Part of the process to get customs to release my fedex boxes of sweaters and shoes, I needed to complete a statement in German that I am not selling the stuff in the boxes and send copy of my boarding pass (?). These instructions were emailed to me however I was required to fax them back, a pdf email would not suffice. This all went down on Monday so I asked Randi to help me. We tried and tried and kept getting the message fehlgeschlagen. Then Marc joined in to help. It took the three of us nearly 20 minutes and repeated attempts until we finally got a sendebericht that said “O K”
As you may know, Germany has government regulated health insurance. What this really means here is that it is compulsory for every person to have insurance. The public health insurance plans have detailed coverage and are operated by numerous companies in association with the government program. Last week, I selected from 60+ carriers one that I thought would best suit my needs. How did I do that since all of the websites are in German? I copied Randi’s. I submitted an online application and later received a packet in the mail. In german, obviously. The packet included pages and pages of tables and descriptions, probably of the coverage and rules, that I couldn’t remotely understand. As I embarked on translating each page as to be fully informed before making a selection I decided to see if there was an easier way. I picked up the phone and caller Hehr Böhme, my insurance representative. He told me (in English!) all I had to do was sign and fax the forms since there are no elections to make. What an easy job he must have. Well, Hehr Böhme, you must not realize how difficult it is for a capable, college educated, certified public accountant, certified information systems auditor, and not to mention New York City 2010 Pizza Race Winner to send a fax. I warned Hehr Böhme of my disability and requested that he call me if he didn’t get it. After a mere three fehlgeschlagens it went through! I got a phone call from my pal that I am now insured. I can and will eat all the questionable street-meat that I desire.
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