Author Topic: Is anyone else having trouble getting medical insurance? (Read 2434 times)

lynchj · « **on:** October 09, 2009, 07:33:50 AM »

I'm not intending to start another political "Obamacare" thread here but there is something seriously wrong with the current system for medical insurance.
I'm currently all set with employer sponsored insurance (as long as I'm employed that is) but my 22 year old daughter who is no longer a "dependant" because she graduated from college can not get insurance, she also can't find employment other than part time waitressing type jobs. I could get her COBRA coverage for a mere $550 / month but that just isn't feasable. We have been trying to get her insured since she graduated from school but have been getting the run around from several insurance companies. The reason is 6 years ago, while in high school, she had an period of problems with drugs, alcohol and depression (I don't think she is alone in this situation). She is well over that stage of her life and graduated with a 3.85 GPA but the insurance companies latch on to her past and stall and stall, asking for medical records from this doctor then from another then they need some other release of records until the application time frame expires.
So now it's been 5 months and still no insurance. My wife has been handling this and she has an email folder with over 150 correspondences back and forth.
I know a lot of people are against Obamacare and "socialized medicine" but I think the system is badly broken. How many others out there are denied insurance.

tortelvis · « **Reply #1 on:** October 09, 2009, 07:49:16 AM »

Yeah. I can't afford it.

medic09 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 09, 2009, 08:00:23 AM »

Shot in the dark, but try some different organizations that offer group coverage for members. There are all sorts out there. Many group coverages used to not look at preexisting illness, or had more liberal criteria.

If all else fails, tell you daughter to get an appointment with a case worker at a nearby free/non profit clinic. There are a number of women's health clinics out there that offer everything from free to discounted care. The social worker/case worker at such a place might know how to play the game. It's a crap shoot as to whether they really know this stuff or not.

My 24 year old is in grad school and wanted to get insurance other than what the school offers. The possibilities, at least in CA, were pretty poor and pretty expensive.

When I came to the US from Israel 20 years ago, the only insurance I could get was partial coverage for an exhorbitant monthly rate. It was scary and discouraging.

I truly sympathize. Good luck!

tortelvis · « **Reply #3 on:** October 09, 2009, 08:23:42 AM »

"When I came to the US from Israel 20 years ago, the only insurance I could get was partial coverage for an exhorbitant monthly rate. It was scary and discouraging."

I am an American who spent 25 years living in the UK and if I had realised just how bad the healthcare has gotten here I would have stayed over there. No disrespect to the fine people who work in healthcare, but the asshats running the sytem should have been shot long ago, along with every CEO of every insurance company. I feel ashamed that we appear to be the only "civilized' country in the world that does not provide decent healthcare for its citizens. If that upsets anybody here feel free to flame away, or enter into a reasoned discussion if you like, either here or you can PM me. I feel VERY strongly about this issue. There is something BADLY wrong when people are told that they or their kids are going to die from a treatable condition due to a lack of funds! So please stop telling me that America has "the finest healthcare in the world", unless you add "IF you can afford it."

lynchj · « **Reply #4 on:** October 09, 2009, 08:24:06 AM »

Quote from: medic09 on October 09, 2009, 08:00:23 AM

Shot in the dark, but try some different organizations that offer group coverage for members. There are all sorts out there. Many group coverages used to not look at preexisting illness, or had more liberal criteria.

If all else fails, tell you daughter to get an appointment with a case worker at a nearby free/non profit clinic. There are a number of women's health clinics out there that offer everything from free to discounted care. The social worker/case worker at such a place might know how to play the game. It's a crap shoot as to whether they really know this stuff or not.

My 24 year old is in grad school and wanted to get insurance other than what the school offers. The possibilities, at least in CA, were pretty poor and pretty expensive.

When I came to the US from Israel 20 years ago, the only insurance I could get was partial coverage for an exhorbitant monthly rate. It was scary and discouraging.

I truly sympathize. Good luck!

Thanks, I'll have to look into the group coverage option. By groups do you mean something like AAA. Since I have an OK income I have been paying cash for any medical needs for her but they have been minor items so far.
I just find it amazing that it could be so hard to insure a healthy 22 year old, I can't imagine how difficult (or impossible) it is if you are older and have long term issues, what a mess this is.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #5 on:** October 09, 2009, 02:37:24 PM »

Your daughters previous problems are a preexisting condition and can make it difficult depending on where you live. Some states are better than others. My wife has occasional migraines and takes a prescription med for it and to the insurance company that was a preexisting condition but we were able to get the policy but at a high deductible. The biggest problem comes when you try and use the insurance. The insurance companies will use every trick in the book to weasel out of paying for any treatment. There are times when my wife will spend hours on the phone to get them to honor their part of the agreement. I do think that whatever health care reform passes the preexisting condition clause will be history.

demon78 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2009, 03:59:34 AM »

That's crap guys, our system has faults but not the BS you go through.
Bill the demon.

ttr400 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2009, 10:37:16 AM »

Watched a movie on telly the other day called sicko by Michael More, not a fan of his films but this one had me watching till the end.
Not going to comment but check it out.

Kevin

HawaiiMike · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2009, 10:49:42 AM »

My premium is $490 per month. A few years ago it was around $300.

Not sure about other states - in Hawaii the general rule is if you work 20 hours per week or more on a consistent basis your employer legally must provide health insurance. Hard to go to college and work 20+ hours but that's one way to get health insurance.

seaweb11 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2009, 11:46:00 AM »

$1100 per year for 3 people

CDN

Both my sisters in the US pay a fortune

coldright · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2009, 12:36:32 PM »

I didn't have health insurance from the time I left home til I was 35. I was always working, healthy, and figured any problems I had would be worked related and therefore covered. When I was in school at 34 I developed a life threatening emergency illness and landed myself in the ICU three days later than I should have gone in. The nurse practitioner at the school clinic who diagnosed me sent me to a hospital with a good charity care foundation. They forgave every cent of my $20,000 bill (I even owned a home). I went to work for them when I finished school. My health care coverage YTD has cost me $168 dollars. Working in health care has it's advantages. Side note, I have since been diagnosed with a preexisting condition... which I've chosen not to treat medically. So far so good.

Have you thought about a simple catastrophic policy with a high deductible? Since you already pay for minor stuff out of pocket, this might not be a bad way to go. Have her get annual checkups at Planned Parenthood. Politics aside, they offer really good cheap (income based) care. I used to go there for my annual 'health exam.'

bucky katt · « **Reply #11 on:** October 10, 2009, 02:03:36 PM »

medical insurance? what the hell is that?

lynchj · « **Reply #12 on:** October 12, 2009, 10:01:01 AM »

Have you thought about a simple catastrophic policy with a high deductible? Since you already pay for minor stuff out of pocket, this might not be a bad way to go. Have her get annual checkups at Planned Parenthood. Politics aside, they offer really good cheap (income based) care. I used to go there for my annual 'health exam.'
-----------------------------------------------
The policies we have tried to get are basic catastrophic type plans with high deductibles. We think we may have finally got one with United Health Care (ironicly this is the same company that covers my place of work and that my daughter was under through the last 3 years of college), we got an agent to put the policy through and he gets paid based on the number of accepted applications he gets. Hopefully we will hear from them soon.

Thanks for all the inputs and comments, this is a crazy system, I really had no idea how messed up it was until I needed to get insurance. One strange thing is it seems the ins. companies will spend a lot of money just to deny applications, I guess it saves them money in the long term.

BobbyR · « **Reply #13 on:** October 12, 2009, 10:46:38 AM »

Quote from: ttr400 on October 10, 2009, 10:37:16 AM

Watched a movie on telly the other day called sicko by Michael More, not a fan of his films but this one had me watching till the end.
Not going to comment but check it out.

Kevin

My Brother is an MD and an Officer at a Hospital, we watched the film and he agrred with most of it.

edbikerii · « **Reply #14 on:** October 12, 2009, 11:08:27 AM »

This thread is just thinly disguised healthcare political "debate", and serves no useful purpose. I've "reported to moderator".

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #15 on:** October 12, 2009, 11:22:48 AM »

This thread started as a reasonable question about cost and availability in a particular set of circumstances. Let's keep it narrowly defined and not let it venture into a political debate. Otherwise, it will be locked.

BobbyR · « **Reply #16 on:** October 12, 2009, 02:11:34 PM »

It may be possible for your Daughter to come under a State sponsored Medicaid program. I am in NY which may be different. Her limited income and lack of employment may qualify her for these programs.

I know most people are too proud to take "charity" and this false pride can cost them. You pay taxes for these programs and when the economy turns around, your Daughter will pay plenty of taxes over her working life to cover what she takes out of the system. I would look into it if I were you.

edbikerii · « **Reply #17 on:** October 12, 2009, 07:56:39 PM »

Of course, if you accept those pieces of silver, and later have any amount of success, your children will be paying the devil back his due: Medicaid Estate Recovery

Remember that Medicaid pays nearly SIX TIMES AS MUCH for the sames services as private insurance does, so your children will be grossly overpaying out of your estate when you die.

BobbyR · « **Reply #18 on:** October 12, 2009, 08:01:22 PM »

Let me plainer. Your daughter as a 22 year old adult applies for the Medicaid. You have nothing to do with it. Your income and assets do not come into the mix.

coldright · « **Reply #19 on:** October 12, 2009, 08:47:56 PM »

Quote from: edbikerii on October 12, 2009, 11:08:27 AM

This thread is just thinly disguised healthcare political "debate", and serves no useful purpose. I've "reported to moderator".

Quote from: edbikerii on October 12, 2009, 07:56:39 PM

Of course, if you accept those pieces of silver, and later have any amount of success, your children will be paying the devil back his due: Medicaid Estate Recovery

Remember that Medicaid pays nearly SIX TIMES AS MUCH for the sames services as private insurance does, so your children will be grossly overpaying out of your estate when you die.

I truly don't mean to offend, but if you don't want a debate, then don't debate.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #20 on:** October 12, 2009, 08:53:06 PM »

Ed, you already tried to have this thread closed, i hope you are not participating now for the same out come. Everyone here knows your opinion on health cover or the planned changes, don't turn this one into a sh1t fight just to get your own way.

Mick

demon78 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 13, 2009, 03:46:31 AM »

Yeah ed we'll have to report you to the moderator.
Bill the demon.

BIKE · « **Reply #22 on:** October 13, 2009, 04:17:45 AM »

Quote from: lynchj on October 09, 2009, 08:24:06 AM

Thanks, I'll have to look into the group coverage option. By groups do you mean something like AAA. Since I have an OK income I have been paying cash for any medical needs for her but they have been minor items so far.

Yes. She may also be able to find something through the university she just graduated from. My brother was able to do this for the first year he was out of school.

CBJoe · « **Reply #23 on:** October 13, 2009, 04:32:36 AM »

No advice to offer on your daughter but my sister is in the same boat. She graduated this spring and hasn't been able to find solid employment other than some free lance graphic design stuff (Heron Art School Grad). My parents can carry her for 1 year after graduation on their health insurance, but after that

Hopefully she'll find something before then.

Regards, Joe

edbikerii · « **Reply #24 on:** October 13, 2009, 06:05:04 AM »

Hey, wait a minute. What's the problem here? I'm simply offering advice just like the others here. Before one accepts 30 pieces of silver from the government -- i mean the taxpayers, of course -- one should be thoroughly aware of the true costs to themselves, their children, and to society as a whole.

It is very easy for a 20-something to be fooled into thinking Medicaid is free because they don't earn much money and don't pay very much tax, but when they eventually have some success in life and have to start paying taxes, they will probably feel differently about it.

If you truly want to be informed, then go google "Medicaid Estate Recovery" and also "Medicaid Costs".

Better yet, why not call an insurance company if you want an insurance quote, instead of asking the question on a motorcycle forum?

As for helping the girl in question, 21 or 22? year old female, EMPIRE (BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD) offers a $0 deductible hospitalization plan for $151.22/month in New York City. I'll bet that another call to Empire would turn up some even cheaper plans with higher deductibles, especially for 21 year old kids who don't live in New York City. Give them a call.

But I've got to ask, why would anyone ask for health insurance advice on a MOTORCYCLE board where this DISCUSSION HAS ALREADY BEEN BANNED AT LEAST ONCE? Yes, I think this "discussion" should be banned AGAIN, as it serves no useful purpose here, and simply makes many of us angry.

I'm not particularly concerned that my opinions and advice make some of you angry, as many of your opinions make ME angry. I'd be quite happy for you to keep your opinions to yourselves, and I would gladly do the same. If, on the other hand, you people persist in constantly stirring up the #$%*e, then you can expect that I will occasionally introduce a dissenting opinion for consideration by intelligent, open-minded readers. If that gets me banned, then that will reflect more accurately upon the nature of this board and its moderators. I am comfortable with that, too. I trust that the mods are truly interested in CONSTRUCTIVE discussions, rather than making this board an internet platform for socialist propaganda.

Quote from: retro rocket on October 12, 2009, 08:53:06 PM

Ed, you already tried to have this thread closed, i hope you are not participating now for the same out come. Everyone here knows your opinion on health cover or the planned changes, don't turn this one into a sh1t fight just to get your own way.

Mick

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Author Topic: Is anyone else having trouble getting medical insurance? (Read 2434 times)