Colitis and Health insurance
Question:
Better hurry! You only have 30 days (I think) to apply for cobra! Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the X’s from my email address:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Can I get on CORBA even if I leave the job voluntarily? I know it is > applicable if you are fired/laid off. > I have pretty much decided to leave my 8-5 job and start my own. It > will be atleast 12-18 months to generate significant revenue so that I > can apply for group insurance for my own company. But my main concern > is what if something happens before I can get group insurance? > I truly feel sorry all those millions without insurance. The whole > thing sucks.
Response:
> Hi, > Don’t know how this works in other countries, but in the UK, I was > refused insurance straight after my first diagnosis, but then on the > advice of an adviser, applied again when I’d had no symptoms for over 24 > months. Got accepted but ‘loaded’ (increased premiums) by 200%. This was > for life assurance, critical illness insurance and permanent health > insurance. Three young children and me the main breadwinner so little > choice but to pay. I have to say that since then my symptoms, and > diagnosis have got worse so I would have less chance. > If only I’d got it all sorted when I was young, in 100% health!
So, is it to be taken for granted that the NHS has become next to useless in such a health condition as yours ? For what I know, I suppose that everyone is being covered, but that you would have to wait forever, or, at least, for years, until your turn come to be admitted for an operation ?
Response:
Oh no, the NHS has always done well in emergency/critical situations….it’s with those painful, annoying and chronic conditions that it has the problems! Having said that…..much depends on the doctors involved. At present I see my gastroenterologist about every 6 months (he says 4, but the queues are too long!). He ordered a colonoscopy recently…..and the next ‘non-urgent’ appointment is 6 months away. BUT he always reminds me that I can get in touch with him directly if I have problems, and he’ll arrange to see me immediately. I do in fact have private insurance (continued from a group scheme I joined when I was in employment), but not all consultants have a private practice – in fact I’d have to go to a hospital other than my local one to get private treatment. andrew
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > Don’t know how this works in other countries, but in the UK, I was > refused insurance straight after my first diagnosis, but then on the > advice of an adviser, applied again when I’d had no symptoms for over 24 > months. Got accepted but ‘loaded’ (increased premiums) by 200%. This was > for life assurance, critical illness insurance and permanent health > insurance. Three young children and me the main breadwinner so little > choice but to pay. I have to say that since then my symptoms, and > diagnosis have got worse so I would have less chance. > If only I’d got it all sorted when I was young, in 100% health! > So, is it to be taken for granted that the NHS has become next to useless > in such a health condition as yours ? For what I know, I suppose that > everyone is being covered, but that you would have to wait forever, or, at > least, for years, until your turn come to be admitted for an operation ?
Response:
Wow.. Thanks to Hans, Mike and many others who have responed. I think my best option is to use CORBA for now. These things are damn expensive!!
Response:
Hello, One other avenue to consider: in most states, there is a 30-day window every fiscal year where insurance companies must take all applicants, regardless of pre-existing conditions. You may want to contact your state’s board of insurance to find out when this period is. As for why no Canadian companies sell Colazal, maybe Salix saw the writing on the wall and decided to simply skip the Canadian market to avoid their price controls. It’s a brand new drug so no generics exist. However, 6MP is now available in generic form in case you’re on that. As a self-employed UC patient, I know how tough this insurance thing is. Best of luck to you.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> All- > I have Colitis for last 2 years and been on Colazal since then. It > seems to be under control overall. Fortunately I had insurance from my > employer all along, but not any more. So what are my options. Few > companies I had called declined outright due to this pre-condition. > Does anyone have any suggestion on how to get insured. If no one cover > me, what happens if emergency strikes? Are there any > non-profit/government funds/agency that I can rely on? > Also any suggestion why canadian companes dont sell colazal? Is there > a another name for this drug or alternate drugs? > Thanks and any help will be greatly appreciated.
Response:
In the US there is Blue Cross Blue Shield / Highmark. They offer a policy that has no pre-existing conditions. It is pricy but so is surgury. Look in Google for them. Paul Pinyot.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> All- > I have Colitis for last 2 years and been on Colazal since then. It > seems to be under control overall. Fortunately I had insurance from my > employer all along, but not any more. So what are my options. Few > companies I had called declined outright due to this pre-condition. > Does anyone have any suggestion on how to get insured. If no one cover > me, what happens if emergency strikes? Are there any > non-profit/government funds/agency that I can rely on? > Also any suggestion why canadian companes dont sell colazal? Is there > a another name for this drug or alternate drugs? > Thanks and any help will be greatly appreciated.
Response:
Hi, Don’t know how this works in other countries, but in the UK, I was refused insurance straight after my first diagnosis, but then on the advice of an adviser, applied again when I’d had no symptoms for over 24 months. Got accepted but ‘loaded’ (increased premiums) by 200%. This was for life assurance, critical illness insurance and permanent health insurance. Three young children and me the main breadwinner so little choice but to pay. I have to say that since then my symptoms, and diagnosis have got worse so I would have less chance. If only I’d got it all sorted when I was young, in 100% health! Stef. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->All- >I have Colitis for last 2 years and been on Colazal since then. It >seems to be under control overall. Fortunately I had insurance from my >employer all along, but not any more. So what are my options. Few >companies I had called declined outright due to this pre-condition. >Does anyone have any suggestion on how to get insured. If no one cover >me, what happens if emergency strikes? Are there any >non-profit/government funds/agency that I can rely on? >Also any suggestion why canadian companes dont sell colazal? Is there >a another name for this drug or alternate drugs? >Thanks and any help will be greatly appreciated.
Response:
Can I get on CORBA even if I leave the job voluntarily? I know it is applicable if you are fired/laid off. I have pretty much decided to leave my 8-5 job and start my own. It will be atleast 12-18 months to generate significant revenue so that I can apply for group insurance for my own company. But my main concern is what if something happens before I can get group insurance? I truly feel sorry all those millions without insurance. The whole thing sucks.
Response:
Hi sputnik, Here’s a good site that can answer a lot of these types of questions: http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm Hope this helps. — Regards, Hans * Remove NOSPAM from address to send directly to me.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Can I get on CORBA even if I leave the job voluntarily? I know it is > applicable if you are fired/laid off. > I have pretty much decided to leave my 8-5 job and start my own. It > will be atleast 12-18 months to generate significant revenue so that I > can apply for group insurance for my own company. But my main concern > is what if something happens before I can get group insurance? > I truly feel sorry all those millions without insurance. The whole > thing sucks.
Response:
Oh, sorry, I also meant to say that, yes, you are eligible for COBRA if you leave voluntarily. Actually, you’re eligible as long as you aren’t terminated for gross misconduct. — Regards, Hans * Remove NOSPAM from address to send directly to me.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi sputnik, > Here’s a good site that can answer a lot of these types of questions: > http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm > Hope this helps. > — > Regards, > Hans > * Remove NOSPAM from address to send directly to me. > Can I get on CORBA even if I leave the job voluntarily? I know it is > applicable if you are fired/laid off. > I have pretty much decided to leave my 8-5 job and start my own. It > will be atleast 12-18 months to generate significant revenue so that I > can apply for group insurance for my own company. But my main concern > is what if something happens before I can get group insurance? > I truly feel sorry all those millions without insurance. The whole > thing sucks.
Response:
All- I have Colitis for last 2 years and been on Colazal since then. It seems to be under control overall. Fortunately I had insurance from my employer all along, but not any more. So what are my options. Few companies I had called declined outright due to this pre-condition. Does anyone have any suggestion on how to get insured. If no one cover me, what happens if emergency strikes? Are there any non-profit/government funds/agency that I can rely on? Also any suggestion why canadian companes dont sell colazal? Is there a another name for this drug or alternate drugs? Thanks and any help will be greatly appreciated.
Response:
Why did you lose insurance? You may be able to COBRA (pay for it on your own) it. You’re pretty much screwed. Depending on your state, an HMO may be forced to take you, but you’d still have to pay lots of $$$. You are pretty much screwed. Get another job, or get on welfare. Medicaid will take you if you’re poor enough (i.e. living out of a cardboard box). Considering that there are essnetially no generic IBD drugs (a consipiracy, I tell ya!), even though many of the patents have long since expired, you probably will soon be poor enough to get on medicaid! Thanks, Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > All- > I have Colitis for last 2 years and been on Colazal since then. It > seems to be under control overall. Fortunately I had insurance from my > employer all along, but not any more. So what are my options. Few > companies I had called declined outright due to this pre-condition. > Does anyone have any suggestion on how to get insured. If no one cover > me, what happens if emergency strikes? Are there any > non-profit/government funds/agency that I can rely on? > Also any suggestion why canadian companes dont sell colazal? Is there > a another name for this drug or alternate drugs? > Thanks and any help will be greatly appreciated.
Response:
The CCFA has a webcast about this topic. It doesn’t go into a lot of detail but it’ll cover some of the issues. http://www.ccfa.org/about/edprograms There are laws regarding pre-existing conditions and that they have to be covered by any new insurance *assuming* there is no break in coverage. If you left your job less than a certain period (60 or 90 days I believe) you can apply for COBRA. It’s expensive, but guarantees coverage under your employers plan. Then, when you move to a new plan, they have to cover your pre-existing condition (usually). If you allow a break in your coverage, things are not in your favor, so it is worth shelling out for COBRA (which you can do for something like 18 months). If you are dirt poor, Medicaid will cover your costs. But you have to be poooor. Hope this helps some. — Regards, Hans * Remove NOSPAM from address to send directly to me.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> All- > I have Colitis for last 2 years and been on Colazal since then. It > seems to be under control overall. Fortunately I had insurance from my > employer all along, but not any more. So what are my options. Few > companies I had called declined outright due to this pre-condition. > Does anyone have any suggestion on how to get insured. If no one cover > me, what happens if emergency strikes? Are there any > non-profit/government funds/agency that I can rely on? > Also any suggestion why canadian companes dont sell colazal? Is there > a another name for this drug or alternate drugs? > Thanks and any help will be greatly appreciated.
Response:
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