HEALTHCARE & POLITICS & HEALTH

jmadamczyk
jmadamczyk Posts: 25 Member
edited January 15 in Chit-Chat
Today I just got turned down from my third health insurance company and I am heartbroken.

I'm a 22 year old college grad and mom who, at the ages of 15, 17, and 19 struggled with a disease that causes rare tumors to grow in my lymphnodes and salivary glands. It required 4 surgeries and 8 weeks of radiation. I've been in remission for a year and a half and, but I have been unable to get the check ups I need because of lack of health insurance.

In 2009, I accrued nearly 150,000 dollars in medically debt because the healthcare law had not yet come to pass. I pay on those medical bills every single month. Because of Obama, i was able to get health insurance through my parents in 2010. But the minute I got pregnant last January, I lost the ability to stay on their plan.

Now I am struggling to find insurance.

I have a great job and would be willing to pay for insurance. But because Congress revoked their pre-existing condition clause last year, health insurance companies reserve the right to deny me. And, so far, they all have. This includes employee enrollment. I did a brief stint working at Longhorn and was denied. Now at my grown up job, I was denied again by Keiser Permanente. I tried to get it on my own, fully aware that my premium would probably be 300 dollars a month, and was once again denied.

What am I supposed to do? I have a four month old son. I work a full time job. I pay my bills, my taxes, my student loans. I put myself through college. I do everything a good citizen should. I am even willing to pay for insurance. Yet I'm still denied.

I'm sad that the political climate right now has turned against healthcare reform. What am I supposed to do? I am NOT looking for a free ride and I'm not looking for someone else to pay for me. But if I can't even get health insurance companies to look at me, what am I supposed to do?

I joined MFP to get healthy for my son. To exercise and eat right and be there to watch him grow up while knowing the whole time that I have this disease that could be growing right now and I can't do anything about it. I'm so frustrated and upset. What good is the rest of it if I'm going to die anyway because I can't get a doctor to see me? My illness has a 50 percent relapse rate after the first 10 years. I need to be checked every six months, but the appointments would cost me 10,000 dollars. I know its a big risk for the insurance company to take me, but I need help. I just don't know what to do. I get so mad that certain political factions decide to paint this picture of obese, lazy people who want free medical insurance without working. They forget about the hardworking, every day people who just want to stay well. Doesn't America want healthy citizens? How would I continue to be a good, contributing member of society if I get sick again?

:( I just thought I'd throw this out there on this Friday night because I just finished working out and felt so good until I opened my mail and saw my third rejection letter. :(

Replies

  • ChloeRoseLejeune
    ChloeRoseLejeune Posts: 488
    If you buy travel health insurance, and go to Canada, would that work?
  • jmadamczyk
    jmadamczyk Posts: 25 Member
    I live in Atlanta, Georgia. I'm so sorry but I can't tell if you're being mean or not.
  • AuddAlise
    AuddAlise Posts: 723 Member
    American does want health citizens and I feel for you greatly. If we went to nationalized health care most Dr's I know (and I know quite a few as I have worked for many) would up and quit and move else where. I would be out of a job and if by some amazing miracle I did get to keep my job my pay would be lowered to the point of ridiculious.

    I do think that you should be able to buy insurance. Have you tried talking to Social Services? They should be at least able to point you in the right direction.
  • ChloeRoseLejeune
    ChloeRoseLejeune Posts: 488
    No I'm actually being serious.

    I know someone from Lake Forest, IL, who last year bought travel health insurance before she went to visit her family in Vancouver, and then she got sick while she was in VA and her insurance covered it.
  • jmadamczyk
    jmadamczyk Posts: 25 Member
    American does want health citizens and I feel for you greatly. If we went to nationalized health care most Dr's I know (and I know quite a few as I have worked for many) would up and quit and move else where. I would be out of a job and if by some amazing miracle I did get to keep my job my pay would be lowered to the point of ridiculious.

    I do think that you should be able to buy insurance. Have you tried talking to Social Services? They should be at least able to point you in the right direction.

    Government healthcare in my state is only for pregnant women, people with disabilities, and those over 65.
  • jmadamczyk
    jmadamczyk Posts: 25 Member
    No I'm actually being serious.

    I know someone from Lake Forest, IL, who last year bought travel health insurance before she went to visit her family in Vancouver, and then she got sick while she was in VA and her insurance covered it.

    I don't know the trip itself would cost quite a bit of money. But it is an idea. I just can't afford to go to Canada every time I need to get to the doctor.
  • Begood03
    Begood03 Posts: 1,259 Member
    I lost my healthcare insurance because of Obamacare, so I wish you all the best.
  • corn63
    corn63 Posts: 1,580 Member
    I wish you all the best in the future. Hopefully you can receive some assistance. Have you looked for debt relief on your medical bills?
  • ChloeRoseLejeune
    ChloeRoseLejeune Posts: 488
    I lost my healthcare insurance because of Obamacare, so I wish you all the best.

    Sorry if this sounds ignorant. But how does public healthcare work in the US? Is there even such a thing?

    I'm from Canada, I always hear people comparing the healthcare, but I never really understood the American side of things.
  • corn63
    corn63 Posts: 1,580 Member
    I lost my healthcare insurance because of Obamacare, so I wish you all the best.

    Sorry if this sounds ignorant. But how does public healthcare work in the US? Is there even such a thing?

    I'm from Canada, I always hear people comparing the healthcare, but I never really understood the American side of things.

    American healthcare works differently for everybody based on their insurance status and (sadly) economic status.
  • ChloeRoseLejeune
    ChloeRoseLejeune Posts: 488
    I lost my healthcare insurance because of Obamacare, so I wish you all the best.

    Sorry if this sounds ignorant. But how does public healthcare work in the US? Is there even such a thing?

    I'm from Canada, I always hear people comparing the healthcare, but I never really understood the American side of things.

    American healthcare works differently for everybody based on their insurance status and (sadly) economic status.

    So essentially you have to pay for everything unless you have private health insurance, is that right?
  • corn63
    corn63 Posts: 1,580 Member
    I lost my healthcare insurance because of Obamacare, so I wish you all the best.

    Sorry if this sounds ignorant. But how does public healthcare work in the US? Is there even such a thing?

    I'm from Canada, I always hear people comparing the healthcare, but I never really understood the American side of things.

    American healthcare works differently for everybody based on their insurance status and (sadly) economic status.

    So essentially you have to pay for everything unless you have private health insurance, is that right?

    No, we have a public healthcare system to an extent. It's mainly a public assistance program and a lot of them are state based. We do have a national plan as well. But it's nothing compared to what is currently going into plan
  • ChloeRoseLejeune
    ChloeRoseLejeune Posts: 488
    Oh okay, thanks makes sense now. :)
  • corn63
    corn63 Posts: 1,580 Member
    Oh okay, thanks makes sense now. :)

    Yeah, we have public healthcare and private. I just don't wanna delve into it because one, I don't have the mental capacity tonight for a political battle. Two, there's so many aspects I don't know where to begin and three, its a moot point because its all changing anyways lol
  • jmadamczyk
    jmadamczyk Posts: 25 Member
    I lost my healthcare insurance because of Obamacare, so I wish you all the best.

    Sorry if this sounds ignorant. But how does public healthcare work in the US? Is there even such a thing?

    I'm from Canada, I always hear people comparing the healthcare, but I never really understood the American side of things.

    There is not government healthcare unless you are pregnant, disabled, or over 65 and even then it isn't that great. You get taxed if you DONT have it because people who didn't have it were going to the ER and not paying their bills, which put a strain on the government (our hospitals are subsidized) so now you get taxed for not having insurance. At this point I just don't know what to do. I need insurance. Everyone needs to go to the doctor. Private healthcare isn't even an option :(
  • Wickedbookworm1977
    Wickedbookworm1977 Posts: 162
    Oh okay, thanks makes sense now. :)

    Yeah, we have public healthcare and private. I just don't wanna delve into it because one, I don't have the mental capacity tonight for a political battle. Two, there's so many aspects I don't know where to begin and three, its a moot point because its all changing anyways lol

    I don't know why we can't do like what they do in CR. You have public hospitals for the "poor". And you have private hospitals with good healthcare, and good doctors for everyone else. I hope that's what we wind up doing here because my doctor will probably quit his practice once obamacare kicks in.
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    This thread will not end well.

    firefly-mal-explode.gif

    OP - I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I am also another one of the millions of uninsured Americans who cannot afford it, either through work or privately. My job would require 25% of my paycheck for their plan. No can do. My state also does not do state insurance for those who are not disabled, pregnant, or elderly. What little health care I do get is through local charities that run low income services.

    Their services are extremely limited.

    It sucks. It really, really does.
  • spud_chick
    spud_chick Posts: 2,640 Member
    I lost my healthcare insurance because of Obamacare, so I wish you all the best.

    Can you explain how exactly?
  • Wickedbookworm1977
    Wickedbookworm1977 Posts: 162
    I lost my healthcare insurance because of Obamacare, so I wish you all the best.

    Can you explain how exactly?

    Because of obamacare, most companies are going to pass off the cost of group health insurance to government healthcare (obamacare). It is cheaper for businesses this way. But for those of us with jobs, and those of us who have group insurance through these jobs, we are screwed. We will be forced to get obamacare or pay a penalty (or a tax as they like to call it) for not going with the us's socialized healthcare plan.
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    We will be forced to get obamacare or pay a penalty (or a tax as they like to call it) for not going with the us's socialized healthcare plan.

    No you won't. You will "forced" to do nothing if you already have health care. You get to keep what you have if you have it. Obama care offers cheaper government insurance for folks who don't have it and penalties for business who don't already offer health care.

    Doctors who quit will be doing so because they won't get paid the same insurance premiums that they do through private health care. In which case, don't let the door hit you on your way out, you freaking Hippocratic Oath hypocrite.
  • spud_chick
    spud_chick Posts: 2,640 Member
    I lost my healthcare insurance because of Obamacare, so I wish you all the best.

    Can you explain how exactly?

    Because of obamacare, most companies are going to pass off the cost of group health insurance to government healthcare (obamacare). It is cheaper for businesses this way. But for those of us with jobs, and those of us who have group insurance through these jobs, we are screwed. We will be forced to get obamacare or pay a penalty (or a tax as they like to call it) for not going with the us's socialized healthcare plan.

    You are speculating about possible futures.

    I was asking him why he says he lost his healthcare--something he purports to have already happened--as a result of Obamacare.
  • Eyesee
    Eyesee Posts: 111 Member
    I lost my healthcare insurance because of Obamacare, so I wish you all the best.

    Can you explain how exactly?

    Because of obamacare, most companies are going to pass off the cost of group health insurance to government healthcare (obamacare). It is cheaper for businesses this way. But for those of us with jobs, and those of us who have group insurance through these jobs, we are screwed. We will be forced to get obamacare or pay a penalty (or a tax as they like to call it) for not going with the us's socialized healthcare plan.

    You are speculating about possible futures.

    I was asking him why he says he lost his healthcare--something he purports to have already happened--as a result of Obamacare.

    This is exactly what I was going to say-- how the heck did you lose your healthcare because of Obamacare?

    I don't know individuals of any individuals that lost anything, just people who are afraid they will and already hated Obama.

    I gained healthcare because of Obamacare.

    I lost my healthcare when I was 18 because I was under my mother's insurance and there was no way that either of us could afford it privately. When Obamacare passed, I was allowed to use her employer insurance again until I was 26, so I had it for a few desperately needed years. Also, my mother was diagnosed with depression when I was young, and her doctor knew she had been suffering since adolescence so he wrote "1976" as the date her condition began, and because of that, for decades her insurance company wouldn't cover her doctors visits or medication because it was a "preexisting condition." They would finally be covering them now if that clause that OP mentioned weren't revoked.

    I don't have healthcare now either, and I'm really sorry I don't have a solution for OP or any of the rest of us. (I didn't know you lost your parents when you have a child.) My state only allows for healthcare if you're over 65, pregnant, or disabled. (And "disability" is not a word they use lightly-- it has to be really serious.)

    Let's just hope we don't get sick, or that our country will think the health of people who work hard but are too broke to afford medical costs is important soon. :ohwell:
  • Eyesee
    Eyesee Posts: 111 Member
    Ok, actually, I have an idea. Do you have/know a doctor that will certify that you have a disability? They just have to write a letter and possibly do a few more forms. (You might be able to find one at a community health clinic.) I'm not sure if your income level is going to screw anything up, but you might be eligible for MA (medical assistance) as it relates to your disability.

    Especially because of this: "Disabled individuals whose family income exceeds the established income limit may be eligible under the Medically Needy program. The Medically Needy program allows a person to use incurred/unpaid medical bills to "spend down" the difference between their income and the income limit to become eligible."

    http://dch.georgia.gov/medicaid-faqs

    Fill out an application and give them copies of your medical bills + the letter from your doc.

    This is for PA so ignore the first page, but the second page has some important info explaining to the doctor what filling out the form means (it's not welfare) and how to word it:

    http://www.phlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/provider.EAF-10.2010.pdf

    Once you get the application from the MA office nearest to you, you'll have a form the doc must fill out. Here's a template explaining how to word it to make sure you can get help:
    http://www.phlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/EAF-for-MAWD-doctor-lttr.pdf

    Also, DON'T list your baby's father on the application unless you are told you won't be eligible unless you do. There is no reason to bring his income into it, this will only make it harder. Your household on the application is you and your child.

    (Full disclosure: I used to work for the welfare system, and NO ONE listed their significant other, most of the time even if they were married.)

    I realize this is going to anger the Republican contingent, but right now I'm just concerned that you're not going to be able to get help when you really need it. Good luck, and let me know if there's anything else I can do / find out for you.
  • SeaRunner26
    SeaRunner26 Posts: 5,143 Member
    (Full disclosure: I used to work for the welfare system, and NO ONE listed their significant other, most of the time even if they were married.)

    Most of what the above poster sounds like a good plan. But the part I quoted is fraud. Fraud with the government can carry some heavy penalties of fines, prison time, or both. I wish you the best of luck getting coverage, but be careful what you get yourself into.
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    Oh okay, thanks makes sense now. :)

    Yeah, we have public healthcare and private. I just don't wanna delve into it because one, I don't have the mental capacity tonight for a political battle. Two, there's so many aspects I don't know where to begin and three, its a moot point because its all changing anyways lol

    I don't know why we can't do like what they do in CR. You have public hospitals for the "poor". And you have private hospitals with good healthcare, and good doctors for everyone else. I hope that's what we wind up doing here because my doctor will probably quit his practice once obamacare kicks in.

    Hm. Interesting. A completely different picture of your priorities from the one you're painting down in the politics forum.

    @OP sorry to hear it, I don't know what to tell you. Find a way to emigrate to a sane country maybe. And no, I'm not being mean I'm dead serious. American healthcare is sickening. I had no idea they revoked that clause, haven't been following politics lately because again, sickening. So now I'm even more sickened. Hope you figure something out soon.
  • charismanoodles
    charismanoodles Posts: 343 Member
    Reading this makes me happy to live in Australia :noway:
  • Eyesee
    Eyesee Posts: 111 Member
    (Full disclosure: I used to work for the welfare system, and NO ONE listed their significant other, most of the time even if they were married.)

    Most of what the above poster sounds like a good plan. But the part I quoted is fraud. Fraud with the government can carry some heavy penalties of fines, prison time, or both. I wish you the best of luck getting coverage, but be careful what you get yourself into.

    You're right, fraud is bad, but it's an issue of desperation for most people, which shows you just how broken the system is. Also, they don't fine you (people trying to get medical help generally don't have any money) or imprison you (that would take up waaaay too much space in our already overcrowded prisons), they just cut off your benefits or deny your application. If you're not married, I wouldn't recommend reporting his income.

    Then again, it's a personal decision and if you feel wrong about it, only do what you think is right. I was just telling you how the system usually works. People who use (and sometimes abuse) the system all the time know that, but people who genuinely need short-term help don't know these things and they end up getting no help when they desperately need it.
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