what do you do when health insurance rejects you?
I’m a student and have been on my parent’s health insurance for awhile. However, that’s expiring and now I need to purchase my own health insurance. Unfortuantely, I’ve been rejected for a few plans due to a very small problem (rare panic attacks, which have been taken care of for some time with a medication that’s not very expensive at all). So, if this keeps happening, what do I do? Just accept that I can’t have health insurance? And how will I get my medication? Will I be forced to buy illegally over the internet? What do people do in these situations?
I’m fine paying for the perscription myself. However, because it’s controlled I have to have a doctor renew my perscription every month. So…I need a doctor! One that will see me and that I can afford to visit!
Usually, applying for health insurance is simiar to car insurance. There may be different plan levels. They may not be as good as what you had with your parents but you want to be able to go to the doctor and get medication. Check with the local Health and Human Services department. They may know of some other options for you – some cheaper options for you. When I graduated from college, I got my own health insurance but had to accept a higher deductible to get coverage. It will take some discipline to save for an emergency, but you’ll have coverage. The doctor’s office may also be able to offer some information.
Just keep looking for one, doesn’t matter if you keep getting rejected.
And if you don’t get one you wont have to buy your medication illegally, just get a prescription from a doctor and you cant buy it legally.
Have you tried student insurance. Have you tried whatever company is most popular in your state? For example Bue Cross and Blue Shield doesnt discriminate.
get a tent
camp out on the lawn of that insurance company till they deal with it
Go for a plan that doesn’t have any prescription coverage, or accept a policy that will exclude all coverages for your pre-existing condition.
Alternatively, you can get a major medical policy with a high deductible.
Most people get a job, have their preexisting conditions excluded for the first 18 months, then have coverage.
If the medication “isn’t that expensive” I don’t understand why you’re not willing to pay for it. If it IS expensive, well, that’s why the INSURANCE companies don’t want to pay for it.
Insurance companies can not rejected you, if your condition was covered under your previous policy. If you have gone without health insurance for 60 days, then they can put riders on preexisting conditions.
You will have to show them your certificate of credible coverage, after you get your new insurance, and then they will allow your panic attacks to be covered. Your parents insurance will automatically mail it to you, after you cxl coverage with them. You need to get your new insurance before the other expires. In other words, don’t wait to get the certificate before you get other insurance.
If for some reason that would fail, each state has a policy that you can buy. It can be more expensive, but there are no preexisting waivers.
Call your state insurance commissioner’s office. Some states have “high risk pools” that will cover you. (It’s not as bad as you think!)
If there’s no high risk pool in your state, the commissioner’s office should be able to give you some alternatives.
Question: did you elect COBRA after your coverage under your parents’ policy ended? If not, you should look into it. (Not all employers have to offer COBRA — only those with 20 or more employees — but some states have laws that extend this continuation right to small employers.
The insurance companies you have applied to see you as an increased risk. Many companies offer coverage to persons seen to be a greater risk by charging higher premiums or excluding events that are traceable to the condition they don’t like (according to you, your panic attacks). You don’t say whether you have applied for coverage through internet insurers but internet insurers are most interested in low risk clients. Spend a few minutes with a reputable insurance agent. A reputable agent will give you some additional information and probably be able to guide you to a company which will give you the coverage you want with preimiums you can afford. Good luck.
Are you applying for private health insurance or as part of a group employer’s benefit? Blue Cross is very selective on private plans, but the group coverage may exclude prior illness for a fixed amount of time and cover everything else.
I would look for at least a part-time job that gives group medical like a bank, credit union or something in your field. You don’t want to go without coverage. State Farm is also selective but may offer a short term three month policy while you are hunting for a part time job that offers insurance (Chase bank is one). See what insurance is available through your college if enrolled.
Every state has what is called “high risk” plans. They are exactly what they say…..they insure what other companies think are high risk. These policies can be quite expensive though. The company that your parents are with should be able to transfer you to your own policy without underwriting (you will have the same policy you are on now but it will be under your own name). I would look into the latter option before going with a high risk plan.
Depending on your state you may not be able to obtain insurance on your own.
However, because you are loosing your benefits that were provided by your parents employers, you are eligible for COBRA for 36 months. Your parents need to discuss this option with the Human Resource department of their employer.
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_cobra.html
Michigan GA for Consumers Life Insurance Co.
What state are you in?
Try:http://www.consumerslifephp.com/
If you are looking for affordable health insurance as and individual try Consumers Life Insurance Company. They have some really nice PPO and HSA products. Each plan is designed to mimic a group plan.
They will rate you but most likely not reject your application.