Insurance Changes
With job changes come insurance changes as well. It's important to know your rights and the rules of the game. A lapse in insurance can be catastrophic for someone with a disease like multiple sclerosis.
With many treatments costing upwards of $10,000/year, insurance is a must for most of us. The way I understand it, in order to wave the pre-existing condition clause when signing up for new insurance, you must be able to prove that you have had continuous coverage over some period of time. If there is a lapse, then there is a lengthy waiting period before a new carrier has to cover treatment for your condition.
There are all kinds of crazy rules. I actually encourage people to go see "Sicko" by Michael Moore. Yes, it's extreme - but it opens your eyes to the dangerous parts of our healthcare system. And fear can be a good motivator to learn. I try to know as much as I can so that I can make informed decisions.
Anyone else have insurance stories/advice they want to share?
Comments
One slip on the precipice and your headed for oblivion. Makes me wonder if people are going to start to marry off ... not for a green card, but for a blue card of medical insurance.
Posted by: mdmhvonpa | March 25, 2008 06:47 PM
Thank you so much for the info on insurance. I had no idea about the bit on continous coverage. I have had MS for 2 years now and have had the same coverage for 6 years. My poor husband would really like to switch pharmacys (he's a pharmacist, nice to have around with all the stuff us MS'ers have to take)but he is so worried I will get denied coverage if he leaves where he is. So he stays and I feel horrible everytime he leaves for work cause I know he hates it there. Let us know how everything goes for you because it sounds like it might not be that scary to change...GOOD LUCK.
Posted by: Jeanette | March 29, 2008 02:55 PM