Not The Kind of Excitement I Was Seeking

I have done a complete 180 on my stance about American healthcare.  Sometimes it takes a sock in the gut to see the light.
Since my COBRA expires tomorrow (18 months are up, I just got the letter last week, I thought I had until the end of August but apparently I miscalculated), I had filled out an application with Blue Cross Blue Shield for coverage.  I could not understand all the fuss about individual healthcare not being affordable.  The plan I applied for was very affordable!  So in my mind, everyone should just go get an individual plan with BCBS and be done with it.
Oh, how I was wrong.  See, you have to get approved by BCBS.  And I, a fairly healthy 32 year old with only stomach troubles and an occasional kidney stone to mar her health record, was not approved.  Which means I am now in the middle of uninsured shitsville.  Praying to the gods of good health that I do not get struck with an emergency appendectomy and have to declare bankruptcy.
BCBS cannot tell me why I was not approved.  All they can do is cheerfully tell me I’ll receive a letter in seven to ten days.  I tried to get someone, ANYONE to tell me if I could get the same coverage at a higher deductible. No. Such. Luck.   Thankfully I had the option to apply for emergency short term coverage, and find out within 24 hours if I am approved or not.  There is, of course, still the possibility I won’t be approved.  But if I am, this affords me the luxury of actually speaking to an insurance rep (at State Farm or some such) and finding out what my options are.
So those of you who have insurance through your employer?  Be grateful.  Because getting it on your own as a healthy, upwardly mobile female caucasian is not as easy as I thought it would be.