Brenda Grigg shares how her benefits have made a huge difference in her family's wellbeing.
"I have been a PEBB member for as long as I have worked for the state—11 years. The health benefits I have received have been unmatched by any other plan I've ever had, going back to the very first month of my employment. Unlike most employer health insurance, which covers you after a probation period up to 90 days, PEBB insured me and my spouse immediately. Coincidentally, since the beginning of my career with the state, I have been charting a journey in disabilities with my husband's seizure disorder. He and I were in the process of relocating to the Olympia area when the stress triggered a seizure cascade, and he went into status epilepticus (without treatment can lead to brain damage and death). He was rushed to the hospital and stayed there for 8 days from Rhabdomyolysis, a complication from the seizures. But the ambulance, ER, and hospital was all covered by my brand new, fresh out-of-the-box PEBB insurance. In the years that followed, he also needed brain surgery and ongoing medical appointments, which without health insurance would have been impossible. While his seizures were not 100% cured by the surgery, he did gain some relief and more control over the seizure condition than he had before. He still needs to take daily medication to keep them under control, including keeping an emergency medication at the ready, which I can administer to him in the event he has another seizure cascade. I have called 911 for him a few times after his surgery, but I don't worry about whether I can afford to send him to the hospital because PEBB has taken care of my family every time. I am so grateful for the benefits that have helped my husband. They have helped me live a somewhat uninterrupted life. Without those benefits, I am not sure my husband would still be around today. He has been through so much with his disability and PEBB benefits have kept us safe and healthy. Thank you!"