What is your pet peeve of the day? -- 2021

[John Galt III]

Yes, they can be very useful, but Youtube how-to videos can be painfully lacking in the info you need. Some hint at what you need to know, but do not tell you. Others tell you the wrong way to do it. Others say 'OK, I did X a few minutes ago (not shown in video), now on to Y ' when all you want to know is X. Finally you find what you need to know, after hours of searching. Same thing for non-video how-to sites. Still I guess I can't complain (?) since it is free and I am avoiding a costly repair bill, lol. Plus it gives me an excuse to extend my time on a project, which keeps me busy, lol.

 

[razztazz]

Oh, speaking of YouTube How-To videos. My peeve is: There seems to be a law requiring almost all "help" videos be at least 15 mins long. I am forever slogging through 15-20-30 min videos trying to find 4 or 5 mins worth of essential information.

 

[easysurfer]

Things started well today but not so well later. I've not actually peeved but more like "Gosh, this is inefficient!".

I had a appointment for a physical under my new health insurance. A HMO. So, went to my appointment and during that I asked if I needed a referral to see an Ophthalmologist which I've been seeing every year for my eye exams and she is shown as in-network. Sure, no problem, I get the referral just in case that's required.

So, after I got home from my physical I go over to the Ophthalmologist's office (I live very close by) and try to set up an appointment. I mention that I have new insurance and a referral. I hand over my insurance card and referral paper the friendly person at the desk then says "Oh, that insurance is no longer accepted." I mentioned that the Dr. showed as in-network and the person then mentioned that the website isn't always accurate. So, I decided to postpone the appointment. I asked if the Dr. takes Medicare and she does. So, I said I'll probably wait until then as I'm about a year and a half away from Medicare.

Then when I go home and check, the insurance website still shows the Dr is in-network.

I think that I can wait until Medicare to see the eye doc as this was a routine exam and guess I can see an optometrist for the next year and a half (unless something urgent happens to my eyes).

But the situation left me thinking. What's the use of having a website if it seems to only way to really verify if a Dr. is covered is to call ahead? Also, is coverage a moving target and do Drs. jump in and out out networks during the year?

 

[razztazz]

I haven't been in that situation often but the times I have been, there was a disclaimer on the insurance's website saying that even if a provider shows "in-network" they might not be due to last minute changes blah blah. Always ask if they accept the insurance when you make the appointment. These websites aren't updated in real time. Some are well tended though, and others languish.

 

[easysurfer]

Kind of reinforces my point in that since the accuracy of the websites are hit or miss, seems like for the most part about as useless as possibly outdated maps and phone directories.

 

[Texas Proud]

Years ago one of my DWs Drs was listed almost 2 years after she had moved from the state!!!

I went in to find a new PCP (back when I needed one) and called 20 to 30 of them listed on the website... was told by all of them that they did not take that insurance..

One reason that I took a gap plan as most Drs take medicare...

 

[GrayHare]

About supermarket cart driving, I've had the following happen too many times. I'm rolling my cart down an aisle along which someone ahead is stopped while they fuss with their phone at their parked cart. When I pull up alongside to pass them, they choose to begin to push their cart. Now we're rolling side-by-side down an aisle too narrow for more than our two carts. What if someone approaches from the opposide direction?

If that does not occur, eventually, we reach a spot where I want to grab something from the shelf on their side. I have two choices, wait for them to fully pass (assuming they don't go back to fussing with their phone) or speed up and cut in front of them. I've started to do the latter in the hope they learn to not cause this awkward situation. It's dangerous to do similar on auto roads, and rude in this situation.

 

[Qs Laptop]

So, after I got home from my physical I go over to the Ophthalmologist's office (I live very close by) and try to set up an appointment. I mention that I have new insurance and a referral. I hand over my insurance card and referral paper the friendly person at the desk then says "Oh, that insurance is no longer accepted." I mentioned that the Dr. showed as in-network and the person then mentioned that the website isn't always accurate. So, I decided to postpone the appointment. I asked if the Dr. takes Medicare and she does. So, I said I'll probably wait until then as I'm about a year and a half away from Medicare.

I think that I can wait until Medicare to see the eye doc as this was a routine exam and guess I can see an optometrist for the next year and a half (unless something urgent happens to my eyes).

Medicare gap policies do not typically cover eye exams. Many (most?) Medicare supplement plans do cover them.

 

[easysurfer]

Medicare gap policies do not typically cover eye exams. Many (most?) Medicare supplement plans do cover them.

I'm not in that much of a rush to see my ophthalmologist for the annual eye exam. For the past couple of times was more like a 10 minute peek (after pupils dilated) to check nothing new happening.

 

[CO-guy]

Just got off a plane and the person sitting next to me was so morbidly obese that they were pouring out of their seat and into mine.

Regardless of the reason, if your body can't be contained within a single seat, then you need to purchase another. Instead, I just hung halfway into the aisle for 90 minutes to avoid having a clammy "arm blob" pressed up against me.

 

[Pluperfect]

Medicare gap policies do not typically cover eye exams. Many (most?) Medicare supplement plans do cover them.

Medicare gap policies and supplements are the same thing, and they don't cover anything on their own.

The Medicare plans that cover eye exams are Advantage plans, not supplements.

 

[Qs Laptop]

Medicare gap policies and supplements are the same thing, and they don't cover anything on their own.

The Medicare plans that cover eye exams are Advantage plans, not supplements.

D'oh! You are correct.

 

[Pluperfect]

So nice not to have to deal with locked cabinets and touch any of the things that the other patrons get their grimy fingers on. I swear, I've never seen so many dirty fingered kids than I have in a Walmart. It's as if they've been camping for a week without washing. My order comes in a bag handled by an associate wearing mask and gloves.

But the associate got the item off the same shelf you and grimy-fingered patrons get it off of.

 

[Texas Proud]

Medicare gap policies do not typically cover eye exams. Many (most?) Medicare supplement plans do cover them.

They do it you have certain diseases...

 

[MichaelB]

They do it you have certain diseases...

Yes indeed. Medicare doesn’t cove optometrist vision tests for eyeglasses but it does cover ophthalmologist exams for eye disease or conditions that require treatment.

 

[Texas Proud]

Yes indeed. Medicare doesn’t cove optometrist vision tests for eyeglasses but it does cover ophthalmologist exams for eye disease or conditions that require treatment.

On my last visit for my diabetes they did give me the prescription for my eyes... said it was covered... since I am new to this I just accepted it...

 

[jollystomper]

...

If that does not occur, eventually, we reach a spot where I want to grab something from the shelf on their side. I have two choices, wait for them to fully pass (assuming they don't go back to fussing with their phone) or speed up and cut in front of them. I've started to do the latter in the hope they learn to not cause this awkward situation. It's dangerous to do similar on auto roads, and rude in this situation.

When this happens to me, I will stop across where I need to get to, and if they are still blocking my access and going slowly (or stopping) I will give them my friendly Jollystomper Stare Down. It is similar to this: . It has been quite effective in getting them to accelerate out of the way .

 

[JoeWras]

About supermarket cart driving, I've had the following happen too many times. I'm rolling my cart down an aisle along which someone ahead is stopped while they fuss with their phone at their parked cart. When I pull up alongside to pass them, they choose to begin to push their cart. ... It's dangerous to do similar on auto roads, and rude in this situation.

Yes, this is the same thing as on automobile roads. You are happily following someone in the right lane on the interstate, going 65mph or so. Suddenly, you find yourself gaining on them. They are slowing down slowly for an unknown reason. So you decide to pass. As you pass, you see them put the phone down and "get religion" because you now have the audacity to pass them. Their foot, previously disconnected from their brain by the phone, now comes to life and they slam the gas to help get the situation back to normal, i.e., ahead of you. You let them go ahead, and fall back behind them.

5 minutes later, it happens again.

 

[athena53]

Just got off a plane and the person sitting next to me was so morbidly obese that they were pouring out of their seat and into mine.

Regardless of the reason, if your body can't be contained within a single seat, then you need to purchase another. Instead, I just hung halfway into the aisle for 90 minutes to avoid having a clammy "arm blob" pressed up against me.

Sadly, now many seats sold as "Business Class" are really 3 across with the middle seat blocked off. Large passengers are encouraged to fly Business if possible but this doesn't give them the extra width they need. I see this configuration especially in Europe.

I've been fortunate to have avoided this problem but if faced with it I'd refuse to raise the arm rest.

 

[Koolau]

When this happens to me, I will stop across where I need to get to, and if they are still blocking my access and going slowly (or stopping) I will give them my friendly Jollystomper Stare Down. It is similar to this: . It has been quite effective in getting them to accelerate out of the way .

Heh, heh, I've practiced until I can smile - with just half of my face. It's a bit disturbing and I'm guessing it's pretty effective at getting people to get out of my shopping lane.

 

[skyking1]

Thieves.
We had a good run with deliveries behind the fence next to the gate. Tonight somebody apparently followed the Amazon truck and the one package they took was a pulley I needed to fix my beetle. I'll be OK when we move from here to the new place.

 

[Pluperfect]

D'oh! You are correct.

You wanna talk about a peeve? It's how complicated Medicare is and how you have to be sooooo careful to use the exact right terms, even though they can be counter-intuitive. Advantage plans have more benefits than Medicare offers, so they're "supplemental," right? Argh.

Every once in a while I see someone saying supplements aren't insurance, but instead financial protection plans. That's the ticket, but it's never caught on.

Likewise, Advantage plans are actually Medicare replacement plans. Well, until hospice comes around, because that's covered by original Medicare even if the Medicare beneficiary has opted out of Original Medicare by getting an Advantage plan.

Anyway, I hope I didn't come across as snotty, but constant vigilance is so depressingly necessary when it comes to Medicare.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

Two ladies in the Kroger produce section stopped to chat with their carts side by side blocking the aisle. I rolled up to within a few feet and stopped and smiled at them. No clue. “Excuse me, ladies.” One moves her cart about six inches. “Pardon me, please.” Silent stare. I grabbed the cart and moved it enough to get by. Looking back, I saw them move it back in position to block the way again.

 

[Koolau]

Two ladies in the Kroger produce section stopped to chat with their carts side by side blocking the aisle. I rolled up to within a few feet and stopped and smiled at them. No clue. “Excuse me, ladies.” One moves her cart about six inches. “Pardon me, please.” Silent stare. I grabbed the cart and moved it enough to get by. Looking back, I saw them move it back in position to block the way again.

DW really gets upset about such behavior. I simply tell her that these folks are "unconscious." It's less about them being jerks and more about them simply not being anyplace but in their own interactions.

Heh, heh, that doesn't make it any less irritating, but I try to look at it as the "human condition" - not an excuse, but something we've all done.

 

[JoeWras]

Speaking of carts...

What about Home Depot and Lowes that keep their big ladder carts in almost every isle. These are used to access the high stuff way above. But if someone else is in the aisle, you are blocked.

And in Walmart, what about the online shopper employees with their big carts?

Now I'm getting mad. Aisles in stores are full of crap. Ladders. Employee carts. Junk displays. "Two Ladies" and so on!

I'm peeved!