Medica

[wallflower]

I noticed in the locked insurance thread that someone mentioned that insurance has to take you even with pre-existing as long as have insurance 64 days back? This is interesting to me as my current and previous employer both had Medica as insurance. While Medica would gladly take my money, they would not cover anything relating to the CF. They also have a two page health history on the application. Soooo...I am still on Medicaid which sucks, because I also have potential to make more money, but can't because of the Medicaid limitations on 'resources.'

There are BCBS around here, so I guess that is comforting if it comes to that in the future (as many of you seem to have coverage through them). Have any of you had experiences with Medica or not being able to get insurance through work?

Barb 33 w/cf in MN

 

[luke]

The law that has mandated that hospitals/physicians protect your privacy is the same that guarantees pre existing coverage called the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability act (A.K.A. HIPPA). How long have you had coverage through your insurance now? Even if you did not have prior coverage the insurance must cover pre existing illnesses after 1 year of continual coverage. That one year can be through 2 different carriers, hence portability. I would encourage you to google HIPPA, empower you self with knowledge and give your insurance a call. Good luck...

In my un-expert opinion, if you have been on medicaid for more than a year you should be covered and your insurance is breaking the law.

Luke

 

[JazzysMom]

Again you have to read the fine print. They cant outright deny you coverage for a pre existing condition. They can require a waiting period & have maximum limits for benefits &/or require approval on things. To me its all the same....you need insurance benefits for CF & cant get them to cover what you need. They might as well come right out & refuse to cover you.

 

[Mockingbird]

Stupid loopholes! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif" border="0"> And stupid rich lawyers for creating them! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif" border="0"><img src="i/expressions/brokenheart.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

Does the pre-existing coverage law only apply to employer funded health insurance? Somehow I thought if you worked for a company that offered health insurance, paid for COBRA benefits until your insurance at your new employer took effect, then the new employer's insurance would have to cover any pre-existing conditions. I guess that's what Luke just said-duh!
Does this also apply if you purchased your own insurance plan thru BCBS and then decided to switch to another insurance company?

 

[anonymous]

It doesn't matter who your insurance is through, or whether it is an individual policy or work funded. As long as you have had continuous coverage for over 1 year, that is it has never lapsed for more that 64 days the new insurance must cover your pre-existing, no questions asked. I switched jobs a year ago and my new job had a 90 day waiting before I was eligable for insurance. So I went on Cobra for 30 days and then went without insurance for 60 days. When my new insurance finally picked up all I had to do was provide them proof of previous coverage and they started covering everything. I know some insurances can be hard to deal with. I now make sure to keep copies of letters when I cancel a policy. If you do not have the documentation you can call your previous insurance and ask them for a "Letter of Credible Coverage". I've had to do this a couple of times.

-Ann 25 w/CF

 

[wallflower]

Thanks for the responses. You've given me some good suggestions to check out. Yuk! - I hate dealing with insurance!!!!