Leonard Said:

Does your insurance cover your mirena?

We Answered:

It varies from policy to policy, whether or not the employer group has elected to purchase coverage for contraceptive devices/implants (like an IUD). (As opposed to contraceptive medications like the Pill.)

However, I'd say based on observation that a higher proportion of policies do not cover Mirena. I'd guesstimate about 60-65% of policies don't cover it.

Its not really relevant whether Mirena is "cheaper" than having a baby in terms of coverage. Cheaper for you, but not necessarily for your parents employer and/or the insurance company. (Which may exclude maternity coverage for dependent children on the plan anyhow, etc.)



On a personal note...I had Mirena for a few years after my youngest child was born. Had to have it removed because of some complications, and I've quite a bit of pain ever since. (I'll spare you all the gory details, but it has significantly impaired my ability to function.) As far as I know, the type of complications I had are somewhat rare...not that its any consolation for my husband though, since his life is also affected negatively by my pain. lol.

P.S. My insurance at the time covered me GETTING the Mirena. However, I was on a different policy that excluded IUDs by the time it was removed, so I had to pay for the removal out of pocket.

Harry Said:

I need some advice, I think my friend might be neglected her youngest daughter?

We Answered:

I agree with others that you should try to talk to her about it first. Not be confrontational about it, but be genuinely concerned with her lack of interaction with her daughter. Could you offer to watch the baby for her while she goes out for a little while? Or offer to find her a babysitter and take her out to really have a heart to heart about her PPD and your concerns for her daughter.
If nothing is resolved that way then I would make a call to CPS. If nothing is wrong, then the case would be resolved quickly, but if there is sufficient evidence that the baby is being neglected (and it sounds like there is), then she will be removed and the mother would be given the help she needs.

Francis Said:

How to explain a resume gap?

We Answered:

I'm sorry to hear about your accident and hope you're doing well.

I also have an extended absence from the workforce in my career history. I'm sure some companies immediately wrote me off upon learning that, but many were empathetic about taking time off for personal reasons.

I focused on three main points:
1 - I quit my job for a 'good' reason
2 - I was ready and excited to get back to work
3 - I still had recent relevant experience

I had a one line item in my career history section for the time off. (for me, it was 'illness in the family' or 'caretaker').

In my cover letters, I would give a brief explanation ('quit my job to focus on my family during an illness'). I would then say something about how I was excited to get back to work. And then what I had been doing during that time off that was relevant (volunteering, attending industry events, etc.)

I also created an active online persona so that anyone who searched for me online (or clicked from my email footer) could learn more about me and see what I was doing during my time off. My blog, Twitter,etc was professionally focused, with an entries on the industry events I'd attended, relevant books I'd read, my thoughts on industry news, etc. I connected to other people in my industry who had an online presence.

I would also be prepared to give a quick explanation during an interview. Mine was basically what I'd said in the cover letter. 'A family member became ill, I quit my job to be with her through her illness. She is doing really well and I am excited to return to the workforce.' All my references to the time-off period were matter-of-fact. I wasn't asking for pity or sympathy or a favor. It was merely to explain the gap.

Some companies will see the gap and put you in the reject pile automatically. But many companies will give you a chance. In spite of a two year gap in my work history, I got plenty of interest and offers when I was ready to return to work.

Best of luck!