Health Insurance

[munchkinette]

Right now I'm paying too much for Cobra (Blue Cross of Cal.). It runs out in a few months, but I'm taking a freelance job anyway so I'll need my own insurance. Who here pays their own insurance that is separate from their jobs?

I know timing is important. I've had a negative blood test but I see the allergist on Tuesday. At some point I'd like to get the enterolab, but I know that isn't always covered. So should I switch before I have some kind of dx? Are insurance companies likely to decline me if I rack up a bunch of negative tests? Will they not cover me if I get a dx within a certain number of months of switching? I'm not sure what my deal is (celiac, NC gluten intolerance, or just an allergy), but I'm my gran was celiac. (how that dx was achieved I don't know; it was the 1940s)

Any advice? My current insurance runs out at the end of August, and I'd like to switch as soon as possible. I'm considering Health Net.

[Guest Robbin]

Hi Amy, I would definitely get the insurance first, then get any official dx you need. The less on your medical history file the easier it will be to get insurance. Sometimes you have a "pre-existing condition" clause that will not cover any pre-existing illness or condition for a year or sometimes longer after you sign up. Take care & good luck!

[plantime]

I agree with Robbin, get the insurance before the diagnosis. If you do a search through the boards, you will find several threads where we discussed insurance, and the increased premiums and refused coverage that went with a formal celiac diagnosis.

[Guest Zmom]

Does your local chamber of commerce offer health insurance? When we started up our small buisiness it was $300+ cheaper a month than cobra without RX. (perscription coverage) We only have a rare antibiotic so it saves. I think we had 5 or 6 different choices that were given to us by the chamber of commerce. and we ended up with better coverage than we had before,cheaper office visit co-pays. Our medical hx did not make a difference with the cost of premium. Call around to insurance agents that deal with more than one health insurance company and ask about state laws and for them to send you comparative info. Once you make a choice or two they send you enrollment info and a practioner book so you can see if you can keep your reg. Dr.s

I pay for enterolab out of pocket-I did not even try to submit them. But if you have your Dr.'s office call. you can probably talk them into covering it.Sometimes it takes a few tries until you get the right person on the insurance side. I friend of mine used to be a nurse that worked for an insurance co.-Thats what she told me.

[kbtoyssni]

Do you have a college degree? If so, your alumni association may have cheaper health insurance available. I went to UW-Madison and the alumni insurance is a great price.

[Jen H]

I switched health care plans before my diagnosis and found that it was a good choice. As someone already mentioned, some health care insurers do NOT cover pre-existing illnesses. It may be a good idea to look around and see what certain plans offer. When we moved to Massachusetts, I went online and did some research of my own. I called the different companies and had information sent to my house. When I lived in California, I had PacifiCare insurance. It was through my work, but very reasonably priced for my husband and I. It may be worth looking into.