t_oshan2003
Board Addict
Reged: 10/17/03
Posts: 326
Loc: East
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My wife has diabities type I. Luckiliy we both work and are able to have good health insurance. I was told by a friend that no insurance carriers would cover her if we had both lost our jobs and had to go to private insurance since she is diabetic (cobra not included, I know that lasts like 18 months)
Is this true, can someone with diabities still get private health coverage ?
It worries me that if I ever wanted to start my business back up (very small, no possiblilty of health ins. on my end) that we may be screwed with no one giving us coverage.
Anyone know anymore ???
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DonBarba
Board Addict
Reged: 04/02/04
Posts: 301
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I've looked into this alot, as I am in the position of not being able to get private insurance due to a previous medical problem.
It depends on your state . Some states have guaranteed issue private insurance, meaning you can't be turned down for previous conditions.
A few states I'm aware of are CT = No while New York & Vermont = Yes.
Several states have web sites (Vermonts is very comprehensive). If you want to post or PM your state I may have more info.
Also you mention starting your own business. I am able to get GROUP insurance in my state due to laws making insurance available to small businesses - which my wife has. It is however NOT cheap.
Best of luck.
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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In Minnesota, an insurer cannot rider you for a pre-existing condition so long as you have not had a lapse in coverage for more than 90 consecutive days.
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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johng
Board Addict
Reged: 02/13/03
Posts: 358
Loc: great lakes
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as long as you do not have a break in coverge they can not use the pre exsting clause. What I did was buy catastophic (sp) ins it was like 500 for 3 months. it only was only good fro major things (not md visits) BUT it counts as ins and applies to the prevention of pre exsiting clauses. it was an easy way for me to not worry when i got coverage from my employer it is a cheap easy way to help
john
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Ask and it will be given to you Matthew 7:7
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DonBarba
Board Addict
Reged: 04/02/04
Posts: 301
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Quote:
as long as you do not have a break in coverge they can not use the pre exsting clause
This may be true in your state but it varies by state. In my state they can refuse individual coverage based on pre existing conditions - regardless of whether you have a break in coverage or not. -- which sucks by the way
I believe it IS true for the original poster.
This is a good site which has Consumer guide lines for many (all?) states.
http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/
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curiousdee
Member
Reged: 05/29/04
Posts: 167
Loc: Southeast U.S.
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The HIPPA LAW of 1996 (Health Insurance Portability Act of 1996) The Kennedy/Kassubaum Bill made it possible for you and your wife to have insurance coverage if you should decide. It is a federal law. As long as you have Group Health Coverage now and do not let it lapse you can get covered. The Certificate of Credible Coverage supplied by your insurance carrier is the document that covers any pre-existing ailments. If you have it your new carrier isn't allowed by law to put pre-existing conditions on you. I managed a large healthplan is the southeast for a number of years. Some states do have state pools that you can get insurance through if it is necessary. It is still possible for a small business owner to get insurance. Contact your local Chamber of Commerce. If you want to pm me and tell me what state you are in I may know of a plan or an administrator in your area. Good Luck.
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DonBarba
Board Addict
Reged: 04/02/04
Posts: 301
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Quote:
The HIPPA LAW of 1996 (Health Insurance Portability Act of 1996) The Kennedy/Kassubaum Bill made it possible for you and your wife to have insurance coverage if you should decide. It is a federal law
This is true but at least in my state is VERY expensive (>$1000 for a man over 50)
It is considered the high risk pool for people that can't get individual policies.
Anyway this is not an issue for the original poster as his/her state does have guaranteed issue, and no pre-existing with continued coverage.
Lucky person - Oh I'm not at all bitter  about my state laws - I have seriously considered moving because of this and may yet.
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curiousdee
Member
Reged: 05/29/04
Posts: 167
Loc: Southeast U.S.
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DonBarbara call your local Chamber of Commerce and see if they offer a Small Business Health Plan. A lot of Chamber's use this as a retention tool and as a way to get small business owners to join the Chamber. Or you could try a small insurance agency that specializes in writing healthcare policies. Sometimes a healthcare company is desperate (that's right) enough to offer the Chamber or an Insurace Company a ryder that states new issues would not be subject to any pre existing. I have seen it done in Florida, Ohio and in Alabama. Is that a state funded high risk plan you are talking about that is $1,000 a month? Anyway, Good luck to you.
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DonBarba
Board Addict
Reged: 04/02/04
Posts: 301
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As I said above
Quote:
I am able to get GROUP insurance in my state due to laws making insurance available to small businesses -
My state requires carriers to provide group insurance for small businesses.
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