Yesterday at work was STI Day, where we all receive our annual "big bonus" it is a huge day for everyone with Verizon Wireless as it is just another great reason to work there. From time to time they ask for stories about the work quality and with STI day they were looking for stories about our benefits. This is the story that I submitted and it made the front page.
Hank Belz
St. Louis, MO
“In 2003, a few months after I joined the company, my wife, Tricia [pictured here with Hank], was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. After two surgeries, radiation treatments and numerous doctors’ visits and hospitalizations, she is doing very well and is four years cancer free. All of her bills have been handled by CIGNA with our out-of-pocket expenses being just the nominal co-payments. Without this wonderful coverage, we would have had almost $2 million in medical bills to pay.
“On a related note, due to her cancer, we are in the process of adopting our first child from Vietnam. The unplanned cost of adoption was something that was hard to handle, but Verizon Wireless is coming through again. In November, I discovered the Adoption Assistance program benefit had increased to $10,000 from $3,000. Coupling this with federal and state tax credits, we are able to fund almost 100 percent of the adoption. I am proud to be here and I spread the word about how wonderful our benefits are. Thanks, Verizon Wireless, for truly saving a life, and adding a family member!”
If you are unsure of your company's adoption benefits please ask because most have one and can significantly help in re-paying the costs associated with your adoption. Have a great weekend.
