Med Student Insurance Help (Have Asthma)

[Alvarez13]

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Hey guys. I'm an MS-1 in FL who needs some help finding health insurance. I can't find what I need to know doing searches on here. I'm 25 yrs old so I can't be on my parent's plan. I worked for 3 yrs before starting school and just lost my employer coverage at work on 7/30/10. I wanted to know what some other grad students have done about individual insurance.

What really sucks is I have Asthma (since I was 5), so that makes everything way more complicated. I need a plan that provides decent Rx (flovent and singulair) and lets me keep in touch with my doctor on a regular basis. It would also be nice to be able to see an allergist/pulmonologist if things get worse. Dental would be nice, but I'll worry about that later.

I have the option to continue on my employer plan for 18 months under COBRA, but it's like $300/mo. I have also looked into my school option and they only provide $1000/yr for Rx's (singulair and flovent can run well over $200/mo combined with no insurance, so that $1000 will go fast).

Just want to see if anyone else has delt with pre-existing conditions and individual health insurance. Can't wait till 2014 when the pre-existing stuff is gone (thank you Obama for that at least 😀).

 

[justaregularmed]

You should read up on how pre-existing conditions really work friend.

 

[mvenus929]

Last time I switched insurance companies, I just had to prove that I had had insurance within the past 90 days for my new insurance company to cover pre-existing conditions. Since I didn't have that, they said they wouldn't cover it for 6 months after the start date. So, I don't know what insurance companies you've dealt with, but none that I've seen flat out deny preexisting conditions.

 

[J ROD]

Last time I switched insurance companies, I just had to prove that I had had insurance within the past 90 days for my new insurance company to cover pre-existing conditions. Since I didn't have that, they said they wouldn't cover it for 6 months after the start date. So, I don't know what insurance companies you've dealt with, but none that I've seen flat out deny preexisting conditions.

yeah, this is what I know....as long as you can prove cont. health coverage through a letter from your old insurance...

and I believe my school's health insurance was much better than that....should cover more $1000 (maybe I am misunderstanding that part)

 

[plauto]

$300 a month through COBRA is actually a good price, especially if it's a good plan. I would not put that to the side if I were you.

 

[Gabby]

I have the option to continue on my employer plan for 18 months under COBRA, but it's like $300/mo. I have also looked into my school option and they only provide $1000/yr for Rx's (singulair and flovent can run well over $200/mo combined with no insurance, so that $1000 will go fast).

As others have said, if you've had coverage until last month, they won't deny your pre-existing condition. That said, I'd jump on the COBRA if your employer's plan was good to begin with. There are posters on this forum alone paying twice that each month. Shop around to see if you can get a better deal, but $300 isn't outrageous.

 

[phospho]

dude, your asthma is not pre-existing. Have your current insurnace company give you a letter saying you were covered, and send it to the new guys.

 

[Alvarez13]

From what I've gathered, there is no problem with pre-existing conditions (asthma for example) when switching from one group to the next (old employer to new employer, etc.). However, when you go from a group to individual insurance, it seems like the plans with individual coverage can be a lot more picky about stuff like asthma. I've already been denied by Aetna for having it and I'm worried I'm going to get denied at other places, so I'm just trying to get as much info as I can before I begin this fight.

Like mvenus929 said, some companies will give you coverage for everything but your pre-existing condition for 6-12 months and then start covering you, but I havne't talked to enough places to get get a deal like that yet. I really would hate to have to pay for meds out of pocket for a year. Going to call BCBS (former provider as of 15 days ago) today and keep my fingers crossed for something good.

Thanks for the help thus far 😀

 

[justdoit31]

I would look into the AMSA insurance coverage- I have several people in my class who are on it and say the benefits/cost are much better than our schools. I personally don't know what they look like though because I am still under my parents but I will be paying close attention to this thread because once I turn 25 I will be in the same boat except I have 2 conditions that require several meds each month to treat.

Also, check with your school's student health program. Some programs have discounted trips to physicians through the schools and/or prescriptions (I believe here it is $10/visit for a PCP and most labs and then around $30 per script)

 

[LRAccord624]

I have also looked into my school option and they only provide $1000/yr for Rx's (singulair and flovent can run well over $200/mo combined with no insurance, so that $1000 will go fast).

You said you looked into your school plan, but have you actually talked to someone about it? The plan my school advertises covers ~$1000 as well, but you can actually get much more- you just have to apply for it and it obviously costs extra but not too much more. Your school may also cover one teeth-cleaning per year so that would take care of dental for you. I don't know much about the other plans b/c I'm still on my parent's insurance, but you might want to talk to someone in person if you haven't already.

 

[bassvp]

If you find that you're stuck not having your asthma covered for 6 months on a new plan, try to see if you can at least get a 90-day supply of your current meds somehow through your current plan. That should soften the blow.

 

[yellowumbrella]

while you figure out what long-term insurance you'll use in med school, i would encourage you to not have a gap in coverage, so they can't stick you with pre-existing in the future. it's worth the couple months of COBRA.

 

[DOwnage]

Those asthma meds are hella expensive.

On a side note:

I once new a Canadian man who went to Pharmacy School.

 

[Alvarez13]

Those asthma meds are hella expensive.

On a side note:

I once new a Canadian man who went to Pharmacy School.

Hahaha. I like.

I applied for United this weekend which seems to be the most lenient when it comes to individual insurance. If they say no, them I guess I'm going through my school and deal with the inadequate prescription coverage best I can...