Thanks for your reply...it is apparently not considered a pre-existing condition, but the specific RX.

Folks in the industry I have talked with seem to agree that particular aspect of the reform probably will not take effect until at least October if at all this year.

I am optimistic, though, about getting decent coverage at an affordable price.

Cheers! 

Realizing that I'm really late to this party (I'm new to the community); I'd like to weigh in out of a desire to help. I'm an HR type so have some knowledge of health insurance (not an insurance expert, but have working knowledge):

Have you explored COBRA from your employer? Unless your employer is very small, they are required to offer it. Yes, it is very expensive - but all conditions that are now covered by the plan will be covered, without exception, for up to 18 months. And depending on the state you live in, you'll qualify for "HIPPA" guaranteed issue insurance when COBRA terminates. Again, maybe costly, but your pre-existing conditions will be covered, giving you peace of mind.

Some folks don't realize just how far reaching "pre existing conditions" can be. Insurers rely heavily on this clause for cost-avoidance. Anything for which you were treated that is even remotely related to a medical condition that later manifests could be considered a pre-ex.

Unfortunately, under health reform, the elimination of the pre-existing condition exclusion doesn't kick in for adults until 2014. Only for kids is it eliminated sooner than that.

My best advice: since you're currently working, tap the expertise of your benefits department. Generally, these folks are very knowledgeable about all sorts of things related to any kind of insured benefits. They can help you explore all the options. And is they are like my colleagues who specialize in that area, if they can't personally answer your question, they'll connect you with experts who can.

Another reason to connect with your HR or Benefits office: There are many other factors (such as, but not limited to retirement plan vesting) that we all need to at least consider before jumping off the gerbil wheel of work. I've seen people who happily announce a last minute plan to retire, only to find that if they waited just another 6 months, they'd have had a much larger contribution to the retirement plan. Maybe you'd still take the plunge in that case, but it always helps to be aware of the full picture.

Hope this helps!

-- Edited by mooline on Sunday 12th of September 2010 05:22:34 AM

I have been dodging this post because my current position is as an IT and Security exec for an insurance company, if I go back in Nov anyway, lol. That said, I have learned a LOT about insurance in this and other countries as well as having many friends in countries that have those programs. I have to say, there are major pros and cons both ways, if you actually analyze them fully. Were screwed here because of how medical billing, supply and insurance all work. It's honestly worse than the Ma Bell monopoly ever was and is a large part of why our insurance costs so much. But while socialized medicine or healthcare is a wonderful concept, it has yet to be pulled off well. Some countries (or more often specific regions within some countries) do better than others, but there is horrid wait issues, poor care/diag/etc, other issues as well. I have a friend in edinburug Scotland who has been suffering horridly for several years and their medical system did nothing for him. When I say suffering, I mean he went from being a pro kick boxer to being disabled and bed ridden half the time. I made him go to a doctor when he visited me here, paid for the visit and dragged him in. 2 days later, we knew he was gluten intolerant and within 2 weeks of adjusting diet and weaning off meds, he was healthy again.


Like I said, pros and cons both ways, neither is perfect by far.


as to coverage choices, being way too young for Medicare, I will likely go high deductible plan, since I have so little medical needs that I really need more catastrophe coverage than daily use. I will add in an rx+vision+basic dental to make those needs cheaper, which also usually comes with other discounts. Unfortunately one really bad thing about the insurance in this country is how beaucoup expensive it is unless you work for a company large enough or smart enough to finagle a broad based HMO/PPO group coverage.


that's my two cents on this one,

You have a good point Remi.  The real problem is that we state we have a free market but we don't let the free market work.  Free market anything depends on competition and there really is not competiton in the Health Insurance market.

Definitely, that's actually why I recommended ehealthinsurance.com, because while they offer the instant approval type products, they also front for full underwriting products as well, including individual major med and such.

Mooline is right though, if you have pre-existing conditions, you need to do a lot of homework or find a good, independent agent, or 3 and compare what they tell you. Insurance is like the mafia, lots of twists and turns and no one can make full sense of it, even the corporate executives, lol.

Oui, pretty much dead on. It depends on the actual policy, but much like consumer credit, 7 to 10 years back on pre-existing conditions on an individual policy. That's why I am going for a high deductible plan myself. Individual coverage is expensive & my migraines would be pre-ex, so either decline or not covered anyway. If you can get on a sponsored small group plan, like through AARPm Small Business Assoc., etc., then it's much more affordable. Another option, depending on age, state, etc. Are limited benefit plans that cover some maitenance medical care, but nothing too costly, then add a high deductible plan for emergencies. Insurance is never easy to deal with unless you're extremely lucky.

Since I started this topic, guess I'll update on our status.  We did seek and got coverage through AARP/Aetna.  It is within our budget and suits our needs.  So far, so good!

Having spent a winter with Dave in Scotland prior to our marriage and having relatives across The Pond, I know of positive and negative experiences with their National Health Service.  Based on that, I can only say that we have positive and negative experiences with our healthcare system here, too.

Good luck to all still searching for a viable health insurance solution!

-- Edited by TxYellowRose on Thursday 16th of September 2010 12:07:40 PM

Well, while we are on this topic, does anyone ACTUALLY know if the new healthcare laws will force the insurance companies not to rate people with existing conditions, or just force them to "accept" them? I have heard horror stories from both sides of the coin, and can see pros and cons to both sides, and I would really prefer not to make this thread too political. I am just looking for an answer to this particular question. I am already on Medicare, but it is just not enough to keep me alive. I also am presently on my wife's employer's policy (very small company), and that is very beneficial to me, but I am looking to figure out if and how we will be able to full-time. I really don't want to list too many details here, but I do have a kidney transplant plus several other health problems. I have to take an incredible amount of medication, and hit my Medicare Part D prescription coverage "donut hole" pretty early in the year. I really need something, with prescription coverage, in addition to Medicare for when Georgia retires, but have to be able to afford it too. If anyone has some actual answers for me, please tell me where I can verify this type of information, other than reading the entire healthcare bill.

Thanks,
Jeff

Sadly, I put no trust in the government doing anything right.  There is this story about people getting the 8% "credit" for purchasing a home that now have to pay back the money that they were "credited".

http://realestate.msn.com/blogs/listedblogpost.aspx?post=1804249&_blg=1,1804249


Also, the health care bill was over 2000 pages long.  Within that length of a bill, there are numerous taxes and fees that will be kicking in long before anyone starts to see any benefits from the bill.  Not to mention the aspects that will be sure to come in the form of rationing, which will see them denying coverage to "certain" individuals.

Sorry, but I don't trust the government with ANY amount of money, let alone the trillion dollars that the health care bill will entail.  And, government is not famous for having programs or agencies that can make a profit.  Other than perhaps the hydro-electric generation systems, I doubt any government entity will effectively operate or manage any program or agency enough to be "profitable" or even effective.

And, as for government "promises", ask the native American Indians how that worked out for them.

Terry

I am totally with you Terry, and am relatively certain I would be one of those "certain individuals" you're talking about. I have friends in Canada that tell me what it's like needing a transplant in Canada. When you're as sick as I am, there just comes a time when you're considered a burden to society. Medicare, without private insurance, already informed me they would not pay for the transplant. It was my private insurance that covered it. They are happy to cover the immunosuppressant meds, but who needs those without the transplant? That's why I need something additional when she retires. I would shrivel up and die in a hurry if all I had was Medicare.