Just found out I'm being kicked off parents insurance in a month, am freaking out

[nekura]

Generally its up to age 26 despite enrollment in school, but each state can vary. Louisiana is one of the worst as it cuts you off at 24. I have no income. I'm a student. I can't get stuck in the pre-existing condition hole, and I love my Uro and don't want to lose her.

http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=507840

In a nutshell.. I'm going to ask to be labeled disabled by her so maybe I can stay on their insurance until I can get my feet under me after graduating and finding a transcriptionist job that can be done from home. Its the only way.

Ideas?? Help???

[SharonA]

I am so sorry that this is happening. The only thought I have is talking with the Uro and seeing if she will let you slide with partial payments. If you have a good relationship with her, it is very possible that she will help you through this situation.

[mary124]

I do know that the doctor my son sees since he has no insurance (just his VA which is great but if he is really sick he will see his other doctor) anyway they do give discounts if you pay the payment right then and there.
I know its terrible to be without insurance whether you are ill or not....I know with all of my and my husbands health conditions we really need insurance.

[nekura]

I may have been wrong.. someone said the infomation I had was old and it is 26 for all states, but if not, I had read that if you have a disability while on your parents insurance you can stay on it indefinitely, and my uro replied back clearly that IC was a disability. So perhaps there's a way around this for me. I know she already charges me no co-pay just because I'm a student.

[mary124]

its the same with our insurance (BCBS of Texas) check on it.

[meagain]

Here's an idea. Make triple sure you BUY the extra auto medical insurance on your car. The medical amounts typically quoted cover e erybody BUT you. Many states have forced auto insurers to drop driver medical insurance as most people have health insurance so it would be duplicate, BUT
If you don't have any health insurance then do go visit your auto insurer and make sure to add on a maximum medical coverage for YOU on your car. It should only cost 100 or so a year.

At least you'd be protected from that kind of catastrophe somewhat.

Also since you are young there are add on policies like AFLAC that are inexpensive.

Then there is the federal PCHIP program that Obama set up for state without a high risk pool. In your age group the costs are LOW. Copays and deductibles aren't bad. Do a search for it online. I can't get that because of may age, it would cost my husband and I 1K monthly. At your age and fora a single person it's really inexpensive. Good luck to you!

[JenAZ07]

Yep...check out the PCIP insurance offered through the federal government. My hubby and I are in the process of applying for this. Its federal insurance (in place until 2014) that covers people with pre-existing issues for much less than private insurance. The one problem is that you have to go at least 6 months without "credible coverage" insurance before you can apply. We unfortunately learned that their definition of "credible coverage" is different than most insurance carriers and we have had to wait much longer than anticipated (paying cash for all our dr visits and meds. But we are finally starting the process. There are also state programs for people with pre-existing conditions and most of those are income based.....meaning you have to qualify for them (income wise) and they are also subsidized. Check into both.

@meagain -- we have been told that the cost for this insurance is less than $240/month (each) and we are in our mid-30s with many medical issues, so are you sure it will cost you guys that much? From what I read, that was the whole point, to provide affordable coverage for individuals with medical issues where they either couldn't get private coverage or the cost would be too high.

Another idea for people is to get what is called short term insurance. You do not have to pass a medical exam to get coverage (just answer a few (5-7) questions), but it does not cover any pre-existing conditions. It typically only costs $50-100/month, but will cover anything that comes up during coverage. So if you break your arm, get a sinus infection, get cancer, etc....all that would be covered assuming it was not pre-existing. My hubby and I had it for a while when we couldn't get regular insurance for less than $2,000/month and it was fine. Just added security. However, if you want to try for the PCIP program, do not get on short term ins as they consider this credible coverage and it will prolong you being able to apply (which is what happened to my hubby and I).

[DebbieT]

I thought under the new health care reform laws, that one could be on their parents health plan until the age of 26. You may want to check to see if this part of the law has gone into effect. I also was thinking that for children, they can't be turned down for preexisting conditions. I know eventually the preexisting law will cover everyone but not right now.

[sunshine99]

what did you end up doing?

any suggestions?

[sailawaygrl]

I think Debbie is correct. I know that the first part of the new healthcare laws are in effect and those are the one's that cover children. Children cannot be denied insurance for a pre-existing condition and dependents can stay on their parent's insurance until they reach the age of 27. I understood this to be a federal mandate and not optional for states. If you aren't sure about your state I would contact your state representatives office, I am sure they can clear this up for you.

Good luck to you.