"And my advice to you is 'Don't get sick.'"

[naamah_darling]

In other news, I received a not-entirely-unexpected kick to the groin that is my life. I've now been turned down for insurance twice, meaning that very soon I will not have insurance.

I can't explain the situation fully. It's all acronyms and if/thens and deductibles and bullshit and so forth. I don't understand it at all, which makes me feel

Comments

[tlatoani]

Wait, what? Did you have a gap in coverage?

[lyssabard]

That was my question. If you were previously covered for a pre existing condition within a certain time period (like last year?), I think it is illegal to deny you coverage. The insurance company, when you switch, has to pick up.

I am not an expert at all though--can his HR department help, if this is through his job?

I am so sorry you are going through this. Insurance companies are utterly evil.

[naamah_darling]

Nope.

Like I said, I don't understand how this is working. I've had it explained to me twice, and I'm still too foggy from the drugs not working right to follow it for more than ten seconds.

Sargon understands.

[tlatoani]

I know the regs, and I'm not seeing how it could happen, unless Sargon isn't part of a group health plan. I'd be happy to discuss if you'd like, or stay out of it if that's easier.

[mgafm]

I would respond with yes, I've been through it. I've been through having to go to the emergency room more often that any one person should because I couldn't get insurance to cover my asthma and I therefore couldn't afford to properly medicate it. But instead I think I'm just going to scream in rage at the fuckers who refused to pursue the public option.

ARRRGHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[almalthia]

I hate insurance companies.

"Sargon, because he doesn't have any chronic health problems and thus theoretically won't actually need the insurance, is insurable."

Precisely! It's stupid that they are more willing to pay for the people that never get sick. Yeah, I know it's how it works, but damnit, help those in need. Throw us a motherfucking bone now and then, huh??

My girlfriend is over $300K in debt, for medical expenses. $300K!! That's Three Hundred THOUSAND dollars .. and we're willing to bet, if we ever bothered to add up the little bits here and there, that it's far worse than that

[chorus_of_chaos]

the number one reason for filing bankruptcy by families or individuals for the last 10 years now has been health related bills.

truefax

[britgeekgrrl]

I'm trying to get the most out of my last few days of coverage (refills galore!) as I'm sure I'll be uninsurable as soon as my current coverage lapses. *sigh*

Unfortunately, cruise lines aren't known for health plans "Carry your own coverage" is about as helpful as they get...

[sjo]

I hate to recommend this, BUT... write to your Congresscritters. Send them company names, names of regulators in your state, etc. You'd be surprised what a constituent letter can achieve when all else fails. I'd be happy to help draft something if you like.

[indigotea]

I second this suggestion, and add local (liberal) media outlets. By "local", I mean any outlet within a 200-mile radius. Unemployment, and health insurance are still news "hot buttons", and media attention can still cause those insurance mofo's to squirm under the spotlight, and fix the issue rather than have the situation go "on the record".

[sjo]

Good thinking!