Insurance

Maya, I'm one of the "46 million" and growing (and I'm sure I wasn't even counted) who don't have health insurance. I often say that not having it is my biggest health risk.
I've investigated things recently and here's what I've found. My heart disease would have a minimum 2 year exclusion, even after that the coverage could be limited, and my insurance premiums in the meantime would be over $1000 a month. That could be extended or raised at any time. Because I need medical care now, including my heart, I have found that my best (only) option is to go through the teaching hospital, however I have been trying to get a referral approved to see a cardio since January, apparently without regard for my history of rheumatic heart disease with 3 damaged valves and now symptomatic. This is why I have decided to go see a cardio at Cleveland Clinic. Before it occurred to me to do that, I found that in my area NO cardio will see me at all without health insurance. CC was the one exception to this, so even though it's about 2 hours away, that's where I'm going.
I have a friend who had a heart attack 5 years ago with no recurrences of any kind. She is a cardio nurse at a local hospital. First, they tried to terminate her insurance (unsuccessfully) and then they raised her rate to $880 a month and still climbing. During all that time she has still been employed at the same hospital - which she feels she can't leave because if she changed employers, the new insuror would throw in a 2 year exclusion and raise her rate even more.
I believe that if you have insurance and lose your job, there is something called Cobra, which is a transitional policy that you pay for individually until you obtain other insurance. However, if you miss a payment (remember, you're not working!) you are immediately cancelled. If this happens, then you are right where I am, though mine is for different reasons.
From my experience, I would urge everyone who is now insured to do everything possible to keep your insurance. I believe that my prognosis and treatment options are extremely limited compared to what they would be if I had insurance.
In emergencies, ER's do have to treat you (insured or not) - only until you are stable. During the last decade 14% of all ER's in the US have closed down - for cost cutting measures. See where all this is going?
If you have health insurance - do your best to hang on to it! There are no good ways around this problem.

>>>My boyfriend (soon to be fiance )<<<

 

  Does he know this? ..Just teasing....I know my company offers you the option of taking over paying for your health insurance if you leave the company

Thanks Pat, Oona, Sara and Heidi - that was some very good info!!  I think Pat and someone else mentioned the COBRA plan - one of my sisters had to go that route a while back...so I searched for a link and came up with this one -hope it helps!

Hugs, Teri

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm

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"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas

"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack

 

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