDraft wrote:
@Carmie wrote:
@Greeneyedlady21 This story is difficult for me to believe. Federal workers have pretty good insurance for RX drugs and medical expenses. They have a few options to choose from.

It is hard for me to believe that a diabetic person should choose a plan with a high RX copay. I have NEVER seen a $300 copay. The max I have seen is $200 for a non preferred speciality drug under the FEP standard program.

I wonder if this is some kind of experimental insulin. Could be a true story, but I'd want to see proof. Something doesn't sound right.

From what I have read, their health insurance will not cancel even if they are not being paid.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/01/11/683770812/most-federal-workers-health-coverage-to-continue-during-shutdown-even-if-pay-sto

Most federal workers' insurance will continue to be covered. However, a lot of contractors working for the government may not be so fortunate. It's complicated and some even pay for their own medical insurance.

All Federal workers pay for their insurance. It is not free. They will still be covered even though there is a shut down.

I know many people have different insurance plans. I have never seen a FEP insurance plan that has a $300 copay for RX drugs, including insulin. Others might. I am only referring to Federal employees and their plans.

Yes, it could be a contractor. If so, they should apply for unemployment benefits. Every little bit helps.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

Carmie — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 05:26:10 GMT

@Trinity11 wrote:
@Carmie wrote:
@Greeneyedlady21 This story is difficult for me to believe. Federal workers have pretty good insurance for RX drugs and medical expenses. They have a few options to choose from.

It is hard for me to believe that a diabetic person should choose a plan with a high RX copay. I have NEVER seen a $300 copay. The max I have seen is $200 for a non preferred speciality drug under the FEP standard program.

I wonder if this is some kind of experimental insulin. Could be a true story, but I'd want to see proof. Something doesn't sound right.

From what I have read, their health insurance will not cancel even if they are not being paid.
Well, I have seen plenty of $300 co-pays in fact insulin co-pays are through the roof @Carmie. Most diabetics are both on short acting insulin and basal insulin so they need both kinds to stay alive. When I used to pick up my Novolog for 3 months the co-pay was $400.00 and we had the Cadillac plan with my husband's insurance plan. My Levemir was also about the same so I most definitely believe that this woman is rationing her insulin. Type 1 diabetics can go over 600 blood sugars and end up in ketoacidosis within hours if they ration insulin.

Novo-Nordisk has a great way of getting insulin for two years for just $25 a prescription. I just found this out recently and for a 3 month supply of 6 boxes of Novolog I paid $75.00. I hope anyone reading this can apply for the discount card for both Levemir and Novolog.

I have seen $300 copays, but not for Federal employees, Apples and Oranges between insurance programs. Federal employees have pretty good insurance.

They do pay for it though. It is not free.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

RoughDraft — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 06:59:55 GMT

@Carmie wrote:
@RoughDraft wrote:
@Carmie wrote:
@Greeneyedlady21 This story is difficult for me to believe. Federal workers have pretty good insurance for RX drugs and medical expenses. They have a few options to choose from.

It is hard for me to believe that a diabetic person should choose a plan with a high RX copay. I have NEVER seen a $300 copay. The max I have seen is $200 for a non preferred speciality drug under the FEP standard program.

I wonder if this is some kind of experimental insulin. Could be a true story, but I'd want to see proof. Something doesn't sound right.

From what I have read, their health insurance will not cancel even if they are not being paid.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/01/11/683770812/most-federal-workers-health-coverage-to-continue-during-shutdown-even-if-pay-sto

Most federal workers' insurance will continue to be covered. However, a lot of contractors working for the government may not be so fortunate. It's complicated and some even pay for their own medical insurance.
All Federal workers pay for their insurance. It is not free. They will still be covered even though there is a shut down.

I know many people have different insurance plans. I have never seen a FEP insurance plan that has a $300 copay for RX drugs, including insulin. Others might. I am only referring to Federal employees and their plans.

Yes, it could be a contractor. If so, they should apply for unemployment benefits. Every little bit helps.

And how does that help? I admit I don't know the ins and outs of what happens if an employee (contractor) applies for unemployment insurance, what happens to their medical coverage? Do they have to apply for COBRA? If so, how do they pay those steep prices with no income?

No person who is working should have to do so without a salary...plain and simple.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

Greeneyedlady21 — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 10:37:31 GMT

Well I'm not going to call the woman a liar. This is what she said. I do know that the cost of insulin has skyrocketed. For drug company profit. Where I live there was a protest against a drug company a few months back, a company that makes insulin. People brought the ashes of their deceased loved ones who had died as a direct result of rationing their insulin.

I don't judge anyone's situation. People have their own financial situations and struggles and deal with things that others can't comprehend.

Right now there are plenty of federal workers who can't even afford food. Disgraceful.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

meallen616 — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 10:55:32 GMT

@patbz,

Thanks for posting some good news!

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

Caaareful Shopper — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 11:28:32 GMT

The trickle down, or trickle across effect of the shutdown is devastating. Federal workers who have to go in and don't get paid -- who pays their babysitters so they can get to work? Transit or gas bills, kids school supplies? Many take care of their elderly parents. Those not in the office, never asked to be pawns, this is no vacation for them.

I was furloughed twice. It's absolutely horrible!! Thank the Lord this time, my agency got a budget early on. But I deal with lots of contractors that are small businesses working with several agencies. They also have contracts with agencies that are shutdown, so they don't have that work now. They are not getting paid. They had to let go employees. We contract first with small businesses, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses. These are the people losing out as well. There is no guarantee that they will continue those contracts because agencies have the right to cancel them.

That 800,000 number is a drop in the bucket of how many are actually horribly impacted.

Re: Bank steps up to help furloughed workers

CalminHeart — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 12:36:22 GMT

I wish landlords and more mortgage companies would do this too. I feel bad for the furloughed workers.