Almost 26 years old. Parents insurance coverage expires in 9 months. Options?

[Node]

I'm 25 and will be 26 in March. I don't have a job that gives me access to affordable health insurance. I've been fighting an m.abcessus/m.avium lung infection since january with oral/IV antibiotics. I'm not sure I'm ready for full time work even though im much healither than I was before. SSI/SSDI is not a good option due to the fact I can't afford to pay my college loans + pay bills + eat on such low income. Seems my only option is to find full-time work with insurance even though that could put my health at risk due to over exertion.
I'm very frustrated. All my potential income will be funnelled into college loans/medical bills/insurance. I'm not sure how many years I have left due to the nature of the m.abcessus infection and it seems like I'll be spending whatever time and extra income I get on scraping by.
Any advice on how best to find insurance that will keep me alive without sapping every last dime I make would be greatly appreciated. Thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
CF sucks a bag of donkey dicks.

 

[welshwitch]

It's tough catch 22 for CFers, so I totally relate. You have to work to get health insurance, (often full time) but working can wear us out and make us sick.

That said, my solution has been to always work jobs that offered health insurance--no other options. Here are some fields I've worked in and had time/energy to maintain my health:

*taught high school
*worked at a non profit doing fundraising
*worked at a startup
*worked at a hospital doing digital media
*worked at community organizations

All of these jobs have given me the health insurance that I need to live without going broke. I'm 32 and I've worked for the past 10 years straight. If your health is going to be a problem, I'd definitely recommend talking to a career counselor and your CF center counselor about your options. Career counseling is GREAT to help you see what's out there. Good luck!

 

[running4life]

I'm in the same exact situation. My health care will expire in March. I'm thinking of going on COBRA for another year. I'm a personal trainer so I cannot afford to get my own insurance. Think about COBRA as an option for another year.

 

[peter]

The college loan program seems to have some bad press where some bank administration of it borders on predator and fraud. If however, your loan underwriter is ethical and you have proof of your health diminished condition, there may be clauses about significant illness and deferring payment, or may be a job counseling interview can help you find a job that forgives your loan over the time worked and includes government backed health insurance as well; often related to teaching in economically depressed areas (including Indian reservations). Also it needs to be within adequate distance to a cf center or doctor(s) who "get" infection fighting. Is it also possible a second opinion might result in a different and more effective infection management protocol.
Peter

 

[Printer]

Have you applied for State Health Assistance. The Social Worker on your CF Team can assist you.

Bill

 

[welshwitch]

Also I'd like to add that I called the CF Hotline today. It's a free hotline run by an attorney with CF to help patients deal with all types of issues. I'm calling them regarding health insurance issues (I'm in the process of changing jobs and I need to understand the different options with different plans) and I bet they could help you.

The # is 1-800-622-0385. Give it a try and let us know what you find out.

 

[Hardak]

I would still look into the SSI subject, they commonly won't cut the medical completely unless your pulling in a-lot of money.

 

[kayers3]

You can remain covered on your parents' insurance as a "disabled dependent". You shouldnt have any problems qualifying for that. Id have your parents contact their insurance and find out what needs to be done for that. There is no age limit for that. Your parents will obviously have to keep paying for that coverage. If they are able to do that for you it would be a huge benefit. It it would be a monetary struggle you could see about working whatever you are able to and using your paycheck to help compensate them for your portion of the insurance.

 

[kayers3]

Wow. Sorry about ending so many sentences with "that". It's late and I'm clearly tired. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[julie]

1. I second what Kyla said, depending on their particular insurance policy's definition of disability.
2. If you go on SSI you will qualify for state medical. Alternatively if you qualify for SSDI, that would most likely meet your parents ins. companys definition of insurance and you could remain on their insurance.
3. If you go on SSI/SSDI, you can apply for a conditional disability discharge of your student loans (I've assisted successfully with 4 of these), and if after 3 years you are still "disabled" they are permanently discharged (federal loans).

I'm happy to help with any of these 3 items.

 

[Node]

My loans are private not federal. My doctor has to declare me "permanently disabled" to discharge the loans which she wont do. Which makes me think I won't qualify for disabled depedent either. So my options are to somehow be declared "permanently disabled" and never work again...eliminating my debt but preventing me from ever making enough to leave my parents house. or work my ass off paying off my loans and never make enough to leave my parents house. I'm trying to remain positive about the situation but it seems REALLY bleak.