u/Pow3rTow3r

​I don't eat out much anymore. Between groceries and life in general, I’ve pretty much resorted to cooking at home non-stop just to save money. But today, after getting off work, I decided to treat myself and swing through Taco Bell for the first time in forever.

​I pulled into the parking lot, placed a quick mobile order, and hopped into the drive-thru line. While sitting there waiting for the line to move, I started scrolling through the app menu, and my jaw honestly dropped.

​A single Beef Chalupa Supreme is $6.19 now?! For ONE chalupa?! I didn't even end up ordering one today because of that price, but every time I have gotten a chalupa in the past, the shell has been dead cold, stiff, and stale. Even when I’ve explicitly asked for a fresh one, it still came out lukewarm at best. Remember when chalupa shells used to be fried to order, coming out piping hot, crispy, and fresh? Now they charge six bucks for a shell that's clearly been sitting in a holding bin for hours.

​Out of curiosity, I kept browsing the app to see if there was any actual value left. It looks like the Luxe Boxes are basically the only reasonable option, but even that is hilarious when you look at the math. A Beefy 5-Layer Burrito is considered a "main" item for the Luxe Box, but if you buy it à la carte, it's $5.19!

​I remember when the Beefy 5-Layer was an absolute staple on the Dollar Menu priced right around a buck when it first dropped. Now it's over five dollars for a tortilla stuffed almost entirely with beans, sour cream, and nacho cheese. Where is the actual beef?! You get maybe one skimpy, single-ounce portion scoop of seasoned beef hidden at the very bottom, meaning 90% of the burrito is just filler. If you're charging over five bucks for a burrito, at least give us a reasonable serving of actual protein instead of a smear of meat paste wrapped in three layers of warm carb-heavy filler.

​What gets me even more flabbergasted is looking in my rearview mirror and seeing the drive-thru line literally wrapped all the way around the building. People are happily idling their cars for 20 minutes, ready to drop $15 to $20 a person on lukewarm, low-protein slop that used to cost $4 total.

​It’s completely wild to me that Taco Bell, the historical king of cheap late-night food, is charging sit-down restaurant prices for basic fast food, and people are still lining up around the block for it. I guess this was a quick, necessary reminder of why I stick to cooking at home these days.

​I’m looking for advice or shared experiences from fellow federal employees regarding an ongoing billing nightmare.

​I’m enrolled in the Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP/Aetna) for health and GEHA Dental High for dental. My dentist has frequently cycled in and out of the FSBP network. They are currently out-of-network with FSBP, but in-network with my secondary, GEHA.

​The Dilemma:

The dentist is billing me for the "gap"—the difference between their full fee and what FSBP (primary) paid—while ignoring their in-network status with GEHA (secondary). I’ve had conversations with the staff where they’ve mentioned they have other federal clients, and I’m getting the distinct feeling they are trying to "purge" their federal employee patients.

​It seems they view the coordination process (billing the primary, waiting for the EOB, then billing the secondary) as too much administrative hassle, especially since GEHA is comprehensive and they likely can't get the "excess" fees they want out of me once that secondary coverage kicks in.

​My questions for the community:

​Has anyone else dealt with a provider who clearly doesn't want federal employees? How do you handle a practice that treats the coordination of benefits like an inconvenience they’d rather avoid by balance-billing the patient instead?

​Strategies for the "Secondary" Contract: When a practice is out-of-network with your primary (FEHB) but in-network with your secondary (FEDVIP), have you successfully forced them to honor the secondary network rates for the entire bill?

​FEHB/Dental Overlap: I’m realizing the built-in dental component of my FEHB plan is the root cause of this coordination mess. Is there any way to avoid this? Are there any FEHB medical plans that are strictly medical with zero dental component so I can stop this coordination-of-benefits cycle?

​Anyone deal with constantly or any advice on how you navigate this would be a huge help.

​I’m looking for advice or shared experiences from fellow federal employees regarding an ongoing billing nightmare.

​I’m enrolled in the Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP/Aetna) for health and GEHA Dental High for dental. My dentist has frequently cycled in and out of the FSBP network. They are currently out-of-network with FSBP, but in-network with my secondary, GEHA.

​The Dilemma:

The dentist is billing me for the "gap"—the difference between their full fee and what FSBP (primary) paid—while ignoring their in-network status with GEHA (secondary). I’ve had conversations with the staff where they’ve mentioned they have other federal clients, and I’m getting the distinct feeling they are trying to "purge" their federal employee patients.

​It seems they view the coordination process (billing the primary, waiting for the EOB, then billing the secondary) as too much administrative hassle, especially since GEHA is comprehensive and they likely can't get the "excess" fees they want out of me once that secondary coverage kicks in.

​My questions for the community:

​Has anyone else dealt with a provider who clearly doesn't want federal employees? How do you handle a practice that treats the coordination of benefits like an inconvenience they’d rather avoid by balance-billing the patient instead?

​Strategies for the "Secondary" Contract: When a practice is out-of-network with your primary (FEHB) but in-network with your secondary (FEDVIP), have you successfully forced them to honor the secondary network rates for the entire bill?

​FEHB/Dental Overlap: I’m realizing the built-in dental component of my FEHB plan is the root cause of this coordination mess. Is there any way to avoid this? Are there any FEHB medical plans that are strictly medical with zero dental component so I can stop this coordination-of-benefits cycle?

​Anyone deal with constantly or any advice on how you navigate this would be a huge help.

I barely bother posting anymore because it feels like I'm walking on eggshells. Every time I create a thread, it gets removed and relegated to a megathread. I hate megathreads because nobody reads them, and dropping a post there feels like shouting into the void.

Savage Raven FissionGrip or Satisfye ZenGrip 2?

Has anyone personally had their hands on both the Savage Raven FissionGrip and the Satisfye ZenGrip 2?

I've used the Satisfye ZenGrip Pro for the original Switch and OLED and LOVED it!

I purchased the dbrand Killswitch travel case from Best Buy and the Savage Raven FissionGrip from Amazon. I purchased those because I could try them and return them at Best Buy or Amazon if I didn't like them and get all my money back. I've already determined that I'm going to be returning the dbrand Killswitch because it's grips aren't angled.

So far I'm REALLY liking the value and comfort of the Savage Raven FissionGrip but can't help but wonder if the comfort of the Satisfye ZenGrip 2 is any better?

If I order the Satisfye ZenGrip 2 from their website (only way to buy as far as I know), I can't do a return if I don't like it.

So mainly curious to hear from people who have had their hands on both the Savage Raven FissionGrip and the Satisfye ZenGrip 2 as to which one was most comfortable?

Savage Raven FissionGrip or Satisfye ZenGrip 2?

Has anyone personally had their hands on both the Savage Raven FissionGrip and the Satisfye ZenGrip 2?

I've used the Satisfye ZenGrip Pro for the original Switch and OLED and LOVED it!

I purchased the dbrand Killswitch travel case from Best Buy and the Savage Raven FissionGrip from Amazon. I purchased those because I could try them and return them at Best Buy or Amazon if I didn't like them and get all my money back. I've already determined that I'm going to be returning the dbrand Killswitch because it's grips aren't angled.

So far I'm REALLY liking the value and comfort of the Savage Raven FissionGrip but can't help but wonder if the comfort of the Satisfye ZenGrip 2 is any better?

If I order the Satisfye ZenGrip 2 from their website (only way to buy as far as I know), I can't do a return if I don't like it.

So mainly curious to hear from people who have had their hands on both the Savage Raven FissionGrip and the Satisfye ZenGrip 2 as to which one was most comfortable?

https://www.reddit.com/r/Soundbars/s/84ZCGR9Mq6

Previously posted. Please read.

Looks like Amazon/Woot sent me a Q990F/ZC (Canadian Market). I'm located in the USA.

Samsungs website still has the Q990F/ZA on sale for $847.83 after tax.

Should I return the Q990F/ZC on Amazon and repurchase the Q990F/ZA on Samsungs website?